Page 64 of Merciless Monster

The end of summer is upon us. The color of the sky is changing ever so slightly. As a local, I notice it immediately. I get out of my car and walk over to a bench. I’ll wait here for Dante and enjoy the view of the ocean.

“Is this seat taken?” he says, startling me.

“Goodness. I was far away. Hi, babe.”

“Hi, yourself. You look so beautiful in this light.”

“You say the sweetest things, Mr. De Luca.”

“Let’s walk.”

“Okay.”

I take off my sandals and carry them in my hand. Dante takes off his shoes, rolls up his jeans, and takes my hand as we walk along the shore.

“It’s spectacular down here,” he muses.

“I know. This is my favorite beach. The surfers will be out soon.”

“Surfing was never my game but I appreciate the skill.”

“So, what did you want to talk about?”

“Our future.”

“Ooh, the future. Sounds serious.”

I’m being whimsical but the topic has me nervous. The future is a scary subject. I knew it would come up eventually. I was hoping for later rather than sooner. I don’t know if I’m ready to move to Italy. I assume that is something that Dante would want, seeing as his business and family are there.

“Let’s sit down for a bit,” Dante says and stops.

“Okay.”

His face is different. It’s as if he’s suddenly carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. The poor thing must worry that I won’t follow him to his homeland, when the truth is I’d follow this man just about anywhere in the world. Dante needn't worry.

“I need to tell you something,” he says once we’re seated on the sand.

I don’t say anything. I figure it will be easier if I let him speak.

“I’ve told you very little about what I do for a living. You have opened up to me and trusted me wholeheartedly about Angelo. So, I feel it’s only fair that I adopt the same policy of honesty with you.”

I take his hand and squeeze his fingers as a way of encouraging him to speak his mind.

“I’m an important man in Italy, Mia. As such, I have many friends and associates, but I also have my fair share of enemies.”

“Yeah, I gathered as much when you stumbled back into my life with a bullet wound.”

“That wasn’t supposed to happen, but, yes, that illustrates my point perfectly.”

“It’s alright, Dante. The world is a scary place sometimes. I get that. But my world is tough. I need you to know that but I also want to share the beauty and privilege with you. If you stay with me and join me when I go back to Italy, you’ll be a queen, Mia. You and Angelo will have anything and everything your hearts desire.”

“That’s quite a promise, Dante.”

“It’s true. I will give you anything you ask for.”

“That’s sweet, Dante, and very generous. But I don’t need vast amounts of wealth and privilege. Sure, it’s great, but that’s not why I’m with you. I love you and that’s enough for me.”

“You’re making this so hard, Mia,” he sighs.

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