Page 67 of Merciless Monster

“Ourson, Mia. Don’t forget that. I love him too and I will never allow any harm to come to him. Or to you, my love. I can protect you both in Italy. My family is there. I want you to be a part of that.”

Mia’s eyes are downcast. She’s been distant since I shared my secret with her at the pier. My heart aches, but I know I have to give her time to process no matter how hard this is for me. I’m a man who gets what he wants. People acquiesce to my every command. I’m not accustomed to taking no or maybe for an answer. But love does crazy things to a man’s resolve.

“I’ll leave a man behind to keep an eye on you and our son.”

“That’s not necessary, babe. No one cares about me. You’re the one who seems to attract trouble.”

That statement hurts. I suspect it’s because Mia’s right. Iamthe object of conflict. It would seem as if I was born with a target on my back.

“Just in case. Please, my love.”

“Okay,” she sighs. “Do you have everything?”

“Yeah, I’m all packed.”

I’m leaving today. The hollow feeling in the pit of my stomach won’t go away no matter how much I tell myself that I’m doing the right thing. I’ve been in America, away from my business and family, for six months now. I can't stay any longer. If it weren’t for Mia and Angelo I would have left the moment I killed Kyle. But I just couldn’t bring myself to do so. Now, it’s time.

Angelo is at school. Mia and I sat him down last night and told him that Daddy had to go away on a trip. He’s too little to understand the implications of what’s happening and neither Mia nor I wish to upset him. So, until Mia decides she’s ready to join me in Rome, she and I will maintain a united front for the sake of our son.

“I don’t want to leave you behind, Mia. I love you,” I say, hugging her tightly, storing up lungfuls of her fragrant hair.

“I don’t want you to go, either, Dante. I just need some time to adjust to my new reality.”

“Don’t take too long, my love. I’ll call you when I get to Rome.”

“Thank you. Be safe. Take care of yourself, Dante. Stay out of trouble. No more bullets, okay?”

“Sure,” I smile. “Thank you for saving my life, my gorgeous woman. I’ll miss you terribly.”

“I’ll miss you too.”

“Take good care of our boy.”

“Always.”

I wipe a tear from her cheeks and give her one last kiss before I get into the car that will take me away from the love of my life. I watch Mia standing in the driveway, waving, as the car pulls off. I keep looking until the vehicle enters the bend and I cannot see her anymore. She’s gone. It feels like someone has just reached into my chest and ripped out my heart. I’ve never felt pain like this before, and I’ve been stabbed, shot, and severely beaten in my lifetime. This pain is different. It’s far too real. So much for being a tough guy.

Mia’s scent lingers in my nostrils from when she was in my arms. The woman I love is on my skin and in the fiber of my clothes, but more importantly, she’s chiseled into the chambers of my heart. Talk about slow torture.

Come on, Dante. What are you? A lovesick simpleton? Pull yourself together! You’re a De Luca and you’ve got work to do. She’ll come around. Mia loves you.

“Are you okay, Boss?”

“Mind your own business,” I snap. “Just drive.”

“Yes, Sir.”

I’m not used to being vulnerable. The suit doesn’t fit me terribly well. I refuse to show weakness in front of my men. That kind of Nancy pants shit gets you killed.

“Is the jet ready for take off?”

“Yes, Boss.”

“Then let’s get to it.”

I left Paolo behind. He is the best man for the job, plus I know he’d give his life to keep Mia and Angelo safe. At least I know that no harm will come to my little family.

Family. It isn’t official, but that’s exactly what Mia and Angelo are to me. As soon as the woman I love tells me she’s ready to join me in Italy, I’m going to ask her to be my wife. So, instead of feeling sorry for myself I’m going to focus on securing a solid future for the three of us. This is my mission.

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