Page 119 of Dex

“Don’t ever scare me like that again.”

“I’ll try not to.”She giggles.

“It’s not a laughing matter.You’re the victim of a mugging.”

“He didn’t take anything.”

“The fucker tried.Tell me what happened.”

She does, reciting it like it’s the most boring piece of news she has for me.

“Unfuckingbelievable.”My blood boils.Daniela is my responsibility.She’s my wife.I’m supposed to protect her and I let her down.“I’m sorry this happened to you.”

“It’s not your fault, Dexter.I’m not hurt.”

“Your lip is cut.It’s bleeding.You’ll have a scar.I’ll get my assistant to set up a meeting with a plastic surgeon tomorrow.”

She roars with laughter.That same rich, vibrant laugh I’ve heard before.“You will do no such thing, Dexter.If this leaves a scar, I really don’t care.I’ll wear it like a badge of pride.”

I shake my head, staring at her in disbelief, trying to understand her reaction.How this is no big deal to her.It’s a big fucking deal.My wife was attacked, and I wasn’t around to protect her.Rage courses through my veins and I feel the urge to punch the wall.

Daniela points to her lip.“This wasn’t him.I hit the side of a car wing mirror.But you should see the guy.”Her face lights up, like she’s telling me a funny story.“I elbowed him in the ribs and kicked him between the legs.”She looks gleeful, but it does nothing to assuage my guilt or worry.This could have been so much worse.Someone could have kidnapped her, stabbed her.Shot her.

“I failed you.”

She dismisses my comment with a wave of her hand, and a giggle.“How?I’m a black belt in jiu-jitsu.You don’t have to worry about me.”

“You’re my wife.”

She sits up, blinking at me.As if my words don’t make sense.We’re husband and wife on paper, but right now, she’s my wife for real.She’s someone I care about.

“I’ll be right back.”I rush to get my first aid kit, then come back, with a sterile wipe with which I clean her wound gently.She watches me the entire time, saying nothing.

“You need a security detail,” I mutter more to myself than to her.“I should have thought about this before.”I’ve overlooked the most basic and most important thing of all.We all have bodyguards.They’re discreet and invisible.We don’t need all need our individual ones when we’re together, like we were for the wedding in Brazil.But Daniela clearly needs her own detail for when she goes out.

I’m sure Jett must have provided something for Cari because people can get to us through those we love.I make a note to deal with this straightaway.

Of course, the news spreads.The police weren’t involved, but the media picked it up because people recorded it and when they found out who Daniela was, my wife, the media outlets got interested.

My father calls, and he’s livid.He must answer to Daniela’s parents.I do, too.Later that evening Jett, Cari, Brooke and Zach all come over, bearing flowers and chocolates and magazines for Daniela, who beams and looks so happy.She has to recite her ordeal all over again.Then Rio calls, and has a word with her and then he puts Matteo and Enzo on the line, too.

I’m a little overwhelmed by all this attention, and a part of me wonders if the Italian Knights are going along with the act, pretending we’re all family and showing concern for Daniela who has married into it.

She’s an innocent bystander in this warped family.

But maybe, despite everything, we are a family?

Chapter 30

DANI

Dexter is making such a big deal about the cut on my lip.I’ve looked in the mirror and while it’s noticeable, it’s no big deal.

He thinks I need to go to the hospital, see a doctor, maybe get a stitch.I assure him I’ll be fine.He’s being too much.Too concerned.Too … worried.

“You’re beautiful.I just don’t want you to have a scar.”

He’s trying so hard not to look like he cares, but I see it in his eyes.“You don’t need to fuss over me so much.”

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