Page 154 of Dex

“How do I know this isn’t just another Knight maneuver?”she asks quietly.“Another play to protect the brand?”

Smart woman.I see her brain working, trying to triple-check this is real.Not taking my word at face value.“Because there’s no angle here, Daniela.No strategy.I’m not saving a company.I’m saving us.”

She presses against me, her head resting against my chest.I’ve missed this.Her touch, her words, her wisdom.I hate being alone and I plan to never be without her.I wrap my arms around her protectively.“I didn’t sleep that night,” needing her to know why I worked such late nights.“I hatched a rough plan.The next day, I called Rio.Together with Matteo and Enzo, we worked on it.”

She moves her head up, her brow lifting in quiet surprise.“You worked with them all?”

I nod.“Amazing, isn’t it, what family will do.”The weight of it settles in my chest like a punch.I’ve always called them the Italian Knights, like we were somehow different species, not born of the same blood.But somewhere in the simmering resentment, something changed.Despite everything the old man did to divide us, we showed up.We fought together.And in that moment, I realized he’ll never win.

Because blood is thicker than all the lies.

“We would work late into the night, at Rio’s place.We couldn’t do it at work.Needed the old man to think we were still enemies.”A smile crosses my lips just thinking about it.“We worked at Rio’s, over pizza and beer.That’s where I was.I couldn’t tell you, because I didn’t want to endanger anything.I didn’t want to give you hope until I knew things were working.It’s a delicate plan, requiring lots of little parts, and it will take time.I’ll explain it later, but I need you to believe me that I was there.You can ask Rio, Matteo and Enzo.”

“You came,” she whispers, her eyes searching mine.

I nod.“I couldn’t let you go.Because I didn’t realize just how much I needed you, until I lost you.Because I believed I hurt the people I love, destroyed them, and you taught me better.You showed me there was another way.It didn’t feel like winning, losing you.And now …” I press another kiss against her lips.“We win together, your family wins.Paul Knight loses.”

“Does he know?”she asks.

“Not yet.This deal will take a while to shake out, but it’s happening.Don’t you worry.”I nuzzle my nose against her, eliciting a giggle.Her expression relaxes.The tightness around her eyes disappears.I realize how close I came to losing her.Dinner with Ramos.A wedding would have followed soon.I can’t bear to think about it.

“You broke me, when you left, Daniela.”

“I’m sorry.”She lets out a shaky breath, her eyes boring into me.Then her fingers curl around my wrist, and she leans into me.“I hated myself for leaving,” she breathes.“Every second was hard.But I thought you’d already made your choice.”

“I did.”I step closer, our foreheads nearly touching now.“I chose you.I’ve always chosen you.I just didn’t say it fast enough.”

Her lips tremble and her arms wrap around my neck.My arms slide around her waist.My insides flutter with the familiarity of her heady scent.She intoxicates me, soothes me.

“I missed you, amor.”I press a kiss to her lips.

“I’ve missed you I don’t ever want to be apart again.”

“Then don’t ever run from me again, amor.”My voice is a whisper, to her upturned mouth.“You’re the only one for me, Daniela.Always.”

Chapter 40

DANI

I worry Oscar might do something vengeful to Dexter, but then I remember the Knights.A formidable force.Oscar Ramos would never touch them.

That night, we sit around the table; my parents, and I, with Dexter.Talking, laughing, sharing.Just like families do.

Later, before we go up to sleep, Dexter gives me a moment.I sit on the veranda with Papai.He’s tired.Still recovering from everything, but there’s a light in his eyes I haven’t seen in weeks.

“Your husband is a good man,” he says, voice low.

I chuckle.“He’s not my husband, Papai.We’re divorced.”

I hear a low gasp.

“But this time, I feel that when we marry, it will be for real.”I say it without hesitation, as if getting married again to Dexter is the most natural thing in the world.As easy, as natural and as necessary as breathing.

“He’s not Paul Knight,” Papai adds.“He’s earned our respect.Yours most of all.”

I smile softly.“He did more than that.He gave us a second chance.”I don’t voice my next words, but Dexter rescued me.I never thought I needed rescuing, because I’ve always prided myself on being a strong woman, but I’d signed a pact with the devil, a pact that meant I’d have to share Ramos’ bed.It scared me.I shiver.Dexter rescued me from that.He knew I’d do anything for my family.Eventhat.

Papai squeezes my hand.“You were always strong, filha.But the two of you are stronger together.Did you know he would come for you?”

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