Page 83 of Beautiful Revenge

Finn

Dante’s private doctor is a man named Stevenson who lives ina brownstone in a nice part of the city. Guess being a doctor to the Mafia pays well. The one perk is that there are no guards out front.

But if Dante is inside, then he’ll have guards around him, especially if he’s weak right now. He knows I’m out here looking for him. He won’t be able to take any chances.

“Maybe I should go in and talk to him first,” Aria offers. I bought her actual clothes to wear since we both figured Dante wouldn’t appreciate seeing her in nothing but my t-shirt. The shirt and pants on her are a bit baggy. She didn’t want any tight clothing to dig into her cuts. That’s why I’m doing this. Aria got hurt partly because of me. And I’m starting to really care about her.

Fuck, I’m becoming whipped for a girl and I can’t say I’m mad about it. I just don’t want it to lead to my downfall.

“No,” I say. “We go in together. I promise I’ll try not to kill any of Dante’s guards but if any of them come at me, I’ll have no choice.”

“Then let me go in first. They won’t shoot me. I’ll be safe,” she adds when I hesitate.

“Fine.”

Aria leads the way to the front door where she rings the doorbell. I stay partially hidden so that the doctor will answer the door. If he sees me, he might turn around and run.

The door cracks open. “Yes?” It’s Stevenson alright.

“I’m Aria Romano. I’m here to see Dante.”

“Aria? As in Elio’s daughter?”

“Yes.”

“Dante’s been talking about you ever since he got here. Come in.”

She steps into the house and that’s when I make myself known. The doctor stumbles back as I walk into the house.

“I’m not here to kill you,” I mutter, shutting the door behind me. “Where’s Dante?”

“He’s my patient. I can’t let you kill him.”

I sigh. “I’m not here to kill him. Just tell me where he is.”

“I promise,” Aria adds. “We’re just here to talk to him. Besides, doesn’t Dante have guards?”

“One.”

“See? So he’s safe. He practically raised me. I would never be here with Finn if I wanted Dante dead.”

Stevenson slowly nods. “He’s down the hall in the back bedroom.”

I motion with my hand. “Lead the way.”

Stevenson grumbles to himself as we go to the bedroom. “Dante? There are two people here to see you,” he says as he pushes the door open.

Dante is on a bed, his entire chest covered in gauze. Black circles run around his eyes. Dante is a handsome fucker but right now, he looks more like the grim reaper than a model.

“Dante,” Aria gasps, running into the room.

A man steps into Aria’s path. It’s then that I see that it’s Matteo. Of course it fucking is. He was always too high and mighty for my tastes when I used to work with him and Dante.

“Aria?” Matteo asks. “Finn?”

“We’re not here to hurt anyone,” Aria explains. “I just wanted to see Dante. That’s all. Let me talk to him. Please.”

Matteo eyes me over with distrust. “He can wait outside.”

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