Page 84 of Beautiful Revenge

“No,” I say, planting myself against the doorframe. “I’m not leaving Aria alone so you guys can steal her back. She’s my wife now.”

“Let her on through,” Dante croaks, motioning Aria over. Matteo steps out of the way and Aria runs to his side. I keep an eye on things. Matteo gives me a pointed look that says ‘don’t try anything.’

I’m not going to risk Aria’s safety. Matteo would never hurt her but if he tried to kill me, a bullet could go wide and end up shooting Aria. That’s something I won’t take a chance on.

“Aria,” Dante says. She grabs his hand.

“I’m here. What happened?”

“He suffered from blood loss,” the doctor says, eyeing me over with distrust. “A few cracked ribs. But he was shot in the stomach and I had to perform surgery on him. He should be all right now but it will take a while for him to heal.”

“Viktor really got you, didn’t he?” I comment.

“No thanks to you,” Dante snaps back.

“Enough,” Aria says. “I’m here. I just wanted to make sure you were ok.”

“I’m alive. And what about you? You have all your limbs which is good. But I know Finn. Tell me. How did he hurt you?”

Aria glances at me before she turns back to Dante. “Finn actually saved my life. From that hitman, Sal. Sal… tortured me.”

Dante’s grip tightens on Aria’s hand. I can see it all the way across the room. “Why?”

“Because Sal is crazy,” I explain.

“Finn, let me talk,” Aria snaps. With an eye roll, I stay quiet. “Sal was trying to kill Finn and he found me instead. He hurt me but… Finn saved my life. That has to count for something.”

“Why did Sal find you and not Finn?”

“He… was out on business.”

Dante scoffs. “Right. Business trying to take me down. Trying to kill me. So, it’s his fault you were tortured by some crazy man.”

“Not fully his fault. Sal is just insane. That had nothing to do with Finn and you know it.”

“How do I know it, Aria? I haven’t been around you and Finn since he kidnapped you. Why does it sound like you’re trying to defend him?”

“I’m not.” But her tone says otherwise. She sighs. “Dante, listen. Finn took a risk in taking me to see you. I had to see you. Had to make sure you’re all right. Finn knew that coming here could lead to his death but he still took me to see you. That means something.”

“He still kidnapped you.”

“And you kidnapped Nadia and look at you two now,” she snaps. “I know you’re trying for a baby. You’re starting a family with her all because you kidnapped her. I don’t think you have the right to judge Finn in that regard.”

“You’re like a daughter to me. That’s the difference.”

Aria rolls her eyes. “And you’re being stubborn. This could be your chance to make amends with Finn.”

“I’ve tried to make amends.” Dante sits up and groans in pain before slumping back onto the bed. Matteo hovers nearby like the nervous fucking nelly he is. “But Finn kept fucking it up. He sided with Viktor. Went to war with him. I can never trust him again. He kidnapped you, Aria, to get back to me. Just because he brought you here doesn’t change anything.”

“You’re hurt right now,” she murmurs. “Just rest.”

“No. Finn will take you away again and I’ll never see you. You’ll be gone. I can’t let either of you leave.”

“Finn will shoot Matteo if you don’t let us leave. He’ll probably kill you too. You know that.”

Dante gives her a smug look. “And that’s why I know I can’t trust him.”

She scoffs. “This is your chance to make peace. You could have died going after Viktor. We’re only having this conversation by some miracle. Finn brought me here because he cares for me. I know it. I can bridge the gap between you two. You can make peace again. Go after Viktor. Take him down. Be in full power once again.”

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