Page 36 of Don't Break My Heart
He shrugs. “You can’t, but you wouldn’t be my girl if you didn’t try.”
I can’t help the smile that comes across my face. They are both here suffering every day I delay this decision, but they still back me one hundred percent.
“Don’t come any closer,” I hear Onyx growl in a way that makes me jump out of my skin.
I turn quickly to see Dante approaching us with another couple of men in black tailored suits at his sides. He stops, keeping his distance, looking me over with a cautious curiosity. “Miss Stryker.” He greets me with way too much familiarity, like the two of us are old friends.
“I’m surprised to see you here.” Even more surprised he would approach me at an event like this. Very brazen.
“Paying our respects.” He motions to the congregation, and I spy three Moretti brothers now watching us, their faces steely cold.
I nod, pursing my lips as I look him and his two men over. “You’re either stupid or brave. Either way, there must be a good reason you chose to risk your life today,” I say, getting right to the point. We have about three seconds before this little chat turns into all-out war.
“I hear you didn’t sign the organization over to Valentine. Have you thought more about my offer?” His lips quirk up at the sides cheekily.
“Very presumptuous, Dante. Maybe I intend to stay and run the organization myself.” I feel the way Reef stiffens beside me. Onyx doesn’t bother hiding his growl of disapproval. They have all been on edge since I didn’t sign the papers for Valentine, and this might just tip them over it. Supporting me but on edge just the same. I think they finally realized I have more power than any of them thought.
Dante’s lips twist up at the sides. “We both know that’s not what you want.”
I raise a brow, crossing my arms over my chest. “No one knows what I want, Dante.”
Amusement dances in his eyes. “I can take a few guesses, but since we’re running out of time, I have set up a meeting on neutral ground. Ten p.m. tonight. Let me lay my cards on the table and give you a little more insight into the Moretti family.” He reaches out and hands me a business card with a scribbled address on it in black marker, his phone number on the other side.
I look over the card, running my thumb over the embossed paper, not sure what to do. I’m curious as to what he thinks I can do for him. I can’t hand the organization over to him, I don’t have the power to do anything of the sort. My only option is to either run the organization myself like Emilio set up or to hand it over to the next in line, which should be Orlando, but since both he and Romeo have no interest, it will be Valentine. But Dante has me curious. I want to know more about his connection to the family and why his sister ended up married to an asshole like Valentine.
“Step away from her,” Onyx barks.
Reef’s hand comes to my waist, tugging me back toward him and away from Dante. I feel Onyx’s hand at my other hip as well, their mask of protection firmly in place.
“Tonight, Miss Stryker,” he says again with way too much confidence, then he and his men walk away.
Onyx locks eyes with me. “Don’t even think about it, trouble.”
“What the fuck does Dante want?” Romeo snarls out from behind me.
I flick the card, my mind made up. “That’s what I’m going to find out tonight.”
Romeo’s eyes flare with anger, but his brother steps in between us.
“Like hell you are.” Orlando tugs me toward him, pulling me around the other side of the tree, caging me in as he stares down at me, his nostrils flaring. “How do you know Dante?” he roars.
Romeo comes to stand beside him, the two of them a sight in their jet-black suits. “Yeah, doll face, why was he talking to you just now?” Their handsome faces are harsher than usual. I look between them, trying to understand what their relationship with Dante is. They looked friendly enough at the ball the other night. Is this just a jealousy thing or is there really something to worry about here?
“I met him at the ball the other night.” I shrug it off like it’s no big deal.
Orlando’s eyes narrow in on me, and I see the barely controlled rage bubbling up inside of him. “Stay the fuck away from him. He’s dangerous.”
I tilt my head up toward him defiantly. “Don’t push me, Orlando. I have been very patient with all of you.” I look at Romeo as well just so he knows he’s not excluded from this. “But you don’t own me. You can’t tell me who I can and can’t see. If I think it’s smart to go see him tonight, I will.”
His grip on me tightens. I match his steely gaze with my ice-queen one.
I trail my fingers up his neck and into the base of his hair. I dig my nails in just a little, a playful threat not to fuck with me and to show him he doesn’t intimidate me with this whole standing-over-me thing he’s doing. “Maybe it’s time for you to trust me, dear husband.”
“Trust.” He huffs out a bitter laugh.
“Why is this the first we’re hearing of you meeting him at the ball?” Romeo backs him up, the two of them working together.
“Did either of you tell me about every conversation you had that night?” I snip back, knowing all too well they have left out every detail of their conversation with Dante, even though I saw it with my own two eyes.
