Page 22 of Amethyst Queen
Chapter 18
Dante was restless as he laid staring at his ceiling. After the encounter with Amalee earlier, he was more confused than ever. His mind couldn’t grasp the fact he had a son, or that she’d lied about him. Beneath the anger, though, he still felt love for her. Spending a better part of his life as her parent's constable, he knew how her mother felt. She’d had this idea in her head Amalee would marry the perfect man – that not being him. After their kiss, Amalee had peeled herself off his lap and told him he deserved someone better than her, that she didn’t deserve his forgiveness. Dante let her leave. But now, lying in the darkness of his room, he knew it was a mistake.
He should have known something was wrong when she abruptly left for college, cutting all ties with him. Hell, he beat himself up daily for not going after her. Had he chased her there, maybe things would be different. He wondered what his son looked like… did he have her green eyes or his brown? Was his skin a blend of her fair tone and his deep brown shade?
Dante slipped his feet from the bed onto the icy floor. His elbows pressed into his knees as his head rested in his palms. He needed to see her. Taking a deep breath, he stood and pulled on his jeans. Padding across the tiled floor, his bare feet barely making a sound, he pulled open the door. He would get answers from her tonight.
Standing in front of her door, he listened for any sign she was awake. Not hearing a noise, he pushed the heavy door open and slipped inside. Carefully closing it behind him, he leaned against the hard-wooden entry.
Even in the dim light of the moon, he could see her lying on her side beneath the covers. His heart pounded like a piston inside his chest as he stared at her still form.
“Dante?” Her head tilted up as she looked in his direction and turned on her bedside light. “What are you doing here?”
“I needed to see you.”
She scooted up in the bed, the sheet sliding down as she did. Dante’s eyes roamed over the tiny tank top, causing her nipples to harden. Clutching the thin covering, Amalee pulled it back against her chest.
“It’s the middle of the night. Couldn’t this have waited until morning?”
Dante stepped to the bed and eased himself onto the edge of the mattress, “No. Amalee,” he brushed a loose strand from her face, “it couldn’t.”
Amalee stared into his eyes, confusion riddling her mind. “There’s nothing else to say…”
“That’s where you're wrong, my little gem.” He didn’t give her a chance to reply before his lips were claiming hers. His fingers wound through her hair, tugging her mouth against his. When his lips finally broke from hers, her breathing matched his erratic heart. “I’m angry that I left you to handle everything alone. I’m angry you didn’t tell me, even though I understand why. But most of all, I’m angry that you think I could stop loving you.”
Amalee sucked in a sharp breath, “What?”
“I love you. I never stopped loving you. And despite the lies, I don’t want to walk away from you. I can’t. My heart aches for the things you kept from me, but it aches more, thinking I’ve lost your love.”
Amalee closed her eyes, wetness gathering at their edge, “You haven’t lost me… I meant what I said earlier, you deserve someone better, but it doesn’t change the fact I will go to my grave loving you.”
Dante pulled her against his chest, “I don’t want anyone better, I want you.”
“I gave up our son,” Amalee’s breath hitched just as the tears let loose.
Dante held her firm, never letting her go as the sadness washed over her. His eyes welled, knowing the regret she carried inside her, knowing the heartache she felt for him and losing their son.
“I’ll do everything I can to bring him home. You have my word.”
“What if…” her sobs shook her tiny frame in his.
“Don’t say that, Amalee. You have to believe we will find him.”
Nodding against his chest, “I’ll fry everyone who tries to stop me.”
“That’s my girl. Now,” He pushed her back, “you need to rest. We can look over everything Commander Gentry has in the morning.” Pressing a kiss to her lips, he peeled himself from her arms and stood.
“Dante?” Amalee tilted her head, her eyes swollen from her tears, “Will you stay with me tonight? Please?”
Running his palm over his face, “Are you sure? What if your mother finds out?”
“I’ve told my parents – besides, I really don’t care about her opinion anymore. Please?” she patted the space beside her, “I don’t want to be alone.”
“Fine,” he moved around the side of the bed and stripped his jeans before crawling beneath the covers. Laying on his side, he pulled her against his bare chest and kissed her head, “Close your eyes and sleep. I promise not to leave.”
Dante listened as her breathing evened out, and her body relaxed against him. Her scent wrapped around him as he buried his face into her hair and closed his eyes. They still had a few hurdles to get over, but he had no intention of walking away from her. And when they found their son, he’d make sure they were safe – forever.
