Page 33 of Savage Union
Sunlight streamingthrough the floor-to-ceiling windows wakes me, momentarily disorienting me before I remember where I am. I give myself a second before opening my eyes fully. Vito's gone. The sheets are slightly disturbed where he slept, still holding a faint warmth that tells me he hasn't been gone long. I didn't even feel him leave the bed. There's no trace of him—no cold, imposing figure trapping me beneath him, no voice that makes my pulse race with fear and something else I refuse to acknowledge. Just the stillness that makes me feel... strangely alone.
I sit up, rubbing my eyes, sleep still clinging to my limbs like cobwebs. The weight of last night still presses on me—his presence, his dominance, the way he made it clear that everything in this world, even me, belongs to him. But that's nothing new. He's the Don of the Italian Mafia, for fuck's sake. What's new is how it feels waking up without him.
I don't have much time to dwell on it. The door opens, and Antonia walks in, this time with none of the silent treatment from yesterday.
"Good morning, Miss Rina."
"Hmm, not really. Since I'm not ready to get out of bed." The annoyance in my voice is unmistakable.
"I'm sorry. Don Vito has ordered you to get out of bed and eat breakfast. You need your strength." I look at the clock on the dresser. It's seven in the morning. What the hell is wrong with him?
"I'm not hungry."
"Miss Rina, you can't skip meals. The Don wants to ensure you are healthy." There's something almost maternal in her tone now, a stark contrast to yesterday's cold efficiency.
"Sure, go with that." I slide out of bed, the silk nightgown falling around my thighs. I tug it down self-consciously, hating how exposed I feel.
"If it helps," Antonia adds, not meeting my eyes, "Dante will wait in the kitchen for you. He has something for you."
Something about the information makes me curious enough to hurry. I barely take time to splash water on my face and run fingers through my tangled hair before heading downstairs, still in Vito's silk nightgown. Whatever Dante has, it must be important if Antonia thought it would motivate me.
Dante sits at the breakfast table, spinning a small black object on its edge like a coin trick. When he sees me, his serious expression breaks into an amused smirk.
"Morning, princess. Nice outfit." He nods at the nightgown. "Very royal."
I cross my arms over my chest. "Shut up."
"And charming as ever." He slides the object—a cell phone—across the table. "Your royal communication device, Your Highness."
I eye it suspiciously. "What's the catch?"
"No catch." He leans back in his chair, the picture of casual ease. "Boss said to give you a phone. I gave you a phone. Though I suggested one of those giant early 2000s ones with the antenna—you know, to match your sunny personality." His grin widens. "Boss didn't go for it."
Despite everything, I almost smile. Almost. "Very funny."
"I try." He pushes the phone closer. "It's got four numbers programmed. Boss, your mom, your sister, and yours truly for when you inevitably need rescuing from yourself."
I take the phone cautiously, as if it might bite. It feels strange in my hand. A gift from Vito? It seems unlike the monster I've come to know, too good to be true. Is this a trap? Vito doesn't strike me as the type to give anything without hidden strings attached.
But here it is—a cell phone with the numbers that mean the world to me.
My heart twists in my chest. I don't understand his motive. This glimpse at something more complex beneath the layers of ruthlessness and control confuses me. I nod slowly, not trusting myself to speak at first.
"Thank you," I manage, my voice softer than I intended.
"Don't thank me. Thank the boss." Dante stands, stretching. "Though if you want to show gratitude, you could try not destroying any more of his property. My job's hard enough without you going all paper-shredder vigilante on me."
"I'll take it under consideration."
"Generous of you." He grabs another apple from the fruit bowl, tossing it in the air and catching it. "I'll be nearby if you need anything. Try not to need anything."
"Where's Vito?" I ask before I can stop myself.
Dante's eyebrows shoot up. "Miss him already? It's only been—what—seven hours since he had you pinned to the mattress?" At my horrified expression, he holds up his hands defensively. "Ease up, princess. Security cameras, remember? I'm just messing with you."
My face burns with humiliation. "You're disgusting."
"Part of my charm." He takes a bite of the apple, speaking around it. "Boss is handling business. He'll be back tonight for dinner. Try not to burn the place down before then." He winks and saunters out, leaving me with the phone and my mortification.
