Page 10 of Dane

CHAPTER 6

DANE

As we sat together finishing off our coffee, Aurora filled me in on her life before meeting me. She was happily married to a wealthy business tycoon named Carter Owens. She got pregnant but miscarried once and became a widow ten years ago when Carter was shot in the face at point-blank range in a bathroom at the newly built Borgata Casino in Atlantic City. Her life was turned upside down, and she felt cursed never to have children.

After that one night we spent together, we parted ways, both of us feeling sexually satisfied. Aurora knew of my notorious reputation in Atlantic City, and I knew she didn’t want any part of it. When Aurora found out she was pregnant with Michael, her happiness was vibrant, and she was also afraid, but there was no way she could terminate the pregnancy.

When Michael was born, all her fears set in. She wanted a good life for Michael and didn’t want him to live in my dangerous world. She also feared that I would take Michael away from her.

Aurora was known as the Maryland Madam. She was just as filthy rich as any of the corrupt businessmen in the Nation’s Capital. She was able to keep Michael a secret, only employing her nanny, Anna, to help raise him. But then Nick and Jimmy Caruso found out about Michael six months ago. They threatened Aurora with telling me about Michael and seized all control of her escort business in Georgetown. That’s why Jimmy kidnapped Gina to get to me and wipe out my family.

I was heir to my father, Marco Neri’s empire. Marco Neri, one of the biggest crime bosses that ruled over his businesses from New Jersey, New York, and Chicago.

After he was killed, his capos and their soldiers swore allegiance to me. I only kept some of the very few men loyal to him and killed off the rest – those who betrayed my family and ratted my father to the Feds. They were killed off swiftly, and I took control of their businesses which gained me even more power than my father ever had.

I had a good crew of men with only a few I had to set straight when they got out of line, trying to make side money for themselves. I was the King, and everyone in the dirty city knew not to do business outside my corrupt network without my permission.

I’d kept so much rage bottled up inside me for years. It was all I had so I could hold on to memories of my dead parents. Rage kept my blood pumping, giving me the purpose to keep on living. Everyone in my corrupt world was the enemy. I only trusted a few people with my life – Nolan Reynolds and Push being those few.

The moment I saw Michael, everything changed in the blink of an eye. It felt like seeing the world in black and white for so long, then it suddenly snapping to color. But the feeling of fear gripped me suddenly, like a stone plummeting to the pit of my stomach. It was the fear of loss—the fear of losing my child.

I helped Rory clean up after the breakfast she made for us, then waited as she went to take a shower. I watched as Michael walked alongside Anna back up to the house. His face was flushed, and his nose was pink from the sun, wearing a pair of shades small enough to fit him. His little feet and flip flops were caked with sand as he stepped inside from the back patio.

Anna called out to Michael as she followed after him inside, “You need to take those flip-flops off before going inside, Michael.” When she saw me, she had the same look of wariness in her eyes.

Aurora entered the kitchen, dressed comfortably in a pair of yoga pants that hugged her nice toned legs and ass with a red tank. Her wet hair was combed out, and her face was free of any make-up. She was a natural beauty. Simply gorgeous.

Michael stopped and turned back around, stepping out on the deck to remove his flip-flops.

I sat back on the kitchen bar stool when Michael walked up to me and opened his palm. He had a handful of tiny seashells. “I found all these she-shells, Mister Neri!”

I shot my brows up with a look of surprise. “Very impressive!”

“He collects the shells and puts them in the jar on the counter over there,” Aurora said, pointing to the jar on the kitchen counter.

Michael placed the tiny shells into Aurora’s hand. “I’m taken a baff now, Mommy.” Then he turned and ran down the hall to the stairs, with Anna rushing after him.

Aurora walked over to the kitchen sink. “Do you want me to sit with you and Michael when you tell him?”

I came to stand behind her and placed my hands on her shoulders. “Yes, Rory, I do.”

She turned around and looked up into my eyes. “I’m sorry, Dane. I should’ve told you about Michael when he was born…”

My desire for her was too strong. As she continued to speak, I pulled her close and cut her off with a kiss.

She tasted minty. I moved my hands down to her hips, pulling her closer. I deepened the kiss, sliding my tongue through her lips. She moaned as her hands gripped my shoulders.

I released her then. “You can make it up to me now. I know it’s dangerous to live in my world, Rory. But I promise you, with all that I am and all that I have, you and Michael will be safe and protected.”

***

Aurora sat with me in her living room when Michael entered clean wearing fresh clothes. His dark hair was still wet but combed, and his nose was still pink from the sun.

Aurora placed her hand on the couch between us. “Michael, come here and sit with Mr. Neri and me.”

Anna busied herself in the kitchen to give us some privacy, which I appreciated.

Michael smiled as he climbed on the couch, sitting between us. He stretched out his little legs and placed his hands on his lap. I’d seen some of my cousins’ little kids his age. Most of them couldn’t sit still for more than ten seconds before being distracted by something or someone. But Michael seemed calm or subdued in comparison.

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