Page 61 of Damaged & Deadly

He laughs, a truly warm and genuine sound that sinks into my bones and stays there, warming me from the inside out. “I guess that’s what it is.”

“But you don’t see anything more with him?”

“I don’t think so. It’s sex and friendship.”

“Isn’t that what any relationship is?”

“Don’t get me wrong, Dante and I have fun together, but we have you now. We’d easily set aside everything else for you.”

I chew on my bottom lip before daring to ask, “What if I don’t want you to?”

My question is followed by a second of silence before Enzo laughs. “You naughty girl, do you get off on the thought of us together? Or maybe you like the thought of the three of us together? Me fucking you while Dante fucks me?”

“Yes,” I gasp, not realizing how badly I wanted that until just this second. “That. I want that.”

“So fucking filthy,” Enzo purrs approvingly right before a scuffle breaks out in the background.

“Fucking hell, man, chill out! She’s fine… yeah, yeah.” There’s a rustle down the line before Dante’s harsh tone filters down the line.

“Why the hell didn’t you answer my call earlier?”

“Oh, I didn’t know you phoned. I was asleep.”

“Don’t make me follow through on my promise,” he threatens, reminding me that he was dead serious when he said he’d come and get me if I didn’t go to them first. Despite the steel in his voice, concern rings with every syllable.

“I’m fine,” I assure him. “We got back to the clubhouse safely. It’s yourselves that you need to worry about.”

Dante scoffs. “You think my father will leave the Rejects alone? He saw them on the cameras. He knows they’re involved. We’re all dead men walking.”

Well, if that doesn’t make my empty stomach constrict and threaten to revolt.

“The Rejects are prepared for any threat,” I assure him, secretly hoping that’s the case. Has Cain even had time to amp up security around here?

Another infuriating scoff passes his lips, clearly not believing me. “I can guarantee you they are not prepared for my father.”

“Then they’ll get prepared,” I snap irritably. “Don’t underestimate them. They aren’t like any other gang in Black Creek.”

“And neither is the Antonelli Famiglia,” he argues. “We have men, money, and resources at our disposal, the likes of which the Rejects could only hope to obtain.”

“We?”I question, emphasizing the word.

He sighs, the sound drenched in frustration. “I’m still an Antonelli, Sawyer. Technically you are too.”

“I sure as fuck am not!”

“You’re mywife. An Antonelli by marriage.”

“Then we need a divorce because I amnotan Antonelli. Don’t forget, Dante, I married you because I had no. Other. Choice.” I enunciate the last three words for emphasis. “There might be something between us, and I… I care about you, but I amnotan Antonelli.Lucis not an Antonelli. You have to understand that the Antonellis may not have played a big part in our lives, but when they entered our streets, they left chaos and destruction in their wake. Most of the time, their attacks seemed random and meaningless, driving the fear of God into people. You are the real-life boogeymen we grew up fearing. Not just me.Everyone. If we don’t fear you, we hate you for killing or taking someone we know or love.

“So no, Dante. I may be your wife… for now, but I will not answer to Mrs. Antonelli. I will not accept the surname as mine, and I won’t let you dictate otherwise.”

My rant is met with silence, and I can’t tell if he’s raging at my outburst or mulling over what I’ve said.

“I should go,” I say in a softer voice. “Take care of yourself, and I’ll talk to you soon.”

Hanging up, I hastily throw some things into a bag for Evie and grab some clothes for Cain and Oliver, unsure when they’ll be back at the clubhouse.

As I'm leaving, I don’t see any signs of Marcus, so I get one of the Rejects to drive me over to my garage, where I safely stowed Raven after my date night with Dante.God, was that only a few days ago?

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