Page 113 of Toxic

I close my eyes, attempting to keep my tears from falling. It's bad enough I told my children lies about the O'Malleys not wanting to see them all these years. Finn already thought I was lying about Brenna before I even saw her at the club. He's never going to forgive me. And now Dante, the one person who has stuck beside me when no one else has, is going to think I lied about this, too.

"Bridget, start talking," he orders.

I swallow hard then place my hands on his warm chest to steady myself, even though I couldn't fall if I wanted. He's got me pinned between his hard frame and the wall. I admit, "I saw her a month ago...the night you were here and we met up at the Ritz."

His jaw clenches. I feel it contract against my cheek. "You were here? You lied to me?"

"I'm sorry. I-I couldn't tell you! She made me promise not to tell anyone. I gave her Fiona's phone chip so she could contact me and we could figure out how to rescue her."

"Keep talking. I want the entire story. Now," he calmly demands, but I feel the anger radiating off him.

"Giulio bought Brenna. The day I ran into her in Central Park, all those years ago. She saved his daughter and then he bought her. The Baileys were after her," I confess.

Dante moves his head slightly so I can see his eyes. "What were you planning for tonight?"

I shake my head, blinking hard. "I don't know. I was meeting her in the bathroom. I-I need to watch for her to pass the suite. She's supposed to go around 9:25." I move my hands to his cheeks. "I swear. I didn't know where she was all these years. It was a coincidence I ran into her. Please. You have to believe me."

He studies me briefly.

"Dante—"

"You're going to do exactly what I say, Bridget. Don't you dare question me or try to disobey me. Do you understand?" he snarls.

My entire body trembles. I nod and a tear falls. "Yes."

He wipes my tear. "Get ahold of yourself. You're going to go into the bathroom as planned and wait with Brenna for my instructions. Understand."

I sniffle and stand taller. "Okay."

"I mean it, Bridget. Whatever I say goes."

"Dante, what are you going to do?" I fret.

His face hardens. "What needs to happen. Let's go." He spins, but Finn moves toward us. Killian is standing in the doorway. His eyes meet mine, and it only makes my heart hurt more. When I break our gaze, Finn's cuts into mine like a razor.

I reach for Dante's arm, but he wraps it around my waist, pulling me close to him, as if to protect me. Emotion swells in my chest that he still wants to protect me, even though I don't deserve any of his affection or safeguarding.

Finn's hands clench into fists. His voice feels like nails drilling into my skin. "If you lie, Bridget, so help me God—"

"Brenna was bought and held captive by Giulio," Dante states.

Finn briefly closes his eyes.

Dante continues, "Bridget's going to the restroom in about five minutes. Brenna will join her. There's a bodyguard who follows her, but others will be watching. I'll send Tristano and Gianni to stay outside our suite and take them out. Killian and Massimo will stay here, clearing away whoever else comes out. There's a service elevator near the restrooms. It leads to a parking garage under the building. I'll take her guard out. You take Bridget and Brenna to the car. Don't stop. Don't look back. Go straight to my father's."

My stomach drops like I'm on the first hill of a high roller coaster. I grip Dante's thigh, feeling like I'm about to witness another tragic death of a man I love.

Then it hits me that I love him. As much as I've tried to fight it, I love Dante. If something happens to him, I'm not going to survive again.

I close my eyes, swallowing hard. I try not to argue and anger Dante further, but I'm scared about what's going to happen. Yet there isn't any other choice. I know there is no way the Marinos or O'Malleys will leave here without fighting for Brenna.

Finn looks at Dante. "I'll take the fall with Angelo."

Dante shakes his head as his nostrils flare. "No, you won't. This is my call. Now, go tell the others."

Finn obeys, and Dante moves me to the glass, keeping his arm around me. His breath hits my ear as he asserts, "I need you to stay strong, dolcezza. There's no room for a mistake, understand?"

I glance at him, nodding.

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