Page 137 of Powerful Deception

For months, I wanted to know why my dad was killed. Why would someone take a man’s life in such a way, but now I know.

My father got involved with the wrong person and he got in so deep that even Dante couldn’t save him.

All day yesterday, I kept thinking about how I killed two people and I even started to regret it. But now, I'm happy that I pulled the trigger. I’m happy I killed Roberto Gallo.

“I wanted revenge.” I start. Dante gave me the truth. Now it’s my turn. “I wanted my father’s killer and everyone that had that type of power to pay for what was done to him. People at the funeral were talking and the name the devil was mentioned, so I told myself that I would start off there. That I would find out who this devil person was and bring them down. Then I found out it was you and even after a few warnings to stay away, I was determined to do what I felt I needed to do. I found out about the interview and I thought that it would be a good way to insert myself. A good first step. But then I walked into that room with you and instantly felt like I shouldn’t have been there. And I shouldn't have. Even if it did bring me to you and the kids.”

The tears start to flow out faster and they become uncontrollable when Dante closes the distance between us and wraps an arm around me.

But even as I’m being tucked into Dante’s side, the words don’t stop.

I continue to tell him everything.

From the first meeting with Gallo to how I paid him from the money I received from the Lane foundation. I even tell him how I went snooping around in his office and found the pictures and note in his bottom drawer. Then I tell him about how I told Gallo I no longer wanted any part of it. That I didn’t want to take down Dante Rosetti.

“I told him, Dante. I told him that I wanted to stop it. I told him that I wanted no part of it. I wanted no part of it because I love you and I love the kids and I couldn’t stand me hurting you any long.”

I sob into his shoulder, slightly cringing when he lets out a groan from his injuries.

But even with his injuries, I don’t make a move to pull away. I don’t want to pull away from this man any more.

I continue through the sob and tears and tell him that the guilt I told him I felt was real. So real that I had to pull away from him even when I didn’t want to. That even the night of the gala I was sick to my stomach with thoughts that Gallo was going to do something to him.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry that I couldn't stop Gallo earlier. I’m sorry that I lied to you from the very beginning and continued to lie. You had every reason not to trust me, but yet you did. You let me inside your house, near your kids and I betrayed you in every way possible. I’m so fucking sorry I deceived you. So sorry.”

“It’s okay.” He says into my hair.

His words cause me to pull away. “It’s not okay. You should hate me. You should hate me for all the shit I put you through. I almost got you killed. That’s why I left yesterday, because you were dying because of me. I did this to you. You need to hate me. Why don’t you hate me?”

Dante shifts, taking my face in his hands and looks me right in the eyes as he says the next few words.

“Because I love you. I don’t hate you because I love you. I understand why you did what you did, I do, and yes it pisses me off. But my love for you still is stronger than my hate. I love you, Arianna.”

More tears escape from my eyes at his words, this time no sob accompanying them.

“You love me?” He said the words more than once, but I still need confirmation.

He gives me a nod. “I do.”

“I love you, too.” I tell him, a small smile on my face.

Not being able to hold back much longer, I lean up and slightly place my lips against his. Even though I want to spend hour kissing him and getting lost in him as he touches me and kisses every inch of me, I pull away.

We’re in public.

In a cemetery for crying out loud. Time and place.

“Where do we go from here?” I ask, nervous that even with my confession, I’ve lost Dante and the kids.

And if I lose them, I won’t have anything left.

Dante lifts a hand and cradles my face.

“Well I have a little girl and boy that are asking if you are coming back to them, so what do you think about going to go see them?”

“They asked about me?” I give him a tear-filled smile.

Dante nods, brushing strand of my hair away from my face. “Alessandra said your name. She said your name and asked when you were coming back. She said two words and all I wanted was for you to hear them.”

---