Page 11 of Brutal Don

Of course, he would ensure her silence about everything she had witnessed and heard. Money was usually enough to persuade most people, but Cara? Dante assumed she would immediately report him to the police, only to be disappointed to learn no cop in this city would dare charge Dante with a crime. In fact, those cops would probably just return her to his doorstep like a lost pet. The imagery of Cara in a collar and bow made him smile.

He thought of their conversations tonight. Cara looked magnificent in her anger. Now more than ever, he was certain he wanted Cara all to himself, to keep her forever.

Cara would never admit it, but Dante had a feeling she enjoyed their bickering tonight. No one had provided her a challenge before. Dante aggravated and intrigued her at the same time. He could see it in her eyes. Dante had always been good at reading people, which was what made him a good boss.

Now, the real question was, what was next for the two of them? Cara had been willing to play along tonight but he had a feeling that wouldn’t last. Dante would have to simply do this the old-fashioned way. He would charm her, somehow win her over until she was convinced no one else held her best interests at heart.

After all, she was all alone in this dangerous new world. Dante hadn’t exaggerated or lied. If Ted Gambino got his grimy hands on her instead of him, she would be pieces in a river by now. Cara had no choice but to lean on Dante.

Chapter Six

Cara woke with the sunlight kissing her face. As usual, the space next to her lay empty. Dante usually woke up at the crack of dawn to exercise before having an early breakfast. Cara knew, because she woke up early three days before and observed him using the treadmill in the living room. He looked delectable, running without a shirt on. If he’d been aware of her presence, he never mentioned it.

It was day seven of her being a “guest”in Dante’s home. Cara didn’t see him except for dinner, when they ate together. If she only saw Dante at night, then that was the first opportunity she had. Cara took a shower, then dressed in her own clothes. Like Dante promised, he had her belongings taken from her old apartment and delivered to his.

Cara exited the room to see a vase full of beautiful red roses. She gasped, then tentatively walked to the table and examined the plain white card leaning against the glass. Every single day, he sent her surprises like this. It was almost as if he was wooing her, and it was working. Cara could feel her resolve cracking bit by bit. Despite their limited interaction, she was getting to know him better through conversations.

Cara had to admit she liked the thoughtful man underneath his expensive suits and natural arrogance. She liked to think he let his guard down while she was with him. Cara never forgot the words he said to her at the beginning—that she would eventually come to him, that he wouldn’t need to do a single thing. Dante might be right on that account. Cara decided the way things were going, she was bound to pounce on him one evening just to eradicate the building sexual tension between them. That wouldn’t do.

Before falling asleep the night before, Cara concocted a plan she intended to execute tonight. She had been slowly trying to persuade Dante to let her out of the apartment.

Shopping had been her excuse. Of course, he wouldn’t let her go anywhere in the city without guards. That was a given, but if she could get her hands on some sleeping pills at a pharmacy, then she could slip them into his drink tonight. Her plan turned dark after that. She would find a sharp kitchen knife and call his bodyguards inside, then threaten them. She would demand they let her go and in exchange she’d let their boss free.

It was a reckless and probably not a well-thought-out plan, but it was the only one Cara had. Cara plucked the white card. It had only two words written on it with Dante’s elegant script:

“Missing you”

Cara picked up the landline. She ignored Martha, who was dusting in the background, and dialedDante’s cellphone number. He’d given it to her days before, telling her to call him if she wanted.

Dante picked up after the second ring. “Cara? Is there a problem?” he asked.

“Are you busy?”

“I’m about to go to a meeting.”

“Then I won’t take much of your time. Thank you for the roses. They’re my favorite flowers,” she said.

“You’re welcome.” Dante paused, then continued, “Is that the only reason you called? To thank me?”

“What we talked about last night—I was hoping I could run down to the pharmacy across the street to get some supplies,” she said.

“Supplies?” Dante asked.

“It’s that time of the month for me, and no, I don’t want Martha to get it for me. I’ve been in here a week, Dante. I could use some fresh air,” Cara stated. It was a risky move, but she hoped her gambit would pay off.

There was silence on the other end for a moment. “Very well, I’ll inform Jack. He’ll accompany you to the pharmacy, and Cara?”

“Yes?”

“If you need anything else, Jack can also drive you to the mall or a particular shop,” Dante said.

“Thank you. You won’t regret this.”

“I trust you,” Dante simply said. She didn’t understand why his words meant so much to her.

“I’ll see you at dinner. Early warning, I’ll be preparing the meal this time, not Martha. She can watch me cook if you’re worried about me adding poison to the dishes,” Cara said. She wasn’t sure how Dante would take her joke, but he only laughed before ending the call.

While Cara ate breakfast, she told Martha, “You can go home early tonight. I’ll make Dante dinner. If you want, you can watch me to ensure I don’t put anything in the food.”

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