Page 61 of Throne of Sin

“Do you like kids?” The question slips out before I have time to rationalize it.

“I don’t mind Romeo’s kids. They’re a little spoiled, but I plan to use that as leverage for when I need it one day.”

“Leverage?” I’m not following what he means and my stomach suddenly knots.

“Romeo likes to give Savio and I a hard time about having it good while growing up. If he ever crosses the line, I plan to remind him how he’s raising his own children. I have no doubt he’ll stop giving me a hard time the moment the statement leaves my mouth.”

“It’s strange to think that you have two more brothers. Growing up, you guys never talked about them, and I just assumed there were just you two.”

“That’s how our mother wanted it.” His face masks over as he talks about his mother. “She would have loved to say she buried all of her children if she could.”

“That’s the saddest thing I’ve ever heard.” I squeeze his hand before he uncurls his fingers from mine.

“Honestly, I stay away from Romeo’s kids as much as possible. I had no positive role models growing up. I began stealing petty stuff by the age of eight, and I had graduated to grand theft auto by the time I reached sixteen. I have nothing to offer but bad advice. Hell, my club will probably be the reason his boys lose their virginity. And the girls, they better not ask me for a job.”

“Dante, you know the difference between right and wrong.” I refuse to let him talk about himself like he’s a monster.

“Demi…” He levels me with a look. “The first time I fucked you was on top of your car after beating a John.”

I suck in a breath. I tried to forget about that night. Not because of Dante, but because of what I was willing to do.

“It’s not like you came from a better home life than me. We should consider ourselves lucky that we don’t have kids. We have no right bringing them up in a world like ours.”

I feel sucker punched. “I know the difference between right and wrong, and I’m perfectly capable of loving and protecting an innocent child.” My brow begins to sweat, my back ram-rod straight, as I grow more passionate about what we’re talking about.

He rubs at his forehead. “I’m not trying to fight. The whole world sees me as this horrible monster who sells women. You know that’s not the true me, but no one else does. It’s the whole reason why you have a cut across half your face. Kids of my own have never crossed my mind. That’s my only point.” He takes my hand and kisses my knuckles.

“You’re a better person than you think,” I reply, still reeling at the thought he doesn’t want kids brought up in our world. He kisses my hand again. “You and Savio have been the only people to ever believe in me.” I move his hand toward me and turn his hand to kiss it like he did mine. We stare into each other’s eyes as our connection flows through us.

Maybe I’ll wait a little bit to allow him time to digest our conversation before I tell him about Oakleigh.

The partition rolls down. “Change of plans, go to the house and then we’ll go to the club.”

“Are you sure?” I ask, studying him.

“This is what’s important today, not the club.”

We stop at a small house among a line of other well-kept houses. I freeze, looking at the beautiful neighborhood. Kids are out on what appear to be new bikes. They don’t act scared or worried, which is so unlike how I grew up, but something I have always wanted for my daughter.

“I’m not getting out.” I keep my face looking straight and refuse to look any further. Tears threaten to invade, but I keep them at bay with my jaw tight. There’s no way I could afford a place like this. I don’t even have a job yet, and I can tell you right now, my qualifications can’t afford me this.

Dante drags in a long breath like he’s frustrated. I refuse to glance over. I can’t let my heart even believe in a place like this, because disappointment is heartbreaking. I don’t want to want it.

“Demi.” He says my name softly, his hand resting on my thigh, and I move my hand away. “Please, look at me.” His finger circles over my pants. “I can be just as stubborn as you. I have the time, I could wait all day.”

Reluctantly, I turn my head. His eyes hold mine and, for a second, I get lost in them, forgetting why we’re together, forgetting that life exists outside our bubble. My stomach flips the way it always does when he gives me his whole attention, as if I’m the only thing that matters. Life can be so cruel, by dangling everything I want in front of me, but never letting me hold onto it.

“My family owns this area. We make sure it stays safe. The lady who is renting her house is going to visit her daughter, who just had her first grandchild. This is a four-month rental, and we would be doing her a favor by taking it. Give it a chance, that’s all I ask. If you hate it, I have ten more places to look at.”

He looks so sincere; I don’t know if I should believe him. “Where is the lady now?”

“Inside waiting for us. Ask her yourself if you don’t believe me.”

I look past him at the house. The outside looks better than I ever dreamed. This neighborhood is magnificent. Oakleigh could ride a bike and I wouldn’t have to worry about her safety. A tingle of excitement wiggles its way into my chest. I try to push it out, but it refuses to move.

“Come on.” Dante’s lips tilt up and he knows he has me. His eyes already shine with victory at the mere idea of making me happy.

He steps out, reaching his hand in to help me out. There are real flowers under the window. The glass is unbroken and clean. A smallwelcomeflower pot sits on the step.

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