Page 147 of Ruthless Sinner

I’m sure Dante was supposed to be elsewhere, but today he was with me.

Now it’s nightfall again and we’re in the shower together.

He has me pressed up against the wall while he’s covering me with my favorite shower gel. Although we’ve been speaking throughout the day we’ve been allowing the silent flame of attraction to guide us.

Dante holds my gaze while he caresses my breasts allowing the light spray of water to wash the foam from my body.

When he places shower gel on the sponge for himself I allow my boldness to take over and take it from him. I’m surprised he allows me.

I spread the gel over his chest, stopping by the slightly raised skin by his left pec. It’s a scar under the swirls of the tattoo. I’ve seen and felt it before several times. Of course I never asked what it was.

I don’t know much about scars but when he told me about the time he got shot I assumed that’s what it was. But there are two scars like that close to his chest.

Close to his heart.

“The first one is from that night.” His voice. Low and pensive sounds strange against the silence. “We call that night the massacre because of how my father’s enemies slaughtered my family. That was the first time I got shot.”

“It looks like it really hurt.” I gaze up at him and our eyes lock.

“It did, but I don’t remember feeling it. The pain of watching my mother die overpowered everything.”

I understand that all too well. Avery and his mother died in different ways but the moment you realize there’s nothing you can do to stop what’s about to happen is what makes that pain so great and lasting.

He takes my hand and guides it to the second scar.

“I haven’t told you about that one because not many people know why I got it.”

“It’s another gunshot wound?”

“Yes.”

“What happened?” I keep my hand pressed there, feeling the rapid beat of his heart flowing into my blood.

“I took a bullet for Virgo, my best friend. We were out somewhere we shouldn’t have been and he pissed off the wrong people.”

“You saved him.”

“We’re the kind of friends who always have each other’s backs, no matter what.” He nods.

“That’s incredibly admirable and selfless.” And impressive.

He gives me a half smile. “I suppose so.”

“Harper and I are like that. But of course it’s totally different. We’ve never done anything lifesaving like that for each other.”

“But sure she saves your life in other ways. You talk about her a lot. I can tell she’s as important as family is to you.”

“Yes. You’re right.” I appreciate his words and observation. “I’m guessing Virgo was the guy who wasn’t overly fond of my existence. He looked like he was ready to send me off to the gallows.” I sound lighthearted but I’m not joking.

“Virgo can come across as abrasive and cold-hearted sometimes. He has that hardcore personality that’s sharp, thick-skinned, and rough around the edges. He takes a lot of getting used to.”

I gaze up at him, think about that description he just gave me of his friend and I’m surprised when I laugh. “That sounds a lot like you.”

At first he just stares back at me in fascination, then he laughs too and it such a good sound I wish I could hear it forever. It’s the first time I’ve ever heard him really laugh.

“Okay, you win. I guess Virgo and I are lot like each other, but you didn’t take any time at all to get used to me.”

“No.” I can agree with that.

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