Page 85 of Fortress of the Brave

“What happened to Rocco?”

She looks at me briefly. “He got a little injured in the car explosion.”

“Is he okay?” I gasp.

She nods. “Luckily, yes, but he’s on light duty, much to his disgust.”

I’m about to tell her I know about the Colombians, but that would mean telling her Dante was at my apartment and that he told me stuff I probably shouldn’t be hearing. I close my mouth.

“Dial down if you need some room service,” she says as she leaves. “I’ll be in Angelo’s suite working on some emails if you need me.”

“Thanks, sis.”

When she's gone, I move through the suite that’s more like an apartment. I could seriously live here, it’s ridiculous.

What anyone needs with three bedrooms, a full chef’s kitchen, and a pool terrace is beyond me, but the Medicis don’t do anything by halves.

The view from the full sliding doors overlooks the Charles, and it’s magnificent. The doorbell chimes, distracting me from watching the cars below.

When I look through the peephole, I see it’s Dante.

I open it, and he holds up a bag of Chinese food and says, “I hope you like noodles.”

I beam. “I’m starving, and I love noodles.”

He kisses me chastely, looking around the suite.

“The coast is clear,” I muse as he steps inside, shrugging out of his coat. “How is everything?”

“It’s fine, baby. How is the suite? Do you have everything you need?”

“Yes,” I say. “But I don’t think I need three bedrooms, unless I invite my friends over.”

He gives me a look as he sets the bag of food on the kitchen counter and pulls me into his arms. “Later, I need to hear about your day.”

“It was pretty boring,” I say with a shy smile. “I went to help Rayne this morning with some paperwork because she hates that side of things.”

“Oh, that reminds me, your shifts at Bijou are canceled until further notice.”

I roll my eyes. “Seriously?”

“Yes.”

“Is this because of the explosion or because you don’t want other men looking at me.”

“Both. Equally.”

“Dante, what am I going to do with you?” I mutter against his mouth.

“Fuck me, hopefully.” He grins, and I shake my head as our kiss deepens.

“What did you do all day?” I ask when we pull away.

“I bought some land this morning.”

“Oh.”

“It’s beautiful, Mia. I’ll take you for a drive soon. It’s out in Norfolk County, in the country. It’s quiet, no neighbors for miles, and the views of the valley are like nothing else.”

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