Page 72 of Of Grief And Gratitude

“Fuck no.” Sloane pointed the knife at him. “You don’t get to walk into my place and order us around like a fucking dictator. If you want to talk to Riona, you can pretend to be a gentleman and ask nicely.”

Dante chuckled darkly, but inclined his head. “Riona, please come sit by me so we can talk. It’s about Romeo.”

He knew my weakness and judging by Sloane’s arched brow, she also knew. I skirted around her and sat at the opposite end of the couch from Dante. “What’s going on with Romeo?”

Dante tracked Sloane’s movements until she scoffed and sheathed her knife. “Fine, I’ll take a hint. If you want me to gut him, scream.”

I couldn’t hold back my giggle as she walked away, but the severe look on Dante’s face sobered me.

“My brother is being difficult,” he finally said.

“That can’t be a surprise.” I tapped the toe of my shoe on the floor. “When is Romeo not difficult?”

“He can’t afford to be right now, but I’m finding it challenging to reason with him.” Dante ran a hand down his face. When he looked at me again, his expression was pained. “I need a favor.”

“You’re kidding, right?” I asked, incredulous. “I’ve already done as much as I could, and look where that got me.”

“I apologize for my father,” he said through gritted teeth. “I’m doing my best to ensure everyone’s safety.”

“Could you stop him?”

When Dante looked away, I had my answer. His jaw clenched. “I told Romeo to leave town, but he hasn’t. I want you to go with him. If he thinks he’s protecting you, too, he won’t hesitate.”

“Your father wouldn’t actually hurt him, would he?” I couldn’t imagine a parent ordering the death of their child, but Ettore’s unhinged anger at the cemetery made me wonder.

“I would like to believe he wouldn’t,” Dante said slowly, his fingers curling into a fist. “But I can’t be sure.”

“And you want me to go where?” I couldn’t believe I was considering it, but the thought of harm coming to Romeo made the back of my neck sweat.

“My family has a cabin down south. It’s out of the way, but still has modern conveniences. You could still work if you need to.”

I didn’t bother to tell him his family had been my only client since returning to Chicago. “How long?”

“A week or two. I’m working to distract my father, so he’ll be too busy to focus his anger on Romeo. Or you.”

I considered the proposal and found I didn’t mind it as much if I were with Romeo. “I’ll do it.”

“Thank you,” Dante breathed, looking very human for a fleeting moment. When he recovered, he stood from the couch. “How long will it take you to pack?”

My jaw dropped. “You expect me to go with you now?”

“Of course,” he said like it was obvious, and pulled his phone from his pocket. “I’ll text him and tell him he needs to take you out of town, and we’ll head over as soon as you’re packed.”

When I just sat staring at him, he lifted a brow and looked toward the hall. He sent the text message and pressed his lips into a line before flicking his fingers toward my bedroom. I wondered whether he’d explored before Sloane and I returned home. “Stop wasting time. You’ve already agreed. Go pack.”

Dante’s authoritative tone made me jolt into action, hurrying down the hall to my room. I pulled a duffel from my closet and started throwing clothes inside, pausing when my door opened, and Sloane slipped in, closing the door behind her.

“What the hell is going on?” she asked, surveying the mess of clothes I’d tossed on the bed. “Is he trying to kidnap you? I can shoot him.”

I realized she held her pistol, finger poised safely off the trigger. I shook my head quickly. “No need to shoot him. I think that would be worse for all of us.”

She rolled her eyes at me. “Fine. Now, explain.”

“He had the same idea as your father.” I tossed a couple of pairs of jeans in the bag and pawed through my underwear drawer, grabbing a fistful of undergarments. “Romeo is in the hot seat, but he’s not leaving town like Dante wants. I said I’d go with him.”

Sloane’s brows furrowed as she searched my face. “Are you sure that’s the best idea?”

“Why not?”

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