Page 73 of Of Grief And Gratitude

“Ri,” she started, biting her lip. “Do you have feelings for him?”

“Fuck no,” I answered without hesitation. “Dante is more like a point of contact for the family.”

“Not Dante. Romeo.”

I considered whether I wanted to discuss it with her. Sloane was the kind of friend who was so loyal she might step in if she thought it was in my best interest. I found I didn’t want her getting between Romeo and me.

“I feel something,” I admitted slowly. “I don’t know what it means yet. Maybe I’ll figure it out if we’re trapped together in the middle of nowhere.”

“Be careful,” she warned. “It’s one thing for Colin to marry Bianca. Neither of them wants anything to do with the family. Romeo is in the family business. There’s no escaping it.”

“You’re in the business,” I pointed out. “We’ve been friends forever. It’s never been a problem for me.”

“I just don’t want to see you get hurt.” Her arms wrapped around me, and she dangled the gun behind my back. I knew better than to think it was unloaded.

I squeezed her back. “I know.”

“I’d hate to have to shoot him if you fall in love,” she said with a smirk.

“Let’s hope it all goes well, then.” We laughed at our dark humor as I finished filling my bag. Sloane ran to the bathroom and grabbed my toiletries, as I made sure I had everything I’d need for a week. I hoped there was a washing machine at the cabin.

“You know I have to tell my Da where you’re going,” Sloane said as I hauled the bag over my shoulder.

“Yeah, I know. I’m not hiding it from anybody.”

She followed me back to the living room, where Dante paced. He stilled when he spotted us and strode across the room to take my bag. “Ready?”

“Yeah, I think that’s everything.” I still wore my coat and shoes and grabbed my purse in case I needed it.

Sloane stepped into Dante’s path, hands on her hips. Dante’s large frame dwarfed her petite stature, but she held her ground, glaring at him. “If anything happens to her, it will start a war.”

“I’m trying to prevent one,” he said seriously. “She’ll be safer this way.”

“I’ll hold you to that.”

Dante tossed a glance over his shoulder, his eyes meeting mine. “Come on, let’s go. Romeo will be waiting.”

I gave Sloane another lingering hug, and she whispered, “I’m only a phone call away. I’ll have the whole fuckin’ family out there if you need it.”

“I love you.” I tightened my hold before releasing her and following Dante.

I hoped I wouldn’t regret my decision.

Chapter Twenty-One

Dante was a manipulative prick.

His worst qualities were also what would make him a good leader for the Neretti organization one day. I hated that I admired that—even more when he called to tell me to get my shit together and get Riona out of town because our father had also directed his anger at her.

I couldn’t turn him down, and the fucker knew it. While I might be willing to take risks with my own life, I would not put Riona in danger. It already ate at me that she’d drawn my father’s ire for stepping between us. What the hell had she been thinking?

It triggered a memory long ago buried of my father screaming in my face because I’d found an emaciated kitten and wanted to save the poor animal. Ettore Neretti would not have animals in his home. He was unbuckling his belt when my mother stepped in front of me, shielding me from his wrath. I’d never forget the hatred on his face as he fell silent, his nostrils flaring with each angry breath. I thought he looked like a cartoon bull. Then he’d grabbed her arm hard enough that she whimpered and dragged her upstairs. I don’t know what he did to her, but I could guess. The kitten was gone the following morning.

I was tired of the intrusive thoughts drilling into my mind against my will. Just when I thought I could have a day free of things best left for my nightmares, there they were again. I whipped a pillow from my bed and threw it across the room, the down alternative thudding dully as it hit my closet door.

Picking it up, I pressed the cool fabric to my face and screamed, pouring all the rage and grief into the cotton and hoping the taint of it would leave my body. Riona had witnessed my unhinged anguish, and I was determined to hide it all from her at the cabin. Emotional breakdowns didn’t exactly scream sexy.

I reached into my bedside drawer and pulled out a box of condoms, even though she’d told me she was on birth control. No way did I want to be stuck if she forgot about it for the trip. I intended to fuck every demon from my soul, and she would be the vessel for my metaphorical exorcism. A very pleasurable exorcism. Fuck, I needed to get laid.

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