Page 23 of Little Sparrow

“It’s good to meet you Dante,” I smile, his hand drops from my neck completely. His jaw has dropped. He looks at me like I’m a ghost.

“You’re not real.” He mumbles, mostly to himself.

Carefully, I raise my hand to his lips, remembering that kiss we shared so long ago. Suddenly he cages me between his arms, a pained look flashing over his face. “I looked for you fucking everywhere. I went to London. No one knew if you were dead,” his voice softens a fraction, “But you’re here.”

Before I can stop myself, I lean forward, my lips brush against him and a shudder runs through his body. The need to taste him again tries to overtake me, I’ve been desperate to do that since I saw him in my realm. His body becomes tense and I give him the little space I can in this position, ready for my confession.

“Leo made sure I’d never be found. I became a ghost of who I was, but you were there. Always in the back of my mind, anchoring me from becoming something I’d hate.” I hold in the burn behind my eyes, this is not how I imagined our first meeting going.

His fingers caress my cheek, staring at the place where my minor cut now is. “Did he do this to you?” I nuzzle into his hand that still rests on my face as though he wants to take away any pain that it has caused. I stay silent, I imagine Dante would already know and by the clenching of his jaw, he is angry. I give him a small smile and a shrug.

“You were here the whole time? He took you from me?” His forehead touches mine, our breaths mixing.

“Yes.” I murmur and squeeze my eyes closed, trying to forget my last night in London. A perfect dream turning into the worst nightmare.

“You’rethesparrow? The one he was searching for years ago.” Venom drips into his tone. My eyes fly open, finding his hardened stare. Something changes drastically between us. A cold, smooth sensation presses up against the base of my throat. “Answer me,” He demands.

My mouth goes dry and I freeze. He hesitates to harm me, conflict written on his hard features and he blinks fast. That’s all I need, that small moment, to lift my hand and grasp his bare forearm. Dante’s whole body struggles against mine, trying to fight the intrusion in his mind. The knife clatters on the floor when he drops it.

“This is what he wanted me for. Do you think I’m staying by choice?” I let him go, and he grabs his shirt over his chest. I can even hear the thumping of his heart as though it’s going to break free.

“I don’t just enter dreams. My touch is toxic. I will burn through your mind like wildfire before I take your soul. I’d never intentionally hurt you. Just don’t threaten me again.” I step around his body, taking deep breaths of my own to calm my shaking.

“Tell me one thing, Rose. Did you kill my mother?” My head turns to look over my shoulder. “No, I couldn’t. She doesn’t want you here, I know that much. Please leave.” I close the door behind me, the small click of the door severing our old connection, seeing him in person was different than I expected. Why did I imagine a prince coming to save me? Instead I got a villain who thinks I killed his mum. A knife to my throat shows me one thing. He wants to kill me.

With all the things I’ve done for Leo, maybe I deserve it.

Chapter twenty-two

Dante

RoseleavesasItry to steady my breathing. That fucking hurt; the feeling of her inside my body, fingers scraping along my mind but not quite digging through. The burn still lingers. My gun always stays in my shoulder holster but my favourite knife; the one I keep tucked in the back of my trousers. Lays on the floor beside me.

When I realised who she was, my heart sank. What is she? How did she become so cold, ready to kill me? When my breaths become steady, I lean against my head against the wall, remembering how sweet and innocent she was. Scaring away the demons like an angel, but now I think she is one of those demons. The only way I will get answers is from my father or Antonio. Still, I can’t stand the thought of anyone near Rose. I stumble into my bathroom and splash my face with cold water, waiting until I have my full strength back.

It takes over thirty minutes, but finally, I leave my room to find my father. He is usually in his office so I go there first. I don’t bother knocking. The heavy door flies open with force as I push against it. Both my father and Franco look up at me. Hands reach for their guns. My father leans back in his chair when he sees it's me. “What are you here for Dante?” he asks, frustration clear on his face.

“I’m ready to deliver Antonio’s punishment,” I lie. The answers about Rose are what I need, he will know more than I do. If I can make my old friend recall our long-standing friendship, I'm certain I can show him I can help get him out of here. He might open up to me. At least that’s my hope. It has been a long time

My father’s eyebrow raises before he quickly glances at Franco, who has a smirk on his face. Both of them look up at me again, my skin tingles as a feeling of dread washes over me. He is going to say no but stuns me into silence with his next words. “You met our sweet Rose?” he laughs when I stare at him and stay quiet. “You look like the others she has touched. Amazing, isn’t she?”

“What is she?” I grind out through my clenched jaw and my father’s eyes sparkle, the joy in knowing what I want.

“She truly is something. I was lucky to find her, but it wasn’t too hard with facial recognition software and our hacker to a driver's database, there was a hospital record of her. Her mother tried her hardest to hide her but not hard enough. She is just as beautiful as her though.”

He is avoiding my question. I don’t like this. My jaw clenches so hard I’m surprised my teeth don’t shatter from the pressure.

I don’t take my eyes off him. Still waiting for an answer. “What. Is. She.” I ask again, my voice raising with each word.

“She’s not completely human. That is all you may know until you join me as family once more. You need to prove your loyalty to us first. Take care of your friend for me, and then we will talk more. Now you're dismissed.” He waves his hand before reaching for his cigar box. My hand reaches for the door handle before he stops me. “Do not go near her again. She is mine.”

I nod before leaving. The thought of her finally being in my bed makes me smile. She’s all I had wanted this whole time. Mine long before today. Nothing will stop me from taking her and doing as I please, there is no chance I’m waiting any longer.

Chapter twenty-three

Dante

Abreezeflowsthroughthe open kitchen door. I'm leaning on the grey marble counter of the kitchen, but my feet carry me toward the door. I watch as Rose's spine contorts into a strange position on her yoga mat. My eyes don’t leave her body. Her eyes stay closed and her face is peaceful with each of her movements, I stay silent. I put my water bottle down on the side and wait by the door.

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