Page 4 of Sin and Seduction

He gives me a small smile, and my eyes track his every movement. Ricky turns around and gives me a softohbefore excusing himself and leaving the room.

“Are you ready?” Dante asks me, his amber eyes looking me up and down.

I can see the desire in them, and although I want him just the same, I’m still not really in the mood to have sex. Apparently, grief is the ultimate libido killer. I appreciate him not rushing me, though. It’s almost like he anticipates my every move, gauging and waiting to see my reaction before he does or says the next thing. In other words, he is walking on eggshells around me. I’m grateful for it, but I can tell it’s going to get old really fast. For now, I will take it.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I say as we walk out of my room, down the stairs, and finally, out of the house.

This is my first time being outside in two weeks. It’s my first time taking a full breath of fresh air and soaking in the sun. It’s also my first time looking at the spot where my mother had died. I can’t see any stains or blood residue, Dante’s landscaper is a master at his craft, but I can feel the tension in the air around me. He grabs my hand and pulls me to the car, buckling me in a new and sleek, as well as completely black, sports car. He is driving, I guess, since Sergio is busy planning Gabriela’s rescue.

“What is this?” I ask as he sits in the driver seat, starting up the car and allowing the engine to roar to life.

It sounds more expensive than it looks.

“The newest Huracan. Everything is custom. You won’t find anything like this on the market. She’s a rare beauty, much like my wife.”

I blush at his words, trying not to let my jaw drop about the fact that I am now sitting in a brand new Lamborghini. He grabs my hand and rubs it as we drive away from his house and through the countryside. It takes about an hour or so to make it from here to LA, so I sit back and stare out of the window, trying to soak in whatever peace this car ride can give me.

“We need to talk about something, mi ciela,” Dante says suddenly.

So much for peace.

“What is it?” I ask, trying not to sound annoyed.

“If we find my sister, which I will burn this whole country to the ground if I have to, we need to relocate for a while to throw him off...go off the grid for a little bit.”

Off the grid?

“What exactly do you mean byoff the grid?” I ask, not really able to picture my new husband living in a camper in the middle of a desert.

I almost chuckle at the mental image.

“I mean, go back home to Columbia for a week before moving into my other house for a while.”

Okay, so that’s a lot to unpack in one sentence.

“Before I even ask about Columbia, how and where do you have another residence?” My voice shakes, but his hand squeezes mine in comfort.

I have to get used to this. I have to get used to this.

“In San Francisco. In a very public spot. I’ll have to keep my work quiet, but I have another club there, so I can still tend to my business.”

How much does this guy fucking own?

I should be asking more questions about this trip and sudden relocation, I really should, but a bigger question pops into my head. A question I am suddenly dying to know the answer to.

“Just how much money do you fucking have?” I ask, and he laughs.

“I own five clubs across the states, three restaurants, and several plots of land. Some of them have properties on them; some are there just to...have.”

Just to have means somewhere to store his blood money. His dirty money.

This man is smart, I have to give that to him. He’s smart and thinks of everything before something even comes up. No matter what, Dante always has numerous backup plans and schemes.

“So...Columbia. Do your staff and Ricky just stay at the country house while we’re safe overseas? What happens to them?” I ask, feeling scared for my best friend and the newly loved people in my life.

“They will already be at the house in San Francisco, under heavy security and surveillance. I usually rent the place out. I’ve never stayed there so no one will think to go for it. I’ve had a couple living there for the last ten years until they had to move out of state. Everyone will be moving everything starting today.”

He’s already got this all figured out. He’s measured every step and taken every precaution.

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