Chapter 3

3

DANTE

T he Lion’s Den.

Four thousand square feet of green grass, dense woods, and a single mansion in the center of it all. Armed men line the perimeter while others march in patrols across the vast, green expanse. The rest roam the intestines of the mansion with duty-bound smiles hiding their fears.

Somehow, among the enormous crowd of soldiers and staff alike, I’ve never felt more alone.

Natalie Pryce is to blame for this sudden emptiness brewing inside me.

Loneliness isn’t the curse everyone makes it out to be when you don’t have anyone you’d rather be with. But the instant I saw her, I never wanted to be without her by my side again. Even the hour-long drive to Don Salvatore Lione’s mansion left me aching for another look into the deep blue ponds of her eyes. Get lost in them and the daydreams that she’d actually want to be with a man like me.

But that’s all they’ll ever be, right? No matter what happens tonight, she’ll always view me as a monster. As the demon I’ve found so much pleasure in becoming and maintaining.

Fuck.

“You didn’t come across any trouble?” Don Lione asks, squaring up against the stacks of hundreds I set down on his table. “I know you’re good at what you do, Dante, but I expected a few holdouts.”

We’re sitting in his office, sharing a glass of whiskey while we talk.

“There was one.” My mind returns to her. Natalie. A guardian angel who swooped in to save her father in the nick of time. He can count his lucky fucking stars. Had she arrived a few minutes later, I’d have taken his finger.

“Who?” Salvatore brings his whiskey to his nose and eases back in his deep red leather throne.

He isn’t angry, against what I let Luke believe. He rarely ever is on missed payouts. The money he gives these people is barely a drop in the ocean of his wealth. Sending me to collect these debts isn’t about his return. It’s about sending a message and demanding power in this town. The more people he can get under his thumb, the further his influence extends.

“Luke Pryce,” I say, taking a seat opposite him.

“The factory worker who lost his legs?” For someone who doesn’t seem to care all that much, his memory of these people surprises me.

“Yes,” I answer and tuck my hand into my breast pocket.

“And you’ve dealt with him accordingly?” He takes his first sip.

“Yes and no.” From my breast pocket, I pull the full fifteen thousand dollar debt Luke Pryce accrued. I hand it to Salvatore, and he drops it on top of the rest.

“Seems to me it’s dealt with. So, what’s the problem?” He pats the stack of hundreds I handed him.

“I’ve squared off his debt, and in return, I’m taking his daughter.” A bold statement, but there’s no sugarcoating what’s happening here.

The stern look on Salvatore’s face cracks, and a devious smile replaces it.

“You rarely cease to amaze me in the new, cruel ways you come up with to torture your victims,” he says. I expected resistance and got praise instead? Must be my lucky day. “So, why do you look so anxious mentioning it? What’s got you worried, old friend?”

“Your blessing.” It was bold of me to make an offer to square Luke’s debt without the Don’s approval. Being in the aftermath of it and having far worse expectations for how this meeting would go, there’s no way to shrug off the anxious look without a clear-cut yes from the boss.

“I get my money, and you thrust fear into the heart of the man who took it. Why would I decline you the simple joys and pleasures of life?” Salvatore asks. “You have my blessing to do whatever you’d like in your personal life, Dante. Always have, always will. As long as you keep up the good work, why would I stop you?”

“Thank you, Don Lione,” I take a small sip. So does he.

“As always, your commission for a job well done.” Salvatore sets his drink down beside the stack of money and hands me half of what I gave him for the Pryce payment.

I pocket it the same way I brought it out and swallow the rest of my drink in a big gulp.

“Is there anything else you need, Boss?” I ask out of habit. But it’s different tonight. I almost feel obligated to do more with the gift he’s given me in pursuing Natalie.

“No. You’re a free man for the time being. Go have some fun with your new prize.” He starts packing the cash into his desk drawer. He doesn’t bother counting it, knowing I’d ensure the numbers all lined up.

I swallow the last of my drink and leave. My bet is I’ll have a few days before the Don calls me back into his office for my next task. And oh, the fun I’m going to have with my golden-haired angel until that call.