40. Dante

Chapter 40

Dante

I knew she wasn’t asleep.

She had barely touched the sandwich. She had taken a bite and looked like she was about to gag. I knew she wasn’t at peace. Her feet and arms moved constantly as if she was trying to find a comfortable position but just couldn’t.

It made my heart ache to see her in this way, but there was nothing I could do for the moment, so I waited until we arrived at my well-guarded estate in the Adirondacks.

The house had been built on a massive stretch of land that was separated from the other lake homes. The view of rugged mountains and lakes I was certain would help to calm her down and make her feel safe.

The car pulled to a stop and instantly her eyes opened. Raul got out of the car and gently shut the door behind him.

“This is yours?” she asked.

I nodded. “Yeah. It’s a little hideaway.”

She continued to stare at it. “I don’t think there’s anything little about it.”

I smiled as I got out of the car and went to her side. She was already opening the door so I held it open for her.

I saw her wince and knew the neck sprain was probably going to get worse. We were greeted by my housekeeper, Marie.

“Go with Marie and settle down in whichever bedroom takes your fancy. The ones that face the water are the best,” I said.

Zola smiled tiredly and I watched her follow Marie up the stairs, her movements stiff.

As long as she remained safe and protected under my watch, she would slowly heal. Giotto came with me, and the moment I sat down we began to work on how to deal with the mess that the bastard Ugo had created this morning.

“How’s Tony doing?” I asked.

“Doc has stitched him up. He’ll make it. It went clean through his chest, but didn’t hit anything major.”

“Hmm,” was my response. “Call his wife. Make sure she has everything she needs. And get a new phone for Zola.”

“On it, Boss,” he said as he walked out.

My phone rang. It was Detective Hudgens.

“Where is she?” he demanded aggressively.

My blood was boiling, but I kept my voice neutral. “Who?”

“Don’t play games with me, Moretti. I know we didn’t live up to expectations, but you can’t keep her. She’s a witness in your case. The court can use this to discredit her testimony.”

“I didn’t say I had her,” I said calmly. “Why would I have her?”

“So, she’s missing? And you’re okay with that?”

“It’s your case. I’m sure you’ll find her.”

“You’re going to ensure this entire process is a hellish one for me, aren’t you?” he asked belligerently.

He’d fucked up. She would have died under his watch and he dared to take that tone with me. Before I said something I would regret, I ended the call.

I was still reeling from how close to death she had come. I called Marie to ask which room she had chosen.

“She asked for the room that was next to yours, Sir.”

Marie’s words brought a song to my heart even though I was still very aware of the fact that at any point in time, I could be gone, and if she became too attached she would fall apart. I decided to take a stroll to her room.

The door was opened to reveal her in a towel with her hair piled on top of her head. Our eyes met and I couldn’t help the rush of desire that ran through me. She bit her bottom lip.

“I was going to take a shower,” she said.

“I just wanted to check on you and make sure you’re ok.”

“I’m fine.”

“I’m getting you a phone,” I said. “Giotto will bring it over.”

“Thank you. What about you? Will you be … around or … will you leave?”

I smiled. “I’ll be around. Actually, I’m heading to the gym. Got to release some energy.”

She stared at me. “Okay.”

“The compound’s safe. You could go on a hike if you want. There’s also the lake. You could go for a swim.”

“A swim?”

“Yeah. It’s warm today so the lake should be lovely. If it isn’t then we have a heated indoor pool in the gym. I’ll be taking a swim there later.”

She looked at me. “A swim sounds appealing, but I still have visions of drowning.”

I smiled. “Not on my watch. I’ll be there.”

She considered this and then she nodded.

“Just call me when you’re ready to come down.”

She nodded and I walked away.