Crimson Vows: A Dark Mafia Romance

Chapter 10

Igrip the door of Dante’s black sports car as the city blurs past us. The engine growls, a beast in the night. Wind tears through my hair, the cool air sharp against my skin.

“Maybe we should avoid getting arrested before we make it to Gia’s,” I shout over the roar.

Dante nods, his eyes on the road and his hands tight on the wheel. “Yeah, yeah, I got it.”

Streetlights streak above us. We’re flying, weaving through the darkness toward her.

“Seriously, man, slow down,” I urge as we pass through another hard red light.

Dante eases up on the accelerator. Leaning farther into his seat, he huffs, “You used to like that I was so reckless.”

I chuckle. “I don’t think I would phrase it that way.”

He glances my way, an eyebrow raised as he shrugs. “Whatever.”

“I think we should really take a minute before we get there to talk about Gia,” I say, my voice steady despite the chaos of the ride.

“I don’t really see what there is to talk about.”

“How about what she did for me?” I suggest, trying to remind him I am only alive because of her.

“Fuck, dude, I get it. She saved your fucking life, and as much as I appreciate what she did, I don’t think that exactly makes her a goddamn saint.”

“Dante, I don’t think you get it. I owe her everything.”

Dante’s fingers tighten on the steering wheel. He glances at me, a flicker of understanding in his eyes. “I hear you.”

“I need you to more than just hear me; I need you to understand,” I press. “She’s more than—”

“I said I got it!” He cuts me off sharply.

“Based on your fucking attitude, I don’t think you do. If you care about me, you’ll give her the respect she deserves.”

“Can we cut the bullshit?” he asks, staring at the road straight ahead.

“What do you mean?”

“Just admit you’ve got it bad for this chick,” he answers, never looking away from the path ahead.

I shake my head and chuckle softly. “No, it’s not like that. I’m just grateful, I guess. That and she’s different from most people.”

“It sure sounds like you’re in love with her or something.”

“Wow.” I look over at him, blinking repeatedly. “Are you jealous?”

“What?” He gasps. “We always agreed we were nothing more than friends who enjoyed our time together. Why would I be jealous?”

I place a hand on his thigh. “I know what we said, but I think we can both agree that we moved past that definition a long time ago.”

Dante stiffens as my hand rests on his thigh, and the car swerves slightly, the sudden movement jolting us both.

“Whoa!” I laugh, pulling my hand away. “Maybe I should let you focus on the road.”

He nods, clearing his throat and trying to shake off the distraction. “Sorry.”

Silence settles between us, charged with unspoken words and unresolved feelings. The city lights dance across Dante’s face. He doesn’t look like other men I’ve been with. His frame is large and muscular, and his presence never goes unnoticed. He’s loud and uses humor to defuse uncomfortable situations. He speaks without thinking more often than not. And all of these things make it so special when Dante allows himself to be vulnerable with me.

“I know you never want to talk about it, but we both know we’re more than only friends with benefits.” I finally break the silence, my voice low.

Dante glances at me, his eyes searching mine for a flicker of reassurance. “More to what?”

“Come on, don’t be like that. To us,” I confess, the words hanging between us like a forbidden truth. “It’s okay that we care deeply about one another.”

Dante glances at me, his expression conflicted. The car hurtles down the road, the night swallowing us whole.

“I thought we both agreed that wasn’t an option,” he mutters, his voice strained.

I grab his hand, the connection between us sparking like electricity. “I know what we said, but feelings aren’t something we can always control.”

He doesn’t pull away, his fingers interlacing with mine as he focuses on the road ahead.

“Dante, I care about you,” I confess in barely above a whisper.

“Then why do you need her?” he asks.

I shake my head, trying not to allow frustration to creep in. “What she did... I owe her everything. But that’s not all we’re talking about here.”

“What does that mean?”

“It’s not her that’s the problem. It’s the fact that you can’t deal with the way I’m built. I told you from the start that I’m polyamorous. I never hid that from you,” I state firmly, unwilling to allow him to redefine the parameters I’ve been so transparent with.

The car swerves, a near miss. I grip the leather seat as Dante’s unsettling laughter rolls out. “Damn you. You’ve fucking ruined me. You know that, right?”

“Ruined?” My brow arches in question.

“Before you”—he gestures wildly—“I was content. The women, the bars... But you showed me there’s more to taste in this life.”

I watch Dante’s face soften, his eyes meeting mine, silently acknowledging our shared experiences. The car slows as we approach Gia’s neighborhood, the tension between us easing.

“I never wanted to ruin you,” I admit, my voice tinged with regret for upending the simplicity of his life. “I felt a connection between us, and I thought you could handle the way I was. I wanted to show you something different from what you had ever known.”

His grip on the steering wheel relaxes, a small smile playing on his lips as he glances at me. “Well, you certainly did that.”

“You make it sound like it’s a bad thing.”

“I’m sorry, I don’t mean to. Honestly, as much as I fucking hate to say it, you changed me. It’s crazy because nobody can probably understand what it’s like to live the kind of life we do every day, but you got it. I don’t have to pretend when I’m around you.”

“And I love that.”

“Yeah, well, that’s why I’m having such a hard time watching you go off and fall in love with some woman.”

I smile. “Nobody is falling in love. Why do you think I wanted you here tonight?”

“Fuck if I know.”

“It’s so you can get to know her too. I’ve known Gia since she was a teenager, and there has always been something special about her. We weren’t close before the incident,” I state, trying not to focus on the night Gia’s father shot me. “But it has always been obvious that Gia isn’t like other people. She lives by her own rules and respects other people who do the same. Most people in our world would never accept us for who we are.”

Dante laughs, but I can tell he doesn’t think what he is about to say is humorous. “You’re not wrong, if any of the boys in my crew knew about us... shit. I don’t even want to think about what they would do.”

“Exactly.” I continue. “That’s why we need people like Gia in our lives. She’s the freedom to have friends in our lives who let us be who we want to be without any judgment.”

“Freedom.” He repeats the word like a vow, then nods, sobering up. “So earlier today, at the restaurant...”

“Yeah, that was a disaster,” I finish for him, still staring out into the night. “But it’s fixable. I’m telling you, she’s worth it. Not just for me but for you too.”

“Fine. I’ll try,” he says with a heavy exhale.

I watch the veins in Dante’s thick forearms pop against his skin as he downshifts the car. The black sports car slows to a crawl. I glance up, taking in the sight of Gia’s brownstone. My heart beats a rhythm of anticipation.

“That’s all I’m asking,” I assure him.

Dante eases to a stop. His blue eyes meet mine, and there’s a promise in them to at least make an effort tonight.

We step out onto the sidewalk, the night wrapping us in its embrace, the city’s hum a distant echo. I reach out, my hand landing on the soft fabric covering Dante’s arm.

“Hey,” I say barely above a whisper. “I got you.”

His gaze locks on mine, blue eyes sharp and attentive.

He nods. “I know.”

“Thank you.”

“For what?” he asks, his tone gruff as always.

I let my fingers linger, feeling the warmth of his skin radiate through his clothes. “For understanding why I need to have her in my life.”

Dante snorts softly, but there’s no mockery in the sound, only recognition. “You don’t owe me thanks for that.”

“I do. I know this isn’t easy.”

“Shit, Nico.” Dante’s low rumble breaks the tension. He shakes his head, disbelief playing across his features. “You’re one hell of a complex guy.”

“Complex?” I quirk up an eyebrow. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

He shrugs, his massive shoulders moving in a fluid motion that belies their bulk. “Just trying to keep up with you.”

“I’m serious. Not everyone is receptive to this whole polyamory deal...”

“I’m not sure I would say I have exactly been receptive,” he chuffs.

My lips twitch. “More than most.”

He shrugs. “You might be complicated, but you definitely keep things interesting.”

I give him a playful shove, a grin tugging at the corners of my lips. “Can’t have you getting bored now, can we?”

Dante chuckles, his eyes crinkling at the edges as he shoots me a mischievous look. “Bored? Yeah, I don’t see that ever fucking happening with you.”

Side by side, we move toward Gia’s place, the familiarity of our stride grounding me. A final glance passes between us; no additional words are needed.