Tesoro: Mayhem Makers

Chapter 21

Chapter

Twenty-One

KATE

My mouth feels dry as I repeat his confession inside my head.

“She was coming home from a trip to see her sister when a drunk driver ran a red light.”

A combination of sorrow and elation fills my chest. He wasn’t married, but something tells me he wasn’t finished mourning either.

Reaching into his pocket, Dante removes the rosary I’d seen him use prior. Deep red, almost black beads, held together by a gold chain.

“Father Michael had this made for me out of the rose petals from her funeral.”

My priest had done the same for me after Nona’s funeral. Sadly, mine were tucked away in a drawer as I’d been too busy to step inside church since starting school.

“What about you; boyfriend, married?”

Something told me he knew the answer. A man in Dante’s position knew the players before agreeing to the game.

“It’s complicated.” More honest words had never crossed my lips. Admitting it felt damning, yet it was true

“Best relationships are,” he leans back, pocketing the rosary, those deep eyes of his peering into my soul.

“Not this one,” I shake my head, anxiety swelling inside my chest.

“Explain.”

“During my last semester of nursing school?—”

“Wait,” Dante held up his hand, his brows bent in confusion. “You went to nursing school?”

“Yes.” Everyone in my world knew the story, I felt silly for assuming he did as well. “I was a nurse for six months before I decided I wanted to become a doctor. Which worked in my favor since I was able to supplement my income by picking up extra shifts. Anyway, I was doing my clinical rotation in the ER when I met this guy, Brady.” Saying his name brought the normal shiver I’ve come to expect where he is concerned.

“He was the arresting officer in a bar fight and came back after the paperwork was done to ask me out.”

Turning my attention to the window, watching as the snow slowly fell outside. “I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve turned him down. My friend, Andi.” Stumbling over her name, the rawness of the situation cutting me to the quick. I missed her, so much my heart ached.

“She encouraged me to go once, to give him a taste of my crazy, which I did. During dinner, I told him I wasn’t interested in a relationship. He completely ignored me, telling everyone who would listen that we were dating. He even went as far as to buy the building I live in.”

I’ll never forget the day he knocked on my door, flowers in hand with a key in the other. Said it was for me to come and go as I pleased.

“At first, Brady was convenient. The firefighters, and paramedics left me alone. The cops were more willing to help when I needed it. My rent hasn’t increased since he moved in.” Shaking my head, I turn my attention back to Dante.

“Sounds like a great guy.”

“He’s an alcoholic,” I blurt out, another secret I’ve kept hidden. “Same bullshit that took my mother. I asked him to seek help, but he um…” I trail off my voice thick with emotion.

“He what, Tesoro?” Dante snaps, reaching his hand out to cover mine.

“He picked me up from work one night, already drunk. I demanded he pull over, but he refused. I jumped out of the car at the first red light he managed to slow down for. He pulled the car over and chased me for three blocks before I slipped on wet pavement.” Rubbing my wrist, the pain is long gone, yet the memory remains.

“He didn’t hit me or anything, his inebriation prohibited it. He scared me, though, something I can’t get past.”

Dante raises his hand, running his thumb along my chin. There was no guilt this time, no wife I thought he was betraying.

His eyes search mine as his fingers moved to my chin, tugging me toward him. When his tongue peaks out to moisten his lips, my eyes flutter closed as I anticipate his lips against mine.

“Tesoro,” he whispers as his lips cover mine. Arms wrap around me, as fingers slide into my hair at the nape of my neck. He tastes of bitter coffee and something unique to him. His tongue dances with mine as he pulls me closer before ending the kiss with two chasten touches.

“There is something I need to show you, Tesoro. I should have done it before I kissed you, but I’ve wanted to since I saw you at the hotel.”

“Okay,” I nod, pushing a wayward strand of hair out of the way as I watch him retrieve his phone.

“This is Bellamia.” Dante turns the phone around, his hand shaking as he places it in my hand.

Taking the phone, my breath catches as I stare at the smiling face of the woman on the screen. It was me, different color eyes and darker complexion, but it was me.