EPILOGUE
Domus Nostra
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What is happening to this country? Suddenly we’re glorifying a murderer just because he’s incredibly charming?
What are these girls thinking? Where are their parents?
Why isn’t anyone stopping these girls from camping out in front of the police station waiting for Dante Marino to show up?
This is complete madness. (@deisebloombastic)
New York - USA
Snow was piling up on the courthouse windowsills when I left the last hearing of the year. An emergency case—my client was clearly guilty.
I said goodbye to my assistant and was walking toward the exit when my phone rang. Our photo together flashed on the screen, followed by his name.
“Dr. Torres.” That deep voice I miss every single day. We hadn’t seen each other in person since he’d left for California to coordinate a research team.
“Professor Marino.”
“It’s still strange hearing you call me that.” He laughed, and the simple sound of his laughter was enough to ward off any cold that might touch me in the hours ahead.
“Have your students stopped sighing when you walk by?” I teased.
Dante coordinated a team of gifted young people, which basically made him a Marvel superhero in their eyes.
To some, he was like a mix of Tony Stark and Bruce Banner.
To the girls, he was the perfect blend of Captain America and the Winter Soldier. I was a little jealous. Maybe a lot.
“I don’t know. I’m usually too busy running off to find some quiet place to call you. Or dodging calls from those TV channels that want to make documentaries about us. And you… that Voight guy, your boss’s friend—is he still trying to take you out?”
“The last offer was tempting.” I laughed, remembering they’d invited us to do a couples reality show. “About Ron, relax. I told him my fiancé was a murder suspect.”
Outside the courthouse, fine snow fell on my hair and coat. The dark city contrasted with the pristine white of the snow, though soon enough the two would merge into frozen slush.
“Tell him there’s no law stopping me from breaking his face.” Dante laughed, making me laugh too. “Plans for Christmas?”
“Nothing special. My big plan right now is making it to my car through all this snow in these heels.” I kept my eyes on the steps to avoid slipping.
As soon as I reached the street and looked up, I recognized the car parked a few yards ahead and ran toward it. He was leaning against the hood, phone pressed to his ear, hair tucked under a thick beanie.
“Merry Christmas, love.” His voice on the phone was so comforting I wanted to cry.
My heels sinking into puddles of dirty, melted ice in this gray city weren’t going to wipe the smile off my face. I ran into his arms just like I had almost a year ago.
“I can’t believe you made it!” I shouted like a child. Dante had said we wouldn’t be spending our first Christmas together.
“I told you I’d destroy half the world just to see you smile.”
“I hope you left some walls standing. I don’t want to have sex in the snow.” I pressed my lips to his.
“I don’t think we’ve tried that one yet.” He was still holding me in his arms.
“Get a room!” a homeless man shouted from across the street.
“Why are we always skirting the law?” I joked.
“I think it’s because that’s where all the fun is.”
“That must be why girls love villains… And I love you, Dante Marino.”