14. Dante
The water falls onto my face, jerking me out of my thoughts.
I finally claimed Gabriella the way I’ve always wanted to. But why didn’t it make me feel more content? I want to go back into that bedroom and fuck her all over again while also avoiding her. Gabriella has a hold over me like no one has before. It’s a little frightening, I’ll be honest. She’s quickly gaining control of our relationship, and I can’t have that. If she’s in control, then I’ll fall in love with her. Hell, I think I’m partly there. I’ve had feelings for her ever since I met her a year ago.
If I’m in love with her, it’ll make it harder to lose her. Because her brothers will find her someday, and they’ll kill me, and I’ll be without her.
I turn the shower off and get out, drying off with a towel. When I go back inside the bedroom, I find Gabriella asleep. Good. That gives me time to think things over.
I get dressed and go into the living room. How can I make Gabriella fully mine and still stay alive? I honestly have no fucking clue, but I need to figure things out fast. I can feel Rocco’s grip on my throat tightening. He’s out for blood, and there’s nothing I can do about it. He promised he’d let me go if I let Gabriella go.
But then I’d be without Gabriella.
I’d rather die.
Fuck, my mind is a mixture of emotions I don’t understand. I think they’re going to kill me.
I eventually fall asleep on the couch despite my mind refusing to quiet down.
When I wake up, I find Gabriella leaning over me, back in her wedding dress. “I really do need to get you some new clothes,” I mutter.
She smiles and steps back as I sit up. “How come you didn’t spend the night with me?”
“Had things on my mind.” I pause. “Did you really want me to spend the night with you?”
“Yes. Dante, I just gave you my virginity. Of course, I wanted to spend the night with you. I wanted to snuggle.”
I scoff. “I don’t snuggle.”
“With me, you can,” she says, plopping onto the couch and throwing her arms around me. Her displays of affection surprise me. I convinced myself Gabriella didn’t want to be with me, but her actions prove otherwise.
I pull away from her. “How do you feel this morning?”
“A little sore,” she admits, flushing. “But otherwise, I’m good.”
“I worked your body hard last night.”
“Only because I let you.”
A smile forms on my lips. “Sure.”
She huffs. “I let you do that to me, Dante. That’s the only reason we had sex.”
“Oh, I know. And I’m glad you let me. It was fun.”
“So, then, why did you leave?”
She’s got me there. I can’t tell Gabriella about how fucked up my mind is, so instead, I stand up. “I’m going to buy you some clothes.”
“Great.” She gets up, too.
“You’re not coming.”
“Why not? You need me there to pick out clothes.”
“No, I don’t. I know your size.”
She crosses her arms. “How can you know my size?”
I let my eyes rake over her body, making her blush again. “Because I’ve seen you naked. I’ve touched every inch of your body. I know your size, Gabriella. I’ll be back in a bit.” I hurry out the door, locking it behind me before Gabriella can get more in my head.
I head to the nearest town and find her some shirts, pants, and dresses. I try to choose things I think she’ll like, but then I stop myself. Why am I buying things for Gabriella that she’ll like?
To make her happy, I realize. I want to make her happy, but the only way to truly do that is to let her go, which won’t make me happy.
I buy the clothes and hurry back.
I stop the van in the driveway when I see a man standing outside the cabin. I don’t recognize him. He’s older with wrinkled clothes. Possibly just some man passing through.
But my cabin isn’t anywhere someone could just accidentally stumble upon.
I get out of the van, and he turns to face me. “Can I help you?” I have my hand ready to grab my gun.
“Just checking the place out,” he responds. “Do you own it?”
“How did you find it out here?”
“I’m looking to buy a cabin for myself. I like yours. Can I make you an offer?”
“Why?” I ask. “So you can save the girl inside?”
The man’s kind demeanor instantly shifts. “Yes.” He reached behind his back, but I’m faster. I pull out my gun and fire it. The bullet hits his arm, making him stumble back and drop the gun he was trying to turn on me. I run over to him and kick his gun away.
“Who sent you?” I ask, sticking my gun against his jaw.
He only smiles and laughs.
“Who sent you?”
“Rocco is coming for you. I told him where this cabin is. He’ll find his sister soon.”
I shoot him through the jaw, killing him instantly. Then I let his body drop to the ground before running inside to see Gabriella sitting at the kitchen table, looking alert.
“I heard gunshots,” she says.
“Come on.” I grab her hand and pull her up. “We’re leaving.”
“Why?” Then her eyes widen. “My brother knows where I am, doesn’t he?”
“Yes. So, let’s go now.”
She pulls away from me, staring me down. “Is this my choice? To leave with you?”
“Fine. You want a choice? Ok. I’ll leave you here. I’ll make my escape. But then we’ll never be together again. Is that what you want? Because if it is, I’ll leave right now without you. But if you want to be with me, Gabriella, then we need to leave. Right now.”
Her eyes flick back and forth over my face before she nods. “Ok. I’ll go with you.”
She grabs my hand.