10. Dante
10
DANTE
A s I stand there, watching Chiara disappear into the house with her father, I wonder if everyone can hear my heart breaking. The urge to confess everything, to declare my love for Chiara in front of them all, had been overwhelming for a moment. But I know it would only end in disaster—ruining Chiara’s reputation and likely getting me killed.
Even if there were a chance Don Marino might approve, Chiara’s words echo in my mind, reminding me of his disdain for someone of my position. Inferior birth and whatnot.
God, that still stings.
But the cold reality of our situation settles over me like a heavy shroud.
When Chiara stepped in with her lie, it felt like a door slamming shut. Our chance to come clean, to face the consequences together, vanished in an instant. And despite knowing that the truth could be deadly, it still stings that she chose to guard our secret so fiercely.
A small, traitorous part of my mind begins to whisper doubts. If she’s so quick to deny us when the stakes are high, will she really fight for our love when push comes to shove? Or will she let me go, choosing duty and family over what we have?
I shake my head, trying to dispel these thoughts. I know Chiara loves me. I’ve seen it in her eyes. I’ve felt it in her touch. But the fear lingers, a cold knot in my stomach.
The weight of our impossible situation bears down on me. The Avilovs are coming today. Chiara will meet her intended husband today . And I’ll be forced to watch from the sidelines, powerless to stop it.
A wave of jealousy and despair nearly overtakes me. I’ve never felt more out of place, more acutely aware of the divide between Chiara’s world and mine.
I’m about to turn and leave when Dominico’s voice cuts through the air. “Not so fast, Dante.”
My stomach tightens as I turn back to face Dominico and Rork. Their eyes are fixed on me, their expressions unreadable. Despite the nervous flutter in my chest, I straighten my shoulders and meet their gazes steadily.
“Can I help you with anything?” I ask, keeping my voice calm and neutral. “I apologize, but I need to get back to the compound to ready myself for the day.”
Dominico takes a step closer to me, his hazel eyes never leaning mine. “I’m sure you do, Dante. But we have a few questions first.”
Rork, his scarred face impassive, nods in agreement. “It’s not every day we find a soldier alone with a Marino daughter at dawn.”
I swallow hard, fighting to maintain my composure. “As I said to Don Marino, I stumbled upon Chiara during her walk. I was simply escorting her home safely.”
“Of course,” Dominico says, his tone skeptical. “And I’m sure it was just a coincidence that you happened to be in the right place at the right time.”
I can feel sweat beginning to form on my brow, but I hold my ground. “Is there something specific you’d like to ask me, gentlemen?”
Rork steps forward, his scarred face twisted in a frown. “Yeah, there is. What’s really going on between you and Chiara?”
The directness of the question catches me off guard, but I manage to keep my face neutral. “I’m not sure what you mean. Chiara and I have a cordial relationship, nothing more.”
Dominico’s eyes narrow. “For your sake, Dante, I hope that’s true. Because if we find out there’s anything more going on…”
He leaves the threat hanging in the air, but I understand it perfectly. My life, my future, everything I’ve worked for, hangs in the balance of how I handle this moment.
“I assure you, there's nothing improper between Chiara and me,” I say, my voice firm despite the fear churning in my gut. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I really do need to get back to my duties.”
As I turn to leave once more, I can feel their eyes boring into my back. I’ve managed to deflect their questions for now, but I know this isn’t over. The stakes have just gotten higher, and I’m walking a tightrope with no safety net.
The weight of what just transpired settles heavily on my shoulders. The questioning from Dominico and Rork has left me shaken, but it’s the realization of what’s truly at stake that fills me with a deep sense of loss.
Maybe I should have taken the risk and run away with Chiara when she begged me to. The thought of her meeting the Avilovs today, of her potentially being married off to a stranger, makes my chest tighten with pain and regret.
I know Chiara. I know how much she loves her father, how desperately she wants to please him. And when she’s under pressure from her family, she tends to fold. The fear that she might actually go through with this marriage is suddenly very real and terrifying.
My mind races with all the missed opportunities, all the moments we could have chosen differently. But now, it feels like we’re out of time. The Avilovs are coming, and Chiara will be face to face with her intended husband.
I clench my fists, fighting back the urge to turn around and storm back to the house, to declare my love for Chiara in front of everyone. But I know that would only make things worse. It could ruin her reputation, get me killed, and destroy any chance we might have of a future together.
So instead, I walk on, each step feeling like it’s taking me further away from the woman I love. The sense of loss is overwhelming, and for the first time, I allow myself to consider the possibility that I might actually lose her.
The thought is unbearable, but I force myself to face it. Because if there’s even the slightest chance of keeping Chiara, I need to be prepared for the fight of my life. And I need to hope that when push comes to shove, Chiara will choose our love over her family’s expectations.
But as I reach the compound, doubt gnaws at me. Will she be strong enough to defy her father? Or will I be forced to watch as the only woman I’ve ever loved marries another man?
The uncertainty is agonizing, and I’ve never felt more powerless in my life.
* * *
When I open the door to the compound, I’m surprised to see my father, Victorio, standing inside. His eyes narrow as I draw near.
“Where were you, Dante?” he asks, his voice sharp with suspicion.
I keep my face neutral as I reply, “I found Miss Chiara walking in the woods and escorted her back to the main house, sir.”
To my relief, he nods, seemingly accepting my explanation without question. Then his expression hardens, his voice taking on the commanding tone that always sends a chill down my spine.
“Listen up,” he barks, addressing me, Sal, Johnny, and Leo. “Assignments have changed for today. The Avilovs are coming, and it’s all hands on deck. We need to ensure the Marinos, the Sicuras, the O’Malleys, and the Avilovs are fully protected.”
Sal, always quick with a smart remark, pipes up. “But the O’Malleys and Sicura guards are already here. And the Avilovs will bring their own, too. Why do we need more?—”
Before he can finish, my father’s hand shoots out, grabbing Sal by the collar and yanking him close. The sudden movement is so swift, so vicious, that we all take a step back.
“Did I fucking stutter, Sal?” Dad growls, his face inches from Sal’s. His voice is low, dangerous, promising violence. “When I give an order, you follow it. You don’t question, you don’t complain. You obey. Is that clear?”
Sal’s face pales, his earlier bravado evaporating instantly. “Y–Yes, sir. Crystal clear.”
Dad releases him with a shove, his eyes sweeping over the rest of us. “Any other questions?”
We all shake our heads, the tension in the air palpable.
“Good,” he says, his voice still carrying that edge of menace.
Dad reaches into his jacket, pulling out four folded pieces of paper. He hands them out to Sal, Johnny, Leo, and me with swift, precise movements.
“These are your assignments for the day,” he says, his voice leaving no room for argument. “Dante, you’ll be with me in the welcoming party for the Avilovs.”
I feel my heart sink, the protest rising in my throat. But before I can even open my mouth, Dad’s eyes lock onto mine. The look he gives me is chilling—a silent warning that brokers no disobedience. I swallow my words, feeling the weight of his authority.
Dad continues, addressing the others, “Sal, you’ll be patrolling the perimeter of the east wing. Johnny, you’re on surveillance in the security room. Leo, you’re guarding the back entrance.”
As he speaks, his voice grows harder, more intense. “I expect each of you to be in position and ready before the Avilovs arrive. They’ll be here any moment, and I will not tolerate any of my men being late or unprepared.”
He pauses, his gaze sweeping over us like a physical force. “Is that fucking clear?”
We all nod, a chorus of “Yes, sir” echoing in the tense air.
“Good,” Dad growls. “Now move. You have five minutes to get ready and be in position.”
As the others scramble to obey, I stand rooted to the spot, my mind racing. Being part of the welcoming party means I’ll have to watch as Chiara meets her potential husband. The thought makes me feel sick.
But one look at my father’s stern face reminds me of the reality of our world. There’s no room for personal feelings here. No matter how much it hurts, I have a job to do.
With a heavy heart, I turn to prepare myself for what promises to be one of the most difficult days of my life.