“Dante?”
The words are right there. I want to tell him the truth. I think back to Jace’s warning and clamp my lips shut. I close my eyes and shake my head.
“Never mind. I’ll do whatever you feel is needed.”
He rolls me flat onto my back and hovers over me before pushing inside me. I throw my head back into the pillow and cry out.
“I love you, Liz. I’ll always keep you safe. You don’t have to be afraid. I’ll make this right.”
I’m not afraid. Fear is the last emotion I feel. At least not for whoever is out there. I need to talk to Gio. I have to tell Dante the truth.
Dante takes my lips and pours so much passion into the kiss all my thoughts are forgotten. I allow myself to stay in the moment.
When I feel his hot seed spill into me what seems like hours later, I know in my heart something has changed between us and I’m determined to come clean.
****
I wake with a smile on my face. Dante has his arm wrapped tightly around me as he breathes evenly, telling me he’s fast asleep. My phone lights up on the bedside table.
I reach for it and see it’s Gio. I slip from under Dante’s arm and sit up.
Gio: Izzy.
Me: Yes?
Gio: I’m here. Come to your game room.
I get up and grab a robe to pull on. I know if Gio is calling me Izzy, this is business. My heart pounds. If he wants to reassign me now, it will break my heart.
My phone goes off in my hand again. I go to answer the text but freeze when I see it’s Jacob. After his initial calls that I ignored the first week, he had stopped calling and texting.
I ignore the text and keep moving downstairs. I slip into my game room to find Gio pacing like an angry bear. I dart my gaze around the room and find the person I’m looking for in the shadows.
I have no idea why Gio looks so pissed at me. I rub my forehead and steel myself for whatever he’s here for. I clench my fist at my side and toss my phone down on the little desk in the room, then fold my arms across my chest.
“What happened? Did you freeze or something? Why are they still alive, Izzy?”
“I don’t walk with guns at the ready, Gio. My gun was in my clutch. Dante covered me and knocked me to the ground before I could pull.”
He grunts and his nostrils flare. I burst into tears. “I can’t do this, Gio. He needs to know who I am. He put his life in danger to cover me,” I choke out. I pause and take a calming breath.
“I…I love him. I can’t allow that to happen again.”
Gio walks over to me with a smile. He looks into my eyes and nods.
“Good. You shouldn’t hide it from him anymore. You’re both ready.” He lifts his hand and waves Jace over. “He has the address. Kill them all.”
I lick my lips and nod. “Gladly.” I smirk as I allow that door to open and the real Izzy to step out. Jace hands me a piece of paper and my case that holds my guns and skates.
“Izzy, be careful. He’ll kill me if something happens to you, and I’ll never forgive myself.”
I snort. “As if you don’t know who I am.”
Gio gives me a knowing grin and nods at me. My phone lights up on the desk, grabbing his attention. He turns to pick it up with a frown.
“Block him,” he says firmly, handing me the phone.
I look down at another text from Jacob. Unlocking the phone, I do as Gio says without a second thought. The only man I want is upstairs, sleeping in our bed.
“Have fun,” Gio says as I put the phone in my robe pocket.
Jace opens the door to the room and they both slip out silently. I head to my old room to shower and change before I head to take care of this little problem. I won’t have to leave without my man for Italy.
Once dressed and wearing my contacts, I head out to the garage where my car has been since Dante stopped allowing me to travel without Zek to guard me. Case in hand, I climb into my car and start the engine. I pull out of the garage with a smile on my face. It’s been a while since I’ve let Izzy out to play.
Chapter 39
Catching Bodies
Dante
I wake with a sharp inhale. It’s clear something feels off right away. Lizzy’s warm, soft body is gone. I flex my fingers against the cool sheets. With another inhale, I roll onto my back.
Before I can think twice, I pull the gun from behind my headboard and aim. My eyes clear and I put the safety back on and release a breath. “Damn it, Gio. Jace, what the fuck are you two doing in here? Where’s Liz?”