Page 107 of King
My heart stopped for a moment, then started pounding out of my chest. “What does that have to do with me, or Dante?”
“I’m sorry, but he was arrested earlier this evening and charged with her murder.”
They let themselves out without another word as I sagged against the couch and started shaking uncontrollably. I was still shaking thirty minutes later when the doorbell rang again.
It was Pop, and I burst into tears right in the middle of the doorway. His arms enveloped me as he patted my back and told me everything was going to be all right.
“He didn’t do it, Pop. There’s no way Dante would do that, but they –“
“Calm down, darlin’. They know that now. You confirmed his alibi, and so did the doorbell camera across the street at the Kirschbaum place.”
I looked confused, and he led me to the couch as he explained a little more. “From what we were able to find out from Abby’s dad, Star was found Friday night, but the coroner says she was killed in the wee hours of Friday mornin’. My son was here with you, and Miriam’s video proves it. They should be releasin' him soon, so I’m headin’ over to pick him up.”
I nodded numbly, trying to take it all in. I was horrified that Star had been killed, and equally horrified that Dante had been arrested for it.
Pop left after I assured him that I would be OK, even though I didn’t think I would be unless I could see for myself that Dante was free.
I paced back and forth until I couldn’t stand it anymore. In desperation, I stormed into the kitchen and started grabbing things from the pantry, starting with flour, sugar, and baking powder. I wasn’t sure what I was going bake yet, but it was always a soothing activity and right now, I needed to be soothed, dammit.
I ordered my smart home device to play my favorite streaming station, then decided to start measuring the ingredients for my favorite brownies, which just so happened to be Dante’s favorite as well. I screamed in frustration moments later as I realized I’d reversed the measurements for the sugar and the cocoa powder. I’d been making these fucking things for years, and could probably make them in my sleep, yet I couldn’t focus.
I dumped the contents of the mixing bowl in the trash and started over. When I attempted to crack an egg and ended up dumping the yolk on the counter and dropping the entire shell into the bowl, I dropped my head as I slammed my hands on the counter and cursed. Loudly and creatively.
I heard a familiar chuckle, and then burst into tears as I raised my head and saw him standing in the doorway.
Dante rushed over and wrapped his arms around me, rocking me in his arms as I clutched him tightly and sobbed against his chest.
“It’s OK, sugar. I promise you. It’s all over with,” he soothed, pressing soft kisses on the top of my head.
I breathed him in, letting the scent that was uniquely Dante wash over me.
Eventually, we ended up in the living room, snuggled in the corner of the couch as Dante explained that the charges were dropped, and he was in the clear.
“They should never have arrested you in the first place. It’s ridiculous to think that you would kill Star.” I felt him tense and then he pulled away to look me in the eye.
“I didn’t have anything to do with Star’s death, but make no mistake about it, I would have killed the man who threatened you. Somebody else just beat me to it.”
“Well, I’m glad they did. You’re not a killer.”
“What if Ihadkilled Pic?” His voice was so quiet I almost didn’t hear it.
“I would say that you did what you needed to do, but I would hate that you had to have that on your conscience.”
“I know for a fact that my conscience wouldn’t bother me for killing a man who hurt someone I love,” he said solemnly.
I stared at him, and he met my gaze unflinchingly. “You want me to be honest, Ella? It didn’t bother me at all. I’ve slept just fine these past few years.”
I slowly nodded as I realized what he was telling me. I rested my head on his chest and listened to his heartbeat as I absorbed the truth. He was giving me the ultimate proof that he trusted me with his secrets.
Neither of us said anything for several long moments until I whispered, “You’re a good brother, Dante.” I think we both knew I wasn’t referring to the MC brotherhood.
“Thank you, sugar.” A few seconds later, he whispered. “She would have loved you because you don’t take any shit. She didn’t either.”
