Page 140 of Dante

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Out.

The shaking doesn't stop.

But I can breathe.

Dante pulls me against his chest.

The blanket bunches between us. His skin is warm. His heart pounds against my ear.

Fast.

He's scared too.

He just hides it better.

"I've got you," he murmurs into my hair. "I've got you. Nothing's going to touch you. I promise."

I want to believe him.

I want to so badly.

But my door is broken.

And there was a sniper.

And two minutes ago his cock was in my mouth and now there are bodies somewhere in my building.

The sob that tears out of me is ugly.

Raw.

I bury my face in his chest and cry.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Dante

Ihold her until the sobs slow.

Until her breathing evens out.

Until the shaking becomes tremors instead of convulsions.

Then I ease her back against the couch and stand.

My wound screams.

I ignore it.

I dressed while she cried. Sweatpants. Shirt.

Now I need to dress her.

I drop to my knees in front of her.

The pain is immediate. Like someone shoved a hot poker through my side.

I grit my teeth.

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