Page 186 of Dante

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My mind drifts.

Dante's hands on my body. His voice in my ear. The way he looked at me like I was the only thing in the world that mattered.

"Marina? Are you listening?"

"Sorry. What?"

"I asked if you've been seeing anyone. You never tell me anything about your love life."

My love life.

I almost laugh.

"There's nothing to tell."

The lie tastes bitter.

"You know, your father and I just want you to be happy. After everything that happened in Chicago..." She trails off. "We worry about you, sweetheart. All alone in Denver."

"I'm not alone."

The words slip out before I can stop them.

"Oh?" Mom's voice perks up. "Did you meet someone?"

I close my eyes.

Dante's face swims behind my eyelids. The scar through his eyebrow. The way his jaw clenches when he's trying not to show pain. The softness in his eyes when he looks at me.

"It's complicated," I say.

I feel awful and great at the same time. My body still hums from what we did. My skin still tingles where he touched me. I want him. God, I want him. More than I've ever wanted anyone.

But I'm terrified.

This world. His world. The violence that follows him like a shadow. The cartel that wants him dead. The family that operates outside every law I was raised to respect.

"Mom, I need to go."

"Already? We barely talked."

"I know. I'm sorry. I'll call you soon. I promise."

"Okay, sweetheart. Take care of yourself. And Marina?"

"Yeah?"

"Whatever's going on... trust yourself. You've always had good instincts."

I hang up.

The phone drops to my lap.

For now, I need to stay safe.

Then I'll figure out what to do.

Now, let's have some breakfast.

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