Page 38 of Broken Promises
Dante considers me from where he stands by the kitchen sink, sipping his coffee. A frown makes an appearance out of the blue. “Forget it.” His clips, his tone sharp. “Don’t even ask.”
“What?” I frown, confused by his sudden annoyance.
“No.” He takes a step forward, pointing a finger at me. “And that’s the end of this conversation.”
Grace chances a glance in our direction. Her ears perk up, and her cheeks flush pink as she skims over Dante. She averts her gaze hastily when she catches me watching her every move.
I focus back on him. “Don’t boss me around, or I swear to God—”
“No,” he snaps again, boiling the blood in my veins. “This one thing is out of the fucking question, Layla. We won’t even talk about kids for a few more years.”
“Stop interrupting me!” I throw my hands in the air and smack them on my thighs. Not the best idea, considering the stitches that sting like crazy. I wince, breathing through the pain. “You’re not my father; you’re not my boss. You’re my fiancé, so start acting like one.”
I didn’t have to point out Dante’s new status, but I can’t help the green-eyed monster rearing its ugly head because of Grace. The enormity of my betrayal blew my insecurities out of proportion.
Dante exhales, squeezing the bridge of his nose. He closes his eyes briefly as if fighting an internal battle. “You’re too young...” he mutters before his eyes fly open. “Fuck it.” He crosses the room to crouch before me, hands on my legs. “Fine. You want a baby; you’re getting a baby.”
I exchange a confused look with Carlton, who watches Dante with one eyebrow raised that does little to hide his mild amusement. He shakes his head at me, shrugging his shoulders. I guess I’m not the only one who has no idea about what’s going on.
The look on Dante’s face is soothing and disturbing all at once. He’s willing to scrap whatever plan he has for us in the near future based on my whim. Non-existent future, but he doesn’t seem to acknowledge this dreaded fact. Selfishly, I cheer inside that he holds my happiness on a pedestal.
“If you’d stop interrupting, I’d tell you I don’t want a baby.”
His shoulders sag, relief painting his face. “Good.” He takes my hand, kissing the inside of my wrist. “You’re too young, Star.”
“My imminent death poses a bigger problem than my age.”
“You’resafe.I told you no one will touch you. I told you to stop worrying.”
Easier said than done.
***
Grace walks into the house with an enthusiasticgood morning!that bounces off the walls. Her smile slips when she realizes I’m the only one home. She only smiles when Dante’s around, infuriating me beyond reason. As long as she keeps her hands to herself, I don’t attack. I wouldn’t mind her presence half as much if he didn’t like her, but he does. A lot. Too freaking much.
“Good morning.” I cross my legs where I’m sitting on the couch. “Start upstairs today.”
If she wants to say something along the lines ofyou’re not my boss, she doesn’t let it show. Good for her because Iamher boss, and she better not piss me off while I’m already jumpy. With a curt nod, she climbs the stairs, leaving me alone.
Unable to sit still, I get up to pace the living room, treading a path in the plush carpet I asked Dante to buy to keep my feet warm while we watch a movie in the evening. My eyes dart to the clock on the wall every few seconds while I’m waiting. Waiting way too long.
Dante left half an hour ago to meet a high-profile hacker Jackson found. He’s known for tracing those who can’t be traced. The prospect of this guy finding Morte lifted Dante’s foul mood ten times more than the best blowjob I gave him earlier could.
He’s on edge, worrying about my safety so much that he’ll end up gray-haired by the end of the month. I try to relax him whenever he’s home, but even sex isn’t enough to ease the tension of his muscles for longer than a few minutes.
I’m not sure why he’s so worried. So far, we’re in luck. I’ve been back in Chicago for five days, but no one has tried to kill me yet. It’d prove troublesome considering the armed army of Dante’s and Julij’s men outside the front door, the vicious dogs on the premises, and bulletproof windows throughout the house, which I’m not allowed to leave. Not even to inhale a mouthful of fresh air on the terrace.
I sigh, set my phone on the table, and glare at the door as if I can summon Julij if I stare at it long enough. What is taking him so long, anyway? He was at the hotel, not far from Dante’s house, when I called. He should be here by now.
For three days, I begged Dante to let me visit Jess. Be that as it may, sheismy mother. Since my future has a big question mark painted all over it, I want an opportunity for a healthy, peaceful conversation, a few answers, and burying the hatchet. Maybe even a chance to build our relationship from scratch without Frank’s meddling.
As expected, Dante refused to let me visit or bring Jess over here. He claims he can’t trust anyone right now, not even the woman who told him where to find me.
No matter how many times I tried to convince him, his answer was always the same.
“No, Star. It’s not safe.”
He might’ve forgotten I’m not the type to be ordered around. He wants his sassy star back. He wants me to stop being afraid of him...
