HELENA'S POV
It took over six weeks of twisting, burning pain of physical therapy to get almost fully recovered, but no matter how many times the doctor told me I was improving the pain was still there –other than physical pain, there was the pain of losing a dream I hadn't even begun to fully chase. The nightmares worsened every time and I was on that same stage with every one staring at me with dense looks, each time I could see my legs hang limp unable to lift it up head. Every time, those two men with the leather jackets mocked me with their evil laughter and the last time they smoked a cigarette while they did it.
Each morning, I woke up covered in night sweats when the gunshots rang in my head. Each damn day I was losing my mind.
We were back in Algreen Cove and for the first time I missed home and I wanted nothing more but to be back in this crime filled city that were run by the gangs and mafias of the town. It felt exhilarating in a way, to breathe the fresh tainted with gun powder and blood but it was home, everyone I loved dead or alive was here, why did I want to leave in the first place.
That morning I woke up, with a start and drenched in my sweat. Dante was still sleeping soundly beside me and I slowly slipped out of the bed and went down the stairs to brew the coffee but on second thought I slipped into the bar and pulled out a bottle of wine and poured myself a glass and took the bottle along still before walking to sit out at the patio where I could watch the sun rise.
"Since when did you start drinking in the morning" I heard Dante's scruff voice in my ears and I turned to find him standing by the door, shirtless and his tattoos visibly running from his neck down his neck, his hair was ruffled but in the most sexy way and I took down a huge gulp of wine and followed him with my eyes as he took the seat next to me.
"Maybe I should hit the studio today, what do you think?" I could already sense the disapproval in the air before I actually looked at him and the grimace stretched out on his face.
"It's not safe Helena" he said
I groaned, filling my glass up again.
"Helena" he called in a warning tone "You might want to take it easy on that"
I rolled my eyes "Stop being such a mom, you're like the epitome of bad influences. Your righteous act is confusing"
Dante sighed, running his hands through his hair. I was being frustrating and I knew it but I couldn't control it because I was trying to run away from something bigger.
"How about you come by the company today" he said "I could set up a space for you, you know"'
"You want me to work?" the thought of it was bizarre, I had never done serious work in my life because somehow everything had been spoon fed to me, a glittering diamond spoon for that matter.
"To keep you busy and so that you don't run through the liquor cabinet in a week – I'm worried about you baby"
"I'm fine" I echoed and even I knew it was a lie, I wasn't fine, I wasn't fine at all and I didn't want to admit it. But Dante's eyes holding mine intensely told me he didn't believe my shit.
"I don't believe you Helena, so get dressed and you're coming with me today"
I folded my hands defiantly "And if I say no"
Dante only chuckled "You know better than that Helena"
An hour or two I was dressed in a black pant suit and my hair tied in a low bun. It was a new look for me because I had never dressed up in corporate wear but yay me, I got shot, lost my shot at a ballet career and now my husband thinks I'm depressed and he's making me work.
"You ready?" he sounded from behind me, dressed equally in a dashing suit that made me want to rip it off him. He saw the way I looked at him and he smirked
"If you're good girl today, then maybe"
Just as we were about to step out of the house, Matteo barged in and grabbed Dante by the collar and punching him square in the jaw.
I gasped "What the hell Matteo?"
"You fucking bastard" Matteo roared angrily, still holding Dante by the collar who pushed him immediately and he staggered backwards. I could tell he was either drunk or stupidly hangover from the way his eyes hung lazily but I could still sense the venom in them, I could feel the intense anger radiating off his body.
Dante on the other hand looked pissed, now with a busted lip "What the hell!" he echoed.
"You fucking knew all these time, you knew and you never said anything"
"What are you talking about?" I chirped in, bearing the same strange look Dante had. Matteo's gaze shifted to me and then he pointed at me
"You know you married a monster right?" he said and then he looked back at Dante, still with venom in his eyes, holding his stare. There was recognition in Dante's gaze, the way he no longer looked so surprise, his jaw ticked angrily and his eyes were wild.
"Do you want to say it, or should I?"
"We can talk about this" Dante said
"Talk about what?" I was the only one confused one now.
"There's nothing to talk about – big brother"
And immediately my jaw dropped.
No way he was actually Dante's brother