Chapter 77: Take A Leap

Chapter 77: Take A Leap
Isla
"Dante..." I tried to reach for him but he gripped the wheel harder than the last, swerving into the freeway recklessly.

"Don't push it!" He gritted. "It's bad enough you went to a party outside of the city, what were you trying to achieve causing all that havoc? What the hell happened to laying low?!" He tried to yell but he was trying hard to keep his cool.
"I am trying to talk to you here." I forced it out of me. "Please..."

"I don't want to hear it!" He said. Making us flinch. Rosa shrugged as I made impressions with my eyes to help out. It was her idea to go to a party where hitting a woman was allowed. I shook my head in disappointment, this wasnt supposed to happen. I watched Dante as he kept quiet, listening to Rosa in the background, convincing him. I rubbed my wrist slowly, my mind spinning, Dante's eyes met mine briefly. It was the longest time he had looked into my face. His eyes glanced at my wrists, I stopped involuntarily as he tightened his jaw.

"You are hurt." It wasn't a question.

"I'm fine."

He scoffed. "Typical."

"What do you mean by that?"
"You would always say you are fine when it is clear you are not." He let it go, not sparing me another glance.
He breathed as the silence became heavy as it hovered around us. "What were you thinking?"

Rosa coughed, "That depends on who you are speaking to?"
We all gasped as Rosa shrugged, and she shrugged as Dante became more provoked. Here I was thinking of ways to not annoy him more than he already was, but she had other ideas.
"I needed space."
"And a club is where you found it? I think I already know Carmen's reason. I expected Rosa to at least let you guys know the risks of what you were about to do." He tasked. "I don't even have to expect that from her. She's your best friend. I can tell she is the bad influence."
"We just needed some air, okay. God knows, we need a break from all the testosterone flying all week."

"Rosa..." he gritted, holding the wheel harder than he needed to.

"While you are staying mad at us. Try not to run us into any building. I still want to live."

Dante shook his head at my failed attempt to lighten the moment. "At least tell me you guys are better off than the guys you fought."

Carmen, shoots herself forward. "You should see the other guy. Rosa was a badsss. Isla was pretty good at avoiding kicks. I bet if she had a gun, we would be in for murder right about now."
"Damn right. Because I paid a lot of money to get you guys out."
"It isn't your territory?" I asked.
"Hell no. It is Bellini's. Those cops are under his payroll, I had to pull a favor. Something I don't like doing." I rolled my eyes. For the past week, he has mentioned a few things he didn't like doing, although not in so many words. "Costa would meet us back at the..."
"Wait what?!" We all barked at once. Dante narrowed his eyes, confused. "You can't do that. " Carmen retorted. I had an inkling that he was going to do something like this but I believed I could talk him out of it.

"I have already." He said. "Besides, this isn't your war. I suggest you stay out of it." He tilted his head. We were already at the mansion.
"It doesn't matter. She is my friend." I gritted. Carmen was already frantic. Rosa couldn't place her words together, the amount of alcohol she took must be getting to her already.
"How? You just met her. You don't even know the situation she is in."
"I know enough." I folded my arms as we got out of the car. Dante ran his fingers through his hair.
"Tesoro, I had a long day. It has been a long drive, so we should go in and freshen up. I could really use a cold shower. I don't have the strength for this."
I breathe, taking a few steps towards him. My eyes met his unflinching. "That's fine. Because Carmen would not be going with him." If I had someone who had fought for me, with Dante maybe I would have a different life than this. Even if I didn't, it would have been nice to know someone fought for me. I would have loved it. The fear didn't elude Carmen, it was visible, swirling around those watercolor eyes of hers. The party girl on the dance floor who wasn't scared of anything was quite different from the one a few feet away from me. I haven't met this Costa guy but I could already picture what it was like with him.

"You don't understand. You think you do. Costa doesn't take anyone without cause, this is a case of blood and oath. It is against the law for a mafioso to interfere in another's affairs. This is Costa's business and she knows it the moment she foolishly ran away from him." Our eyes met Carmen as she lowered her gaze. That was our answer. A strange Range Rover drove into the mansion. The door opened with force, when a man dressed in a white shirt, and black pants. His rolled up sleeves, disheveled curly hair, and tall but a bit lanky. His beard was full, his eyes narrowed as he kept staring at Carmen. His eyes were empty and void of any kind of emotion, carmen was right to fear him, to run even. There was something chill about him and I wasn't comfortable.

The way they stared at each other, it seemed like they communicated without words, he ran his hands through her skin. She flinched as a very corny smile formed on his lips. "Thank you for finding her." He gave a nod at Dante.

"You must be Isla. The pleasure to finally meet you."
"I can't say the same." He narrowed, searching my eyes to say more but I glared at him.
Carmen came to my side, smiled wistfully "Thank you. Honestly, this is more than anyone has ever done for me. You don't have to worry, I will be fine."
"Seeing him, I don't think you will."
She sighed. "Please let it go. What Rosa didn't tell you is that, my engagement with him is more complicated than a mere contract. I have learned now that I cannot escape it." I pulled her into a hug, and she blinked back tears.
"If you need anything..."
Costa walked up front, grabbing her arms. "That wouldn't be necessary." He led her into the car as they drove off.
"Tesoro..."
"This is what you guys do, take women from their lives and use them as bargaining chips. You become more like your grandfather by the second." Dante breathed, not saying a word. He sketches his arms to mine, and I fold my body out of my grip.

"Just stay away from me."
"There's one thing you need to know," Dante began, i paused on my tracks. "The contract binding Costa to Carmen? She signed it. I know she could have gotten out of it but she didn't. So running away and other tantrums could cause a war you can't afford."

"Why?"
"It is not our business." I stumped inside the mansion, ready to retire for the night. Rosa had already found her way to her room. I could feel his eyes drilling into me from behind, as I turned into the first hallway. My eyes met hers, she was all dolled up. The corner of her lips formed into a smirk, holding her clutch tighter as her index finger rolled the car keys. My eyes shifted to the mahogany door left ajar.
The interiors were familiar, closely familiar.

She had just stepped out from...Dante's room.