Chapter 56: BACK HOME

MIA

The apartment looked exactly the same as I had left it.

Stepping in almost felt like the last twelve hours didn't happen. It felt like I could blink and pretend I had just stepped out for coffee and returned.

If only it was that easy.

Dante walked ahead and set his keys down on the counter. He stayed there for a moment, back turned to me as he thought about something while I tried my best not to feel anxious.

What's running through his head? Has he figured out my plan?

I swallowed, about to break the silence when he turned around with an expression I would have completely beloved two days ago.

"I'm sorry it came to that," he said. "I should have protected you better from all of it."

I didn't say anything.

"Sit." He guided me to the couch with a hand at my back. "I'm going to run you a bath. You're freezing."

I sat down as listened as water ran in the bathroom. This was going to be easy if I just let him keep doing what he was already doing which in his own way was taking care of me and putting me back into the life that he'd built for me.

He came back with a glass of wine and handed it to me. I took it but didn't drink it.

"We'll be more careful from now on," he said, sitting beside me. "No more outside influences which means no more people who don't have your best interests at heart."

Translation: get rid of everyone.

It was actually terrifying how a few weeks ago this would have had me so happy that he cared about me like that.

"Okay," I said.

He searched my face with his eyes for any signs of reluctance but he wasn't going to find it no matter what. I was going to become just like him when it comes to lies.

"The bath should be ready," he said finally.

I got up, taking his hand in mine which surprised him as I led us to the bathroom. He helped me strip then got into the water, handed me a glass do while I stared at the ceiling.

I looked at my robe where I had folded it and thought about the knife in it. One quick swipe and Dante Voss would no longer be an issue.

But it was too risky and no matter how I tried, I wouldn't be able to bring myself to do it.

I listened to him move around the bedroom to arrange it. This was what I was going to do for the next couple of days, just watch him before planning anything.

It was time to become his own stalker.

I needed to know where he kept certain things, how often he checked his phone, what drawer he kept it and just his everyday routine. The things I had ignored before, I couldn't afford to do it again.

I also needed to figure out what drawers he fo s through the most, which is usually locked and which isn't. I also needed to learn Marco’s number so I could recognize it anywhere, just in case.

I was also certain there was a gun somewhere in this apartment. No way would there be a Mafia second who doesn't have an arm or two. I needed to find that because I had also seen the shape of one through his jacket at the warehouse but I didn't see where he kept it.

The list of missions was almost endless.

I stayed in the relaxing bath until it turned cold then stepped out to find out that he had laid out one of his shirts for me to sleep in. It was the soft grey one I used to fight him for.

I looked at it for a second then put it on and stood at the door of the bed.

"Come to bed," he said.

I did.

He instantly draped one heavy hand across my waist, pulling me to him as he pressed a kiss to the back of my neck and said, “I'll never ever let you again, my love.” He said softly like a vow he was making to himself more than me.

I said nothing as I relaxed into his arms.

I couldn't sleep so I counted his breath, waiting for it to change so I could know he was asleep. It took a while for him to fall asleep and I knew he was restless from today's events.

His hand eventually loosened as he fell deep asleep.

I lay awake and thought about the next part.

I didn't know yet exactly how this was going to happen, only that it needed to be soon, and clean with no strings attached.

I needed to know his weak points like second nature and also make myself one of those so that when I attached, I would be able to do it once and get it over with.

As for Marco, he seemed to be in charge of Dante's men and might be an issue but if the worst comes.

At three in the morning my phone buzzed against the nightstand.

I turned my head slowly, careful not to disturb his arm, and looked at the screen without picking it up.

“There's a tracker sewn into your jacket lining on the right shoulder seam. I'm watching and when you're ready just signal.”

Woah… I smiled.

She had figured out what I was doing. Not just the plan but had also given me a away to each when when the time came

I almost laughed, of course Lin had thought three steps ahead of everyone in that warehouse including me.

I deleted the message quickly then turned.

Dante was still asleep, his breathing even, his arm still draped over me like nothing in the world was wrong.

Now, I just needed to find the right moment to take him out.

I closed my eyes and started planning what that moment would look like.