Chapter 12 The Past
Serena POV
She looked dead serious, frighteningly so. Whatever Dante needs me for, it must be worth it.
I nodded quickly, pulling the sheet higher over my chest to cover my naked frame from her hard stare. Valentina didn’t move a step from the doorway.
“Miss Moretti," she called out when I had stood for too long. "Your clothes are in the wardrobe,” she said casually, pointing to a tall oak cabinet across the room I’d never noticed before.
“Thanks,” I muttered, clutching the sheet tightly to my body as I shuffled over. The room felt longer than before all of a sudden. I raised my head and noticed the high ceilings, and the endless spaces around, like it was built to hide things Dante never wanted to be seen.
Why the hell is this place so big anyway? I thought, glancing around at the gold items and far corners. It's not like I see him here often anyway, he's barely ever in here.
I pulled the wardrobe doors open and looked inside for a second. The rows were filled with several outfits that were neatly hung. There were dresses, jeans, and tops too.
My eyes fell on a beautiful pair of blue trousers and I picked it up, examining it before choosing a simple white top to match with it. Something easy.
"Miss Moretti," Valentina called out again in a drawn out voice.
"I'm coming," I replied without looking around.
Dressing while holding this cover around me wasn't easy at all and it didn't help that she refused to leave the fucking door. I twisted, nearly tripping over the fabric as I had an arm pinned awkwardly.
Valentina laughed from the door, chuckling mockingly. I spun around towards her, surprised by her reaction.
“Miss Moretti,” she finally said after she calmed down, but didn't lose the smirk. “I’ve seen plenty of women like you come through here with Mr. Russo. You can drop the act, there is nothing special under there.”
Her words hit me hard, not the jab at my body anyway... but the part about the other women. Dante’s host of toys. I wasn’t special. I was just the latest, waiting to be replaced when he finds another shiny toy. Heat burned my cheeks.
I dropped my gaze to the floor, letting the sheet drop at my feet.
“Good,” I heard Valentina say from the door, but I didn't bother turning around. “You even have a nice ass.”
I ignored her, holding up the trousers and stepping into them, pulling them up my legs. I arranged it slightly, taking the top next and slipping it on. The fabric felt cool against my naked body, but I had no other choice.
I didn’t bother looking at her as I finished. I just turned and headed for the door.
She stepped aside as I got close to where she was. “After you, Miss Moretti.”
I didn’t respond. I stepped past her and the door, walking off as fast as I could. I could hear her heels clicking from behind me. I took the same hall as before, down to the living room, only moving on when she didn't counter.
I got there and found Dante with Nico in the living room, both standing and looking tensed up.
“Oh, nice. You finally decided to join us,” Dante said with a slightly edged voice.
He looked sharp in a maroon suit that hugged his frame perfectly. He matched it with a black shirt and a black smooth tie. His hair was slicked to the left like always. No trace of last night’s mess. He cleans up well.
I immediately felt uncomfortable as I looked a mess and it didn't help that Nico kept staring at me. I looked down at the floor, not bothering to answer.
Dante had a tablet held loosely in one hand. He gestured to me to come over. “Come see this.”
I stepped closer, then his free hand shot out, grabbed my arm tightly and yanked to himself. “Watch,” he ordered, hitting the play button to a video.
The video played and opened to a view of what looked like the warehouse we were at yesterday. It showed men in black masks storming into the warehouse's entrance and Dante’s guards fighting to stop them.
They exchanged blows and soon began firing at each other till there was blood everywhere. One of Dante's men got his throat slit while another’s head got bashed against the concrete. Bloodied screams came through from the speakers, filling the room.
My stomach twisted. “Dante, I think I’ve seen enough.”
I tried to pull away but his grip tightened, jerking me back. “You watch the whole thing.”
“But—”
He squeezed harder, shooting pain up through my arm. “Finish it.”
I whimpered but stared. The attackers won and dragged the dead bodies of Dante's men out, piled them in the courtyard and set the cars ablaze.
“I’ve seen it,” I whispered. “Can we stop now, please?”
“No.” He paused the video and swiped to the right to reveal a photo.
I leaned in, squinting to see what was on it. There were red smears on the grass—words painted largely in red.
Dante smirked. “Let me help. Luca’s men used my mens’ blood to write: ‘She is ours. She signed. Give her back or face the consequences.’”
Fear surged through my veins. I stared down, my mouth went dry.
He released me, and pointed the tablet at Nico. “That’s where you come in. What did you sign?”
I blinked, trying to remember anything but my mind went blank. “I… I can’t remember.”
He grabbed my arm again, harder. “You better remember.”
“I can’t” I replied immediately with my voice cracking.
He shook me painfully. “If you don’t, I’ll bundle you up and ship you back to Luca. Can’t be fighting against myself.”
I panicked. Back to Luca? He would kill me instantly or worse, tie me up and have me beaten and starved again. No.
“I'm sorry,” I muttered with my head down.
“I don’t want to hear your apology!” He snapped. “I want you to remember what you signed. Tell me so I can fix this mess.”
I went quiet, thinking hard to all the flashes of the past, the papers. But nothing solid came back.
Nico cleared his throat. “If I may, Don.”
I looked up at the sound of his voice. Dante nodded.
Nico took a glance at me before continuing. “I think Miss Moretti’s a bigger threat than we thought.”
“What do you mean?” Dante asked.
Nico raised his hands defensively. “No harm intended,” he paused and switched to Italian. “Sai che voglio il meglio per questa famiglia.”
Dante nodded again and he continued.
“If she signed a marriage contract with Marco, we can’t help her. Keeping her here’s a breach of terms and will serve as.an illegal transaction. We won't just lose on the field, we'll lose with the law.”
My heart hammered against my chest. He was right. I dropped my head lower, my pulse was literally racing at this point. Nico kept talking, validating every point while Dante grunted in agreement.
Then... something finally clicked.
“Wait,” I said, cutting them off and standing straighter. “I remember.”