Chapter 46 I Need Answers
Dante's POV
It was an old picture, like it was taken years back and was that of a man with a hard face like a general. And with the way she quickly turned it over, there had to be more to it.
But I let it go, not the reason I'm here. She quickly showed us to a few rooms, the first being the one Nico would be staying in then she showed us another.
"The girl can stay here," she said, "now to yours, Mr. Russo."
"No," I interjected, "the girl and I stay together," I added.
"Really? Okay then, you too can stay here," she said, pointing to the room. It had a middle sized bed with another smaller room, probably for the bathroom.
She eyed Serena as she passed by. "So you are the new queen of this gang," She said softly.
"Don't be quick to judge," I said flatly.
She raised her hands up defensively. "No fight here big dog," she teased. "Just know, the walls here are thin, can't take much force," she added with a grin.
I ignored it and led Serena in, pulling the door shut with a click. Great, some quiet. Finally.
Serena's POV
I wasn't bothered by the fact he just indirectly kicked against the idea of me being his queen. I didn't even have the space to think, my mind was swarmed with the text.
Right from the car, the text sang on repeat in my head. I was stunned by how spot-on it was, how bad shit happened right after. I guess the warning was real.
I was worried sick through the ride, glancing down at my phone, wondering what else he would say. I had to be careful, Nico's eyes were on me too much, like he was beginning to suspect something.
I shoved it deeper into my bag, pretending everything was normal.
Now, in the room, my nerves were getting the best of me. Dante was searching through every nook and cranny of the room. From under bed to the closet and even behind the curtains, like he was expecting a trap or camera.
I decided to try out a conversation to distract my mind a bit. "So... that woman. You trust her?"
He grunted, checking the window lock. "Don't know yet."
"She seemed helpful. Weird timing, though," I shrugged and responded.
"Yeah," he replied without giving it a thought.
I tried again. "And the attackers, who do you think was behind it?"
"Can't tell yet, possibly a few locals who were paid off," he responded, still not looking my way.
"And earlier, why did you agree to her place so quickly?" I asked again.
"It was the best option," he replied in a clipped voice.
I tried to say something else but he walked up to me and frustratedly shook my shoulders. "Okay, Serena, what is it?"
I didn't answer immediately, I mentally wondered if this would be the right time to tell him, but also, I was unable to shake off the thoughts of the consequences of doing so.
So I kept quiet.
Dante got right in my face with a raised brow and his hands now spread out wide. "Come on, spill it," he said.
I took a deep breath as the words were stuck somewhere in my throat. Then I thought of the quickest lie I could give. "Dante, I want to tell you that... that... that..."
"That?" He tilted his head impatiently.
I took another deep breath, steadying myself and lowering my head before chickening out. "I want to tell you that I don't want to see you die. You scared the living shit out of me back there. I can't... I can't see you die."
He tilted his head to the side, then a smile tugged faint at his lips. "It's part of the job, piccola. Risks come with the ring. But... I'll take it into consideration. I'll throw less caution to the wind next time."
I smiled back tight, a forced one that he must have seen as he asked immediately. "Is that all?"
I nodded.
"You sure?" He asked again.
I nodded again.
Then he nodded back and stood up. "Okay then. Be good, I've got business to handle," he explained and left quietly.
I breathed out heavily once he stepped out, like I was releasing all the pressure. "Why can't I just tell him?!" I yelled at myself and plopped back on the bed. I punched the mattress a few times with my arms at my side. "Damn it. Why is it so hard?"
I got up, paced and ran a hand through my hair, tugging at the strands painfully. My phone caught my eye and I grabbed it quickly, unlocking it. The message from the mystery guy greeted me immediately.
"I warned you, but you didn't listen"
I tapped it open and replied fast.
"Who exactly are you?"
Its reply came instantly. "I explained that before."
Then I texted back. "What do you want?"
It replied fast again. "I've explained that before too."
"Where are you?" I texted back.
His response came instantly again. "Everywhere you go, I watch over you."
"Why?" I texted back.
He replied. "For the same reason, to ensure everyone's happy."
I grew frustrated as my fingers flew around.
"Is the woman bad?" I asked.
"No, she's the wife of a late mafia boss." It responded.
"How do you know all these? From the crash to this?" I texted.
"Don't ask." The blunt message came back.
"So what now?" I texted, frustrated at this point.
"Now? now you learn the truth."
Dante's POV
I left Serena, still wondering if she's really coping well with everything happening so far as she had been acting strange recently.
I knew she would want me with her right now, but someone had to find answers, and I guess it's me. I made a quick search that ended with the first spot as I found the lady in the kitchen. She was stirring a pot on the stove with steam rising with a rich, spicy smell of chicken soup.
I couldn't let any of that get to me. I stepped in and ensured she heard me. "Time to talk, woman," I said in a flat out voice.
She turned to me and didn't even flinch, like she was expecting me all along.
"Dante, what took you so long?" She asked, confirming my thoughts.
"You were expecting me?" I asked.
"Of course, I saw the look in your eyes, I knew you would want answers at some point," she replied with a smile.
"Enough of that, we need to talk. Now," I replied, tired of her games.
"Yes, we will," she replied calmly. "After eating, of course," she added, not bothering to look up all along, just kept stirring the pot and adding stuff.
"I'm not playing games with you," I shot back.
She turned off the burner and wiped her hands on a towel. "I don't play games, Dante," she said with a faint smile. "Food's ready by the way. Call your people, let's settle down and eat first."
I closed the door behind me with a bang. "This conversation matters between us, and it's happening here and now," I finalized.
She nodded her head and walked over to the seat by the small table. "Fair point. Now, sit. This is going to be long.”