Chapter 44 His new place
Isabella POV
“Where are we going now?”
Dante drove his truck through the streets of Rome and stopped at a traffic light. “You’ll see.” “Why did I need to pack a bag?”
He kept his eyes straight ahead. “You ask a lot of questions.” “Are you surprised?”
The light changed, and Dante drove once more. He headed through the congested streets and past the ancient cathedrals. Despite the cold, it was a beautiful day. The sun was bright, and the clouds were gone. Snow was piled up in the gutters, turning into slush. “I’m surprised you keep asking questions when you never get answers.”
“I’d like to know where I’m going and how long I’ll be gone.”
“You’ll always be gone,” he countered. “You’ve been gone since the moment I took you.”
I faced forward, abandoning my interrogation. My gun was left in my apartment, hidden in my bedroom until I found the right time to use it. There wasn’t any doubt in my mind I could pull the trigger. I may pity him, but it wouldn’t change the divide between us. We were enemies.
We drove for fifteen minutes before Dante pulled into an empty parking lot in front of a building. The property was protected by a thick black gate that automatically opened when his car got close to it. He pulled into a spot and killed the engine. What was this place? Did he change his mind about killing me? Was this
where he was going to do it? If that were the case, why would he ask me to pack a bag? “Where are we?”
He grabbed my bag out of the backseat and pulled it over his shoulder. “I told you I have a place in Rome. This is it.”
I followed him into the deserted lobby and into the elevator. “You’re the only tenant?”
“Yes.”
Varos had the same kind of set up, but I didn’t say that out loud just in case Dante didn’t know that. We rode the elevator to the top.
“The top floor is my personal quarters. The other floors are for my… hobbies.”
I didn’t ask what those hobbies were because I knew it involved violence and murder. The doors opened to a large living room, designed in a classic. It still had the simplicity his place in Lake Riva had. It was open, comfortable,
and beautiful. The living room alone was enormous. He could entertain fifty people, easily. I admired the rug on the floor and the dark furniture. Without knowing the occupant, I would know that a man lived here. “You don’t like my apartment anymore?”
“Your apartment is fine. I just needed more room.” He pulled the bag off his shoulder and set it on the couch. Now I was starting to panic. What did he need more room for? What if he had a room already set up with the plastic and the camera? What if he was going to return me to my parents in pieces?
Why didn’t I bring that gun?
He must have brought me here so no one would hear my screams. Fuck. I quickly looked around for a weapon. There were a few vases and other decorations, but unless I hit his skull just right, it wouldn’t do enough damage. I couldn’t keep my breathing in check, and my heart was beating out of rhythm. “Come.” He started to head to the hallway. “I’ll show you.”
I didn’t follow, knowing exactly what was waiting for me. Our touching moment yesterday meant nothing to him. I sympathized with his suffering despite what he did to me, and now he wanted to kill me anyway. Maybe my pity was the reason he flipped a switch. Maybe he was starting to pity me in return and he was losing his resolve, so he wanted to kill me now while he could still do it. When I wasn’t behind him, he turned around and looked at me. “I said come.”
The elevator was behind me, but the doors were closed. I could sprint and hit the button, but the doors wouldn’t open quick enough. Even if I could get to my phone, I probably wouldn’t be able to call my father fast enough. And he wouldn’t get here for hours anyway. But I wasn’t going to give up. His eyes narrowed. “Baby, what?”
“Don’t fucking baby me.” I finally made my move and snatched the large decorative platter sitting on the coffee table. I gripped it with both hands and stepped back, ready to smash it against his skull once he came close enough. His eyes widened noticeably, like he was genuinely surprised by what was
happening. “If you think I’m stupid enough to just walk in there, you’re an idiot. You wanna kill me? I’m not going down without a fight. So bring it, asshole.”
Instead of chasing me across the room, he folded his arms across his chest and just stared at me. Adrenaline was pumping in my veins, and I was ready for any move he made.
I had to fight to the death because I had nothing to lose. If I didn’t overpower him, I’d be dead anyway. “I’m not going to kill you.”
“Bullshit. Why else would you bring me here?”
“To show you something.” “A video camera and a knife?” I hissed. “Already seen them.”
He stepped toward me and raised his hand. “Put the plate down.” “Fuck you.” I stepped back as he came closer. “That was my mother’s.”
I almost slammed it onto the ground and shattered it just to be spiteful. He wanted to take away my entire family, so why should I give a damn about a plate?
“I didn’t bring you here to kill you. I promise.”
He said he kept his promises, but he would probably say anything to keep me calm right now. He slowly came toward me, one hand extended. “I have no intention of killing you, baby. But if you break that plate, I might. That’s the one thing I have of hers. Make a single scratch, and I’ll slit your throat.”
I slowly lowered the dish then looked down to stare at it. It was bright blue and decorated with deep sea fish. It was the one thing that didn’t match the rest of his place because the color was so vibrant compared to everything else. When my gaze was lowered, he made his move. He crossed the room and mytook the plate out of my hand.