Chapter 41 What A Sight
Serena's POV
My hands trembled on their own as I read the little words just shy of the center of my screen. There was practically no way to put it than the way I read it.
"Dante's head, or Dante's ring."
I blinked once, then twice, blinking hard again but the words didn't budge. I read it once more again, slower this time around. "Dante's head, or Dante's ring.
Then I read it again, twice, the same words. Then read it thrice, repeating it under my breath, more like a whisper. Like saying it out loud might make it real.
But none of it changed.
Then I tapped the screen with a shaky finger, opening the full chat. It was still there, glaring right back at me. And when I saw no change, I turned on myself. "You idiot, why would you think it'd change?"
I closed my eyes and rested my head on my folded fist with a long sigh and opened them slowly to read the text again, pausing at the name in it.
Dante, oh gawd. It dawned on me immediately, he must have been waiting downstairs for me and must be annoyed by now as I had just excused myself to grab my phone.
I know it hadn't been too long, but it felt like hours, I had been drawn by the words on my screen. I wanted to reply, my fingers hovered over key pads.
Who are you? What do you want? Those two questions bombarded my mind, holding up my hand from typing. But then, a heavy knock banged the door, startling me so bad, I jumped, just barely saving my phone from a crash.
I shoved it quickly in my little black clutch bag and rushed to the door. Opened it to fish one of the housekeepers standing there.
"I know, I know. I'm sorry," I rushed out, not letting her say a word. I brushed past her and walked as fast as my heels permitted. I swayed down the hall to the elevator, jabbing the button and nervously shaking as I watched it move. I paced inside as it seemed to be taking forever.
My mind went far during that time, back to the message. Dante's head? Or his ring? That couldn't mean much other than, his head meaning to kill him and his ring, the family symbol, his symbol of power?
Why those particular items? It must be an enemy, it must think I'm really stupid to agree to his daft plan of using me to take Dante down.
The elevator doors pushed open and I stepped out quickly, hurrying to the exit. Outside, Dante was leaning on the new maroon car that looked menacing under the lights.
Nico was beside him, and a few men were scattered around talking low among themselves. I rushed over, panting as I came to a slow stop. "Sorry, I got held up—"
Dante didn't wait to listen, he jumped into the back seat and the men piled into the others at once.
"This trip is already eventful," I muttered under my breath, then followed him in, sliding beside him. I caught Nico's glare as he got in front, cold and icy as usual.
As my door shut, the car pulled out smoothly. I sat silently, staring at my clutched bag as my mind ran back to the message. "Dante's head, or Dante's ring." I can't imagine the Romanos using me to kill him, or steal his power.
I shivered at the thought and hugged the bag closer.
Valentina's story flashed before my eyes. The story of that woman who had also been trapped till Dante's father died. She got her freedom after his death, the same thing the message was implying.
But wait, could it be her? Could it be Valentina pushing me to run through texts? Nah, Valentina had been direct before, she didn't need any anonymous bullshit.
I took a break, then a deep breath before slowly exhaling. I looked up at Nico in front with his eyes straight on the road ahead. My side-eye caught Dante, he was staring at me intensely.
I laid back into the leather seat and pulled my phone secretly from the bag. Then typed quickly, "are you a friend? Or an enemy?"
Sent and stared at the screen, but no instant reply came. Frustrated, I turned it off and looked out through the window, resting my head on the glass.
A few minutes dragged on and my phone vibrated again in my hand. I jerked up immediately and checked it quickly.
"I am a friendly enemy who wants everyone to be happy."
What the fuck is this? I asked myself, mentally face palming myself. Friendly enemy? Bullshit. What game does he think he's playing? But there was no time to reply, the car slowed to a stop.
I looked up through the glass at the small hanger-like spot inside a massive fence beside a gorgeous bungalow. It had white walls, manicured lawns rolling out like a carpet and this private kinda vibe.
I stepped down as men did with another car pulling up and more guards spilled out. I tucked my phone into my bag and followed the group towards the gate, uncomfortable as hell as I was the only woman in their midst.
I admired the setup outside, it was a makeshift hanger, but still pretty fancy. It had a polished concrete floor with a high ceiling and exposed beams painted clean white.
Outside, there were three jets parked side by side, two sleek midsize, silver bodied ones with black accents on the wings and tail. They both looked fast and agile like sports cars in the air.
But the largest stole my attention immediately. It was massive, towering maybe 20 feet high with a gold trim edging the windows and doors. The wings were wide and swept back elegantly.
Dante whispered by my side. "Welcome to my little airport."
We strolled in and I took a good look at the bungalow's interior. It was like a mini terminal with a check-in counter that had glowing screens showing flight paths and weather reports, a comfy looking set of lounge chairs arranged around low tables.
It even had a small bar stocked with bottled water, snacks, and mini liquor bottles. The staff were dressed in crisp uniforms, buzzing around and checking the few bags the man carried with scanners and one chatted with Nico.
I asked Dante quietly. "Could they actually stop us from flying?"
"Yeah. They could," he replied.
"How?" I asked. "They work for you, thought these all were some sort of formality," I added, pointing at everything.
He chuckled. "They do. But doesn't mean they'd toss their brains out. They check routes, the weather and the safest takeoff times," he explained.
I nodded, it all was making sense, kinda impressive if I must admit.
Nico raised a thumb to Dante from across and Dante replied with a quick nod. Then he tugged at my arm gently. "Come on, we've been cleared to move."
I followed nervously, slowing my steps instinctively at the larger jet up close. The curves were fucking smooth, would totally give any model a run for their money.
The stairs dropped down invitingly with a red carpet lining the entrance. The paint was clean white with a Russo crest gold on the tail. It was glorious, looked intimidating, yet luxurious. The windows were tinted dark, hinting at a better inside.
Dante whispered into my ear. "Beautiful sight, isn't it?"
I stuttered. "Yeah... yeah it is. Must have cost a fortune."
"Millions actually. It was my dad's pride, he sunk everything into it back then." He paused for a second. "I got the other two after taking the ring."
I mouthed a wow, impressed. He laughed. "Wait till you see inside," he teased, then patted my back. "Let's go."
I approached the dropped stairs and just when I raised my foot to step up, my phone buzzed in my bag. I paused and watched as Dante was already nearing the top.
I continued and stepped on the first step, then it buzzed again. I couldn't ignore it, I pulled it out quickly and stared at the screen only to step back immediately, nearly dropping the phone.