Chapter 25 Feud

Chapter 25 Feud

There was a mix of fear and wrong tension when one of them held up a knife, his eyes holding a scrawny, awkward glare “I think I’ll take his missus too” he smiled, Dante didn’t respond, his eyes lowered, calmness seeping into the air, the type that comes before a storm.

“You’re going to have to get through me first” Dante smirked, his body in a stance of alert, one feet forward. The first one took a swing at him, missing him completely and taking a hit from Dante quite hard. There was no stopping it, I dialed the emergency line in panic, waiting for when they would stop or at least run. They didn’t, they all lied on the ground almost lifeless.

“Dan—mister Moretti” I called out, holding on his shoulder, bringing his face to meet mine, his soft skin grazing mine as I stared at his face looking for bruises. There was none, he had single-handedly beaten and taken them down as they groaned in pain.

There was no time to waste, we had to check into a hotel as soon as possible—the one we had gone through all the trouble to get.

“Sir—we made reservations for two rooms please” Dante said in a soft baritone, his eyes never leaving the attendant. The lobby scented of mixed cinnamon and minty goodness, reminding me of Jameson.

“Denise is hiding something—I know she is” I mumbled as the conversation I had with him skimmed through my mind.

“You ready to go?” He asked, drawing my attention back to reality. I held onto his hand, following him up to the counter. Just as we were about to move out into the hall, the man at the counter cleared his throat.

“Sir—” we looked back to listen. “Sir it seems it’s only one room left—the other one is already taken” he said in a croaking voice, his grey hair having a part in the middle.

“But I reserved two rooms” Dante pointed out. I turned to both of them. Is he saying there’s only one room left? What happened to the ones he reserved? What about those?

“Yes sir—you did, it’s just that, this man is quite—important” he hesitated, his hand stretched out to take the second key from Dante “Please sir—I apologize, he had come at an impromptu moment and unfortunately we cannot deny his orders sir” he apologized.

“But you just told me that our rooms were ready—this means that you are unreliable” Dante said almost agitated, his voice in a low grumpy tone. I held onto his shoulder, losing my breath, my heart racing, he turned to look at me, his gaze lowered to meet mine, holding me up with his free arm.

“We’ll take the room you have” I panted, using the little strength I have left to hold onto him for support.

“You’re not doing alright—you should’ve stayed in the hospital, your condition looks like it’s worsening—here” he muttered, handing over the key to the man before holding me up to the room.

“I’m fine sir, really, I—am” I stuttered, holding his arm tightly. “I’ll take you up” he mumbled, throwing my arm over his shoulder and picking me up from the ground.

“The—there’s no need to lift me up—I can walk on my own” he couldn’t hear or listen, or Moreso didn’t, his arm went under my legs, suspending them in the air whilst he walked up the stairs with little effort. I couldn’t help but stare at his chests and then his face, his nicely chiseled jawline, etched with a tiny scar next to his lips, they look moist. Snap out of it Lily, this is most certainly not like you!

He makes his way to the front door, placing my down so I can stand on my feet, inserting the key into the keyhole, he unlocks the door. A musty scent hits us right in the face. The room felt like it had been unoccupied for a very long time, it doesn’t really matter to me, I just need to lay down and rest.

I swiftly rush to the bed, letting my body sink in “Oh sweet soft mattress” I mumbled with excitement. He closed the door behind him, settling down the bags.

“So—how’s the arrangement going to be?” He asked me with a raised brow, reminding me that I wasn’t alone, he would be sharing the room with me. I quickly recollected myself, sitting up straight.

“Why don’t we—uh” I scan the room for any tiny alternative that I must be around here somewhere, my eyes catch sight of a little tarp, I squinted to have a good look at it, it would suffice.

“Don’t rack your brain—I’ll sleep over there, you can have the bed” he chuckled, taking out my bag and handing it over to me. His scent lingers in the room, I quickly turn to the other side of the bed “I’ll freshen up first” he announced, making his way to the little door.


It doesn’t take long, I also take some time to wash up, luckily, I don’t find him in the room, “He’s gone” I heaved a sigh of relief.

“Someone’s talking about me?” I heard from outside the door. I jolted at the sound of his voice, rushing back to the bedside.

“I—I didn’t know you were still there” I stuttered, letting the door open to see the smile on his face, he walked in, holding up his phone as he moved. I quickly pull the sheets over my face, my cheeks blush red, my heart raced at the scent of his body. For some reason, I wanted his skin on mine but also I wanted to keep away. His scent, his smirk, his light green eyes endangering my thoughts.

“You don’t need to do that, I’m not a ghost or a bed monster” he laughed, it put me at ease, pulling down the sheets as slowly as I could. “Trying to escape me now, are you?” He sneered, his face looming over mine.

I took my palm over my mouth to muffle the scream I held in my mouth. “Th—this isn’t right” I mumbled, my heart racing once more, his face leans closer to mine, only in a second, I close my eyes shut, his lips plant a kiss on my forehead. I open my eyes to watch him leave.

“Good night Lily” he opens the door and walks out, immediately closing the door right behind him.

My skin feels starved, for some reason, I miss his skin grazing mine, his lips on my neck, his eyes lingering over my lips. I’m turning into him, now I’m the one having such dangerous thoughts, one that I can’t comprehend how.

The next morning, I let my eyes open, hoping it’s not too early as the sun doesn’t penetrate my eyelids “Good morning” I hear a whisper, I jolt, fully awake to see him on the bed, his hand on his chin, his body blocking the rays of the sun, his eyes low and enchanting.

“Wh—what are you doing here?” I squealed, pulling the sheets to my aid as I pushed back. “I thought you had gone! Wh—why are you here?” A smirk forms on his lips, he moves closer to me, I pull away.

“I only left so you would be comfortable—did you forget what happened downstairs? He said this was the last room left” he chuckled. That smile might be the end of me! I quickly leap out of bed, his hand holds me in his grasp, pulling me into his arms.

“Si—sir” I exclaimed struggling to loosen his grip.

“I love seeing you this way” he smiled. Ofcourse he does, whenever I struggle to run from him, he feels most at ease.

“We’re no—.

“Who is in there?!” A loud banging came from outside the door. Dante and I exchange glances.

“I know you’re in there!” The voice yelled some more “Please sir—it’s just guests” a croaking voice pleaded.

“You dare to pick a fight with us!” The banging continued. Not this again. “Come out, come out, we’ll have your missus and skin you alive!”