Chapter 98 Explosion
Dakota's P.O.V.
"So, did you guys decide where you want to go for lunch?" I ask as Ari stands and hugs me like he hasn't seen me in days.
"I was telling them about one of my family's restaurants. We serve some amazing lasagna. If you're in the mood for Italian," Ari says, kissing my forehead. I honestly don't care where we go. I just need to get out of this house. I will talk with Tyler at some point, but I need to do it when I'm not ready to rip his head off. I know he didn't rape me, but he touched me in a way that I didn't agree to. I don't like feeling like I was violated.
"That sounds good to me. How about you guys?" I ask Sarah and Noah.
"Do you have Wi-Fi there?" Noah asks the one question that matters most to him as he packs up his laptop.
"Yes," Ari replies as we walk outside.
"I don't think your little sports car will fit us all. Let's have one of the men take us in an SUV." I suggest. Sarah runs down to the men at the gate, and one of them comes back with her.
"I promised whoever came would get an authentic Italian meal as thanks for being our driver. They practically fought each other. Xavier here won," Sarah says, giggling. When I see how the young man looks at her, I have a feeling they weren't fighting over the meal. Sarah looks like a supermodel without even trying. She's tall, with curves, long, silky black hair, and gorgeous blue eyes. She's twenty, but men are the furthest thing from her mind, even though she constantly pushes me to find someone.
Xavier brings out an SUV, and we all climb inside. I feel like I can breathe the further we get from the house. I have always loved the compound, and now I feel uncomfortable there thanks to Tyler. I lean my head on Ari's shoulder and sigh.
"Are you okay?" he asks softly. Sarah and Noah are arguing about the best Italian food.
"I just can't stop thinking about what Tyler did to me. I want to talk to him once I have a clear head. If I did it now, I may pull my knife on him." I look up at Ari.
"I won't do anything before you talk to him, but I swear if he pulls another stunt like that, I can't make any promises." I kiss his cheek, and he pulls me tighter against him.
"Deal." We ride the rest of the way in silence. When we pull up to a small Italian restaurant hidden between two large buildings, I look at it in awe. It looks like someone took a piece of Italy and put it smack dab in the middle of the city. Xavier hands Sarah a piece of paper.
"I’m going to find a parking spot. Text me where you guys are sitting." Oh, he's sly, passing her his phone number even though he would be able to find us as soon as he gets inside. I like him. Sarah's face gets slightly pink as she takes it.
"I will." We get out, and Xavier begins to pull away. I hear him turn the radio on as we walk toward the door. Suddenly, I'm being thrown to the ground as the vehicle we just got out of explodes, and all I hear are screams.