Chapter 5 - TEN MINUTES
Dante waited outside the hotel.
Elena had chosen a hotel near the lake, one with a public lobby and a discreet security desk. She had told the receptionist not to give out her room number. She had also instructed the driver to remain nearby.
Mia checked the corridor before Elena stepped out.
“Do you want me to come?”
“Yes.”
“Then I'm coming.”
Dante stood beside a marble pillar. His two guards remained near the entrance, far enough away to suggest he had followed her instruction not to bring a crowd.
When he saw her, he took one step forward.
“Where is Leo?”
“With Mia.”
“Is he safe?”
“He's safer than he would be with you.”
Pain crossed his face.
“I deserve that.”
“You deserve much more.”
He nodded.
“Can we talk?”
“You have ten minutes.”
“Thank you.”
“Don't thank me. Start talking.”
Dante looked toward the lobby's glass doors.
“Victoria came to me the night before our wedding. She had documents showing that someone inside my organization had been sending information to federal investigators. The transfers were made through an account connected to your name.”
Elena frowned.
“My name?”
“She showed me bank records, copies of messages, and a photograph of you meeting a man outside your father's house.”
“I don't know what you're talking about.”
“I know.”
“You know?”
“I knew the documents didn't prove you were involved. But they were convincing enough that my captains would have believed them. If they thought you were informing on the organization, they would have treated you as a threat.”
Elena felt sick.
“So you married Victoria.”
“She told me she could keep the evidence from reaching the council. She said if I refused, she would send it to the men who would come after you.”
“And you believed her?”
“I believed she had access to the people who could hurt you.”
“You could have told me.”
“I thought if you knew, you would try to confront her. I thought keeping you away from the Moretti family would protect you.”
Elena laughed bitterly.
“You protected me by marrying my sister?”
“I made a decision I thought would keep you alive.”
“You made a decision about my life without asking me.”
Dante lowered his head.
“Yes.”
The admission left no room for argument.
Elena crossed her arms.
“Why didn't you come after me when I left?”
“I did.”
She stared at him.
“What?”
“I went to your apartment. It was empty. I called your phone until it stopped connecting. I sent people to the places you used to visit. Nobody knew where you were.”
“You could have found me.”
“I could have searched every country. But Victoria told me you had left because you hated me, and she showed me a message that appeared to come from you. It said you never wanted to see me again.”
Elena shook her head.
“I never sent that.”
“I know that now.”
“Why now?”
“Because I found out the message was sent from a device registered to Victoria's office.”
For a moment, Elena could only hear the lobby's soft music.
“Did you ever love her?”
“No.”
“Did you sleep with her?”
Dante looked directly at her.
“We shared a house and a public marriage. But I never loved her. I never wanted her.”
“That's not what I asked.”
He hesitated.
Elena's face hardened.
“I see.”
“Nothing happened between us, Elena.”
“You expect me to believe that after eight years of refusing to marry me, you married her and want me to accept that it was all for my protection?”
“No. I don't expect you to accept anything. I want to show you the evidence.”
“Then show me.”
Dante took a slim folder from inside his coat.
Elena did not reach for it.
“Not here,” she said. “My attorney will review it.”
“Of course.”
“And you will not approach Leo.”
His expression tightened.
“Can I at least know whether he's healthy?”
“He is healthy. He is happy. He has a life.”
“I want to be part of it.”
“You should have thought of that three years ago.”
Dante accepted the blow.
“I know.”
Elena turned to leave.
“Wait.”
She stopped without facing him.
“Victoria knows you're back. She has people watching the airport and the cemetery. I don't know what she wants yet, but you need to be careful.”
Elena looked over her shoulder.
“Are you warning me or threatening me?”
“Warning you.”
“You've spent eight years deciding what I can handle. You don't get to do it anymore.”
She walked away.
Dante did not follow.
But as Elena stepped into the elevator, she saw him take out his phone and make a call.
His expression changed.
Whatever he heard, it was bad.
He looked directly toward the elevator doors before they closed.
And Elena knew the ten minutes had not ended the danger.
May you like
They had only given it a name.
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