Chapter 59
The black SUV came to a stop in the middle of the bridge. The doors opened, and men stepped out, their heavy boots thudding against the concrete. Their flashlights swept over the wreckage, the wrecked cars still burning, sending up thick clouds of smoke.
One of the men moved closer, narrowing his eyes as he looked over the edge of the bridge into the dark, rushing water below. “It looks like..” he muttered, tilting his head, “Dante Romano is dead.”
A heavy silence followed his words. The wind whistled through the metal bars of the bridge, carrying the sharp snell of burning fuel.
Before anyone could respond, a low growl of an engine echoed through the night.
A sleek red Ferrari pulled up. The moment it stopped, the doors opened, and a mysterious woman stepped out.
The sharp click of
of her h
heels against the concrete silenced every man around her.
Dressed in a form–fting black ensemble, her presence was both commanding and nuthless. Her gloved fingers flicked a cigarette to her lips, igniting the tip with a lighter. The glow of the ember cast fleeting shadows over her beautiful face and sharp eyes.
The men around her bowed their heads slightly. “Young Miss,” one of then spoke with a respectful nod. “It seems Young Master Dante and his wife. Elara Romano, are dead.”
She inhaled slowly, the cigarette burning between her fingers as her gaze swept over the wreckage, the still–rippling river below. The only sounds she could hear were the crackling remains of the car and the steady rush of the water.
Exhaling a slow stream of smoke, she stepped forward. Her gloved hands rested lightly on the bridge railing as she leaned a little, looking af the big
Then, she smirked
“Dante Romano is not dead” She said in her commanding voice.
The men stiffened
She turned to look at them. “Until I see his corpse with my own
own eyes, I won’t believe it.
She took another slow drag;, then flicked the cigarette away, watching as it tumbled down into the darkness below.
“Find them” Her voice burdened. “They must have escaped into the forest, Jump into the river if you have to. Spread out search every inch of this
The men hesitated for only a second before scattering, barking orders into their radios, their guns drawn as they started to search.
The hunt had begun, Dante. I will get my revenge. Let’s see how far you can get The wornen murmured.
On the otherside
Dante leaned back against the tree’s rough bark, Jus injured shoulder throbbing in pain. His s other arm was wrapped protectively around Elara, her
mall frame tucked into his chest as if the world outside didn’t exist.
The was sleeping.
a smirk.
Fucking sleeping He exhaled sharply, biting back a smirk.
But his amusement didn‘) last. The low hum of voices in the distance caught his attention. Movement. Flashlights danced between the trees, illuminating the misty forest with eerie glows. The men were geining e closer.
Dante kept his palm near Elara’s car, shielding her from the noise as he slowly turned his neck, eyes narrowing.
Too many of them.
They were just searching them.
murmured, shaking her lightly. She didn’t stir.
“Elara,” he tried again, a linde firmer. Her head simply rolled
dled against his arm, her soft b breathing steady, peaceful
Dante just stared at
red at her. How the fuck could someone sleep so peacefully surrounded by danger?
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11:46 AM
Chapter 39
“My crazy little wile,” he muntered, biting her cheek not hard, just enough to make her stir.
Elara groaned sofily, her brows pinching in sleepy irritation before she turned her face and nuzzled deeper into his warmth, Dante sighed, shaking his head. There was no waking this woman genily.
So he did the next best thing. With a slow smirk, he shook his head violently, sending the cold water droplets from his damp hair raining down onto her fact.
Elara grumbled in annoyance, swatting at the air before blinking her sleepy eyes open. Her gaze landed on him.
For a second, just a second, Danie forget about everything and almost lost himself in her eyes. But the moment shattered as her eyes widened, darting around in confusion
Dante quickly pressed a finger against her lips, silencing the words before they could escape. Then, he tilted his head, gesturing roward the moving shadows in the distance.
Her body stiffened instantly. Awake now, aren’t you, princess!
“We have to move,” he whispered against her ear. “It won’t take them long to find us.”
Elara pouted. Actually pouted. Dante bit back a groan, watching as she pushed herself up and for the love of all things holy, started walking in the opposite fucking direction.
His patience snapped
“Tuck woman” he whisper–growled, dragging a hand down his face. “Won’t you help your husband here?!”
Elara blinked. Then, as if realization just hit, she turned back around with an innocent nod. Dante exhaled sharply. Insane. Absolutely fucking
“Spread out! they couldn’t have gotten far! The voices echoed through the dense forest
Dante’s grip on Elara’s hand tightened as he pushed forward, his breathing ragged, his steps uneven. Blood loss was taking its toll. Elara shot him a worried glance “Will you even be able to move?”
Dante clenched his jaw, rolling his injured leg with a grunt before gripping her hand tighter. “Shut up, woman. Move faster.”
Elara scowled but didn’t argue. Now wasn’t the time.
They weaved through the thick undergrowth, dried branches scratching against their skin, the damp earth clinging to their shoes. The deeper they went the darker the forest became.
Minutes bied into hours.
Danic movements became unstable, And then-
He collapsed.
“Fuck!” Elara gasped, dropping beside him.
“I guess we have to spend the night here, she murmured, her voice laced with exhaustion.
Dante didn’t angur. His body was shutting down, the blood seeping from his wound pooling onto the moss–covered ground beneath them.
Elara’s eyes darted toward the sky, barely visible through the thick canopy of the forest.
Won’t Luca track us soon?” she panted, holding up her hand. The dim moonlight caught the shimmer of her wedding ring. “With this?”
Dante’s sharp gaze flickered toward the ring.
His expression darkened.
How do you know that?”
Elara smirked butterly, tilting her head. “Just a guess. It’s funny, isn’t af Her fingers twisted the ring slowly. “Why would the great Dante Romano let an enemy’s daughter roam so freely. I thought?“.
Dante exhaled heavily
She knew
2/3
Chapter 59
His eyes flickered to the ring on her finger, the same ring he had slid onto her hand himself, binding her to him in every way p
She raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to answer
Hut Dante only smirked.
“Smart little wife,” he murmured, tilting his head. “And here I thought you were just too busy falling for me to notice”
Elara rolled her eyes. Arrogant bastend.
“So, I was right, she muttered. “There’s a tracker in it, isn’t there?”
Dante didn’t deny it.
Instead, he pushed himself up slightly, his museles flexing as he adjusted his position. His sharp.
“You don’t s
seem surprised,” he finally said, his gaze locked onto her.
possible.
hody was exhausted and bleeding, but his mind was still
Hara let out a breathless chuckle, shaking her head. “I’m married to you, Dante. I’d be an idiot if I didn’t ex
expect something like this.
She lifted her hand again, studying the ring. In the malia world, its a symbol of power. Control. Possession. A beautiful cage.
Dante reached out, his fingers wrapping around her wrist, pulling her closer.
“Elara,” he murmured, voice low, almost dangerous. “That ring does more than just track you.”
Her breath hitched. The way he was looking at her. It was something dark.
“What else does it do?” she whispered.
Dante’s lips curied. He wasn’t going to answer that. Not now.
Instead, he released her wrist, leaning his head back against the tree. “Luca will find us,” he said. “But until then, why don’t you help me with this annoying bullet in my fucking shoulder
AD
