Chapter 10 - Shadows of the Hidden Safehouse
The sound of the gunshot cleared the Drake Hotel in under sixty seconds.
Dante didn't look at Vincent's lifeless body on the marble floor. He holstered his weapon, stripped off his blood-spattered tuxedo jacket, and threw it to the ground. Turning to his men, he gave rapid, ruthless commands.
"Strip Gianna of all assets. Lock her in the basement holding cells at the compound until I determine the extent of her involvement. Mobilize every soldier we have. We go to war tonight."
Then, he turned to me.
Without a word, he grabbed my hand, pulling me into the private VIP elevator that led directly to the underground parking garage.
"Dante, where are we going?" I asked, my heart racing as the elevator descended. "Where is Matteo?"
"Matteo was evacuated thirty minutes ago by my elite unit," Dante replied, his chest heaving as he pulled me into his arms inside the elevator, burying his face into my hair. "He is at the island sanctuary in Lake Superior. We are flying there now."
Two hours later, Dante’s private Gulfstream jet landed on a remote, snow-covered airstrip on a private island off the coast of northern Wisconsin.
The island safehouse was a massive Scandinavian-style timber lodge perched on a rocky cliff overlooking the dark, frozen expanse of Lake Superior. It was completely off the grid, equipped with independent power generators, satellite communications, and a perimeter guarded by former special forces operatives.
The moment we walked through the heavy timber front doors, a familiar joyful squeal echoed through the great room.
"Mama!"
I dropped to my knees on the thick sheepskin rug as Matteo came toddling toward me on unsteady little legs, his arms outstretched.
I scooped him into my arms, burying my face in his soft blonde curls, weeping tears of pure relief. "Matteo... oh, my sweet boy. You're safe."
Dante stood above us, watching the scene unfold with an expression of profound, quiet reverence.
After Matteo was fed and put to bed in the master suite, Dante and I sat before a roaring stone fireplace in the great room, sipping hot spiced tea. The blizzard outside battered against the thick triple-pane windows, but inside, the room was bathed in golden warmth.
"You saved my life tonight, Elina," Dante said softly, staring into the flames. "If you hadn't stopped me from drinking that champagne, I would be dead, and Matteo would be an orphan."
"We protect each other," I replied, setting my mug on the low cedar table. "That’s what family does."
Dante turned to me, his dark eyes reflecting the flickering firelight. He reached out, his warm fingers tracing the line of my jaw, tilting my face toward his.
"I have spent my entire life surrounded by blood, betrayal, and violence," Dante whispered, his voice trembling with an emotion he had never allowed himself to feel. "I thought my heart died the night Isabella was taken. But you... you brought light back into this cursed life. You gave my son a mother, and you gave me a reason to survive."
Tears pricked the corners of my eyes. "Dante..."
"I love you, Elina," he swore, his words heavy with unshakeable devotion. "Not because you share her face. But because you possess a soul more radiant and courageous than anyone I have ever known. I will spend the rest of my life proving it to you."
I didn't answer with words.
May you like
I reached up, framed his scarred, handsome face with both of my hands, and pulled him down into a passionate, breathtaking kiss that sealed our fates together forever.
That night, on the soft fur rug before the roaring hearth, with the winter storm howling against the frozen world outside, we surrendered entirely to each other—body, heart, and soul.
