Page 68 of Brazen Obsession

Dante meets my eyes but I know what I’m doing. I follow Ms. Stone and wait for her to come out.

She gives me a tight smile when she steps out and a nod of dismissal. Before she can pass me by, I reach out and touch her arm.

“You can stop this.”

She pauses and her blue eyes, so like Dante’s, meet mine. “What?”

I steady myself, ready to do anything to help him. “Dante does these things for his uncle because of you. He doesn’t need his uncle’s protection or wealth anymore. He has his own. But he does this so you remain comfortable.”

“Dante is doing his duty.” Helen stiffens. “It’s important to listen to your family.”

“If you’d listened to your family, you wouldn’t have Dante. And Dante is worth everything.”

She searches my eyes. “Love doesn’t last. Love doesn’t fill an empty stomach.”

“Even if it doesn’t last, you still felt it. Your love gave you Dante. And he shouldn’t have to sacrifice love when he could easily keep you both fed.” I step closer to her. “You don’t need to rely on David. Dante makes more than enough to take care of you both.”

She raises an eyebrow. “What about you?”

Clearly she believes I’m in this for the money as well. Which is the furthest thing from the truth.

“I’m going to make my own money. I don’t need his. The only thing I want from him is his love and he gives that to me freely.” I straighten. “What you gave Dante by coming here was a future. Don’t take that away by forcing him into an arrangement he doesn’t want.”

She drags in a breath and glances toward the dining room. “I never wanted him to be sold to the highest bidder. David always asked Dante and Dante seemed fine to do what David asked.”

“Because Dante loves you.”

Helen reaches out and takes my hand. “I know, but the future is scary.”

“The future is what we make of it. My future will always have Dante in it. I love him and he loves me. That’s all that matters. He has a successful business and I’ll be successful in my career. You don’t have to worry about him anymore.”

She smiles and squeezes my hand. When she leaves me in the hallway to return to the dining room, I use the restroom before returning.

Howard and Agnes are saying their goodbyes when I get back. I move to Dante’s side.

“Can I hug you?” I ask Juliette.

Dante signs it and Juliette nods and hugs me. Juliette and Dante shake hands.

They head out, leaving us alone with David and Helen.

“I think that went well.” David finishes his drink and sets it down. He glances at me before meeting Dante’s eyes. “We can discuss this next week.”

“No,” Helen says before Dante can. “David, you helped us when we needed it and made sure Dante got the best education. I can never repay you for your generosity, but Dante is happy. He’s thriving in his business and he doesn’t need to marry someone to help yours.”

Dante slides his hand into mine.

David straightens, but before he can say anything, Helen continues, “This debt is between you and me. I’m the one who came to you. You’re the one who wanted Dante to be accepted into society, and he has been. But he has his own life to live now.”

Helen steps up and hugs Dante and me. “Go on. I’ll take care of this from here.” She touches Dante’s cheek. “Just make sure to bring me my grandchildren when you have them.”

“Thank you, Mom.” Dante leans into her touch.

I give her another hug and Dante guides me out of the house. When we get outside, the car isn’t pulled around yet. Dante lifts me in his arms and swings me around.

Laughter pours out of me.

“I love you, pip.” He sets me on my feet and cups my jaw before kissing me.