Page 42 of Dante

“And the reason Dante married me,” I say, the words bitter in my mouth.

“C’mon, Gina, don’t be like that.” Angie bumps my shoulder with hers. “Your mother was from our side of the family. An arranged marriage shouldn’t have been a surprise to you.”

“Not a surprise,” I say, thinking back to the first time I set eyes on Dante and instinctively knew he’d be mine. “But I always thought there’d be love.”

Angie pats my shoulder. “Arranged marriages can turn into love,” she says slowly. “But the secret is not to expect it.”

When we reach The Circle, I look over at Angie. “Will you come up with me?”

She shakes her head. “I gotta get back. I’ll see you at Silvio’s party, though.” She waves as the cab speeds away.

I turn to face the building but hesitate before going up to the apartment. Just what was going on?

CHAPTER 16

GINA

Ihead for the shower as soon as I enter the penthouse.

Though I never saw who was following us, I can’t wait to strip off my clothes like a contaminated second skin.

I crank the faucet as hot as it’ll go and step under the spray. Water pounds against my neck, my breasts, and my stomach, washing away the feeling of being watched.

The pleasant scent of my body wash fills the steamy air as I work it into a thick lather. I slide it across my body, making sure nothing of the outside world remains on me.

Just as I’m drying off and tying the sash of my robe at my waist, I hear the front door slam.

My heart jumps into my throat.

“Gina!” Dante’s voice echoes through the penthouse.

I rush to meet him, my bare feet slapping against the marble floor.

“I’m here!”

He’s standing in the entryway, chest heaving, suit jacket askew.

Dante’s black eyes lock on mine with an intensity that makes my stomach flip. Sweat beads at his temple, and I can see the rapid pulse at his neck.

“Tell me everything,” he demands, closing the distance between us.

His hands grip my shoulders, fingers digging in enough to make me gasp. “What happened?”

“I’m not really sure. I didn’t even see them. But Angie was certain we were being tailed...”

His jaw clenches. “How dare they…” he says, almost spitting the words.

The heat from his body radiates through my robe, making me aware of how little I’m wearing.

I grip his arm, feeling the hard muscle beneath his expensive suit.

“Dante, what’s going on? You can’t keep me in the dark like this.”

My voice comes out higher than I intended, betraying my fear.

His eyes darken as they sweep over my face, then down to where my robe has slipped down my shoulder.

He takes my hand and leads me to the sofa in the living room, his fingers hot against mine.