Page 96 of Blood Vows

Dante’s blood went cold, and Marco whispered, “Holy shit.”

Elena gripped Dante’s hand harder, and Antonio gave a sad smile. “I’ve watched Dante.” Dante stared at the screen as though her father was speaking directly to him. “He’s loyal. That can make a man dangerous.” He paused again. “It can also make him honorable.” Dante’s throat tightened. “If you’re hearing this, Dante, protect my daughter from Hale.”

Elena covered her mouth. Antonio’s final words came softly. “And if she lets you, love her better than this world ever did.” The screen went black, and no one spoke. Dante felt as though he couldn’t even breathe when Elena turned toward him. Tears streaked her face, and he reached for her. She went to him willingly, and Dante pulled her into his chest and held her while something inside him finally broke open.

Antonio Romano knew everything. He knew Hale would use Dante, and he knew that he might die. But somehow, the bastard still trusted him with Elena. Dante pressed his mouth to the top of her head. “I’ll do it.”

She pulled back slightly. “Do what?”

He looked at the black screen and then at her. “What he asked.” Her eyes filled again. “I’ll protect you.” His hand cupped her face. “I’ll love you.” He paused. “And we’ll end the fucking Empire if that’s what you want.”

Elena stared at him for a long moment and then nodded. “That’s what I want.” Dante looked at Luca, and he gave one slow nod. The decision was made. The Crimson Accord would end. Hale would lose the money, the leverage, and the empire he had killed for. Then, only after everything was gone, Dante would give him the one thing Hale had earned—a grave.

Elena

Elena had spent most of her life believing blood made a family. She knew better now. Blood could bind, it could betray, and it could build empires and destroy them just as easily. But love was a choice, and for the first time in her life, Elena understood the difference.

She stood in Luca’s study with her father’s video still frozen on the screen, and Dante’s hand wrapped tightly around hers. Around them, the room had gone silent. Luca, Isabella, and Marco were staring at the black screen like Antonio Romano might somehow come back and explain the rest. He wouldn’t. Her father had said what he needed to say.

Destroy the Accord.

Do not inherit it.

Live your own life.

Elena swallowed hard. “I want it gone.”

Luca looked at her. “The entire Crimson Accord?”

“Yes,” she breathed.

Marco leaned back in his chair. “That means dissolving every controlling interest tied to Crimson Holdings.”

“I don’t care,” she said.

“It’s more complicated than signing a piece of paper,” Marco said.

“I said I don’t care.” Dante squeezed her hand, and Elena glanced at him. She saw no judgment or warning in his eyes—just support. That still surprised her, and maybe it always would.

Luca moved around the desk. “If we dismantle the structure, Hale loses his automatic claim if something happens to you.”

“Good,” she said.

“But the assets have to go somewhere,” Luca said.

Elena’s mouth tightened. “I don’t want them.”

“That doesn’t make them disappear,” Luca said.

She looked at Marco. “What happens if I transfer everything?”

“To whom?” he asked.

“I don’t know,” she admitted.

Marco thought for a moment. “Depends on what you want to do.”

“I want no one to own me because of money my father and three other families tied to my name before I was old enough to speak,” she said.