Her heart pounding at his admission. She wasn’t sure what she had expected Dante to say, but this raw honesty caught her off guard. She glanced down at her hands, unsure how to respond.
“Dante…,” she began, her voice soft. “I didn’t expect any of this either. I never imagined… feeling this way about someone like you.”
He smirked slightly at her words, his usual confidence returning. “Someone like me? And what exactly does that mean?”
She bit her lip, a bit embarrassed. “You know, someone who… who’s so intense. You’re… you’re different from anyone I’ve ever met.”
He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing in that familiar, piercing way. “I hope that’s not a bad thing,” he murmured, his tone laced with a playful challenge.
She shook her head, unable to look away from him. “No, it’s not bad at all.”
For a moment, they were silent, just watching each other. Dante’s gaze dropped to her lips, and Isla felt a shiver run down her spine. She knew what was coming, and as much as it scared her, a part of her wanted it too.
Slowly, Dante reached out, his fingers brushing her cheek before sliding to the back of her neck. “Isla,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t think I can hold back anymore.”
She felt herself lean into his touch, her breath catching. “Then don’t,” she whispered back, her voice trembling slightly.
That was all the encouragement he needed. Closing the distance between them, Dante’s lips captured hers in a slow, deep kiss. It wasn’t rushed or forceful; it was a steady exploration, as if he were savoring every second. Isla’s hands found their way to his shoulders, her fingers curling into his shirt as she let herself get lost in the warmth of his embrace.
After what felt like an eternity, they broke apart, both of them breathing heavily. Dante rested his forehead against hers, his eyes closed as he seemed to gather himself.
“I don’t usually let anyone in like this,” he admitted, his voice rough with emotion. “But you… you make it impossible not to.”
Isla reached up, running her fingers through his hair in a gentle, soothing motion. “I understand. I’m scared too, Dante. But I want to try. I want to see where this goes.”
He smiled, a genuine, unguarded smile that made her heart flip. “Then we’ll take it one day at a time,” he promised, brushing a soft kiss to her forehead.
They spent the rest of the evening together, talking, laughing, and enjoying each other’s company. Every now and then, Dante would pull her close, his hand possessively wrapped around her waist, as if to remind her-and himself-that she was his.
Later, as Isla lay in bed, thinking over the events of the night, she couldn’t help but feel a mixture of excitement and trepidation. Whatever lay ahead, she knew it wouldn’t be easy. But with Dante by her side, she felt ready to face whatever challenges came their way.
Just as she was drifting off to sleep, a knock at her door startled her awake. She sat up, her heart racing as Dante entered, his expression serious.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, concern lacing her voice.
Dante took a deep breath, his gaze hardening. “We need to talk. There’s something I haven’t told you.”
Her stomach tightened with unease, but she nodded, bracing herself for whatever revelation was coming.
With an intense look in his eyes, Dante sat beside her on the bed, his hand reaching out to take hers. “Isla, there are things about my world you don’t know yet. Dangerous things. And if you’re going to be with me… you’ll have to be prepared.”
She swallowed, feeling a mixture of fear and determination. “I’m ready, Dante. Whatever it is, I’ll face it with you.”
He held a time when you’ll have to make a choice. A choice between staying safe or being by my side, no matter the risk.” His voice was low, almost a whisper, yet filled with a gravity that made Isla’s pulse race.
Isla squeezed his hand, feeling the weight of his words but also the strength behind them. She knew that Dante had lived a life shadowed by secrets and darkness, but she was prepared to face whatever that meant. He wasn’t just some fleeting figure; he had come to mean so much more than that.
“Dante,” she murmured, lifting her gaze to meet his intense stare. “I chose this-chose you-knowing it wouldn’t be easy. I’m not going anywhere.”
His expression softened, and a flicker of relief passed through his eyes. Without another word, he leaned in, pressing his lips to her forehead, and the gentle gesture somehow felt more profound than any words could convey. When he pulled back, the vulnerability in his eyes was gone, replaced by the steely determination she’d come to recognize as his armor.
“Good,” he said, his voice strong again. “Because there’s a lot you need to know, and there’s no turning back once you do.”
Isla nodded, fully prepared for whatever he was about to reveal. But before Dante could continue, there was a sharp, urgent knock at the door. He shot Isla a quick, almost apologetic glance before rising to answer it.
“Sir,” one of Dante’s men spoke, his face pale and tense. “We have a… situation.”
Dante’s entire demeanor shifted in an instant. Gone was the warmth in his eyes, replaced by a fierce alertness that made Isla shiver. “What happened?” he demanded.
The man hesitated, casting a quick, uneasy look in Isla’s direction. “It might be best discussed in private, sir.”
Isla felt a pang of frustration at being left out, but Dante shot her a reassuring look. “Wait here. I won’t be long,” he murmured before disappearing into the hallway with the man.
As the door clicked shut behind him, Isla sat back on the bed, her mind spinning. She’d felt so close to understanding him, to seeing behind the curtain of mystery he kept around him, but just as she’d begun to glimpse his world, it seemed to slip out of reach again.
After what felt like an eternity, Dante returned, his face a mask of tension.
“Is everything alright?” she asked, her voice soft.
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “There’s… been an incident. Nothing you need to worry about,” he said, but Isla could sense the underlying strain in his tone.
She wasn’t convinced, but she respected his need for secrecy, knowing that this part of Dante’s life might always be hidden from her. Still, she couldn’t help the pang of worry that gripped her heart.
“I wish you’d let me help,” she whispered.
Dante’s expression softened, and he crossed the room in a few swift strides, pulling her into his arms. “You are helping, Isla,” he murmured into her hair. “Just by being here. You have no idea what that means to me.”
She hugged him tightly, feeling the tension melt away from his body, even if just for a moment. He pulled back, gazing down at her with an intensity that made her breath hitch.
“I need you to trust me, even when I can’t tell you everything,” he said, his voice a mixture of pleading and command.
Isla nodded, brushing a hand along his jaw. “I trust you, Dante.”
The relief in his eyes was brief, but unmistakable. He leaned down, pressing his lips to hers in a kiss that was slow and unhurried, as if savoring each second they had together. And in that moment, all her worries seemed to vanish.
When he finally pulled away, a small, genuine smile curved his lips. “Get some sleep,” he whispered, his voice soft yet laced with the unspoken promise of more.
She nodded, reluctantly letting him go. As he turned to leave, she lay back on the bed, her mind racing with a thousand questions but her heart oddly at peace.