The morning after Isla’s fever had subsided, the house was finally settling back into a peaceful routine. Dante had barely slept the night before, keeping an eye on Isla as she rested while also ensuring that Amara and Leo were comfortable.
Now, with Isla feeling a little better, she sat on the couch with Leo curled up beside her, his tiny hands playing with her fingers. Amara sat on the carpet nearby, flipping through a book, her expression calm but observant.
Dante was standing in the kitchen, making Isla a warm cup of tea. He wasn’t a man who spent much time cooking, but for her, he would do anything. As he carefully stirred the honey into her tea, his phone vibrated on the counter.
Glancing at the screen, his entire demeanor shifted. The name flashing across the display made his jaw clench.
Lorenzo Moretti.
A name that carried weight in the business world, a name Dante hadn’t seen on his screen in years. His biggest rival. His oldest enemy.
Something cold settled in his chest as he picked up the call.
“What do you want?” Dante’s voice was sharp, his grip tightening on the phone.
A deep chuckle came from the other end. “Dante, is that how you greet an old friend?”
“We were never friends.”
“True,” Lorenzo admitted, his voice smooth, almost amused. “But I figured I’d check in. After all, it’s been a while since we last had a proper conversation.”
Dante walked to the far end of the kitchen, lowering his voice. “Get to the point.”
There was a brief pause before Lorenzo finally spoke again. “I hear your family is doing well. Isla… Amara… and your little boy, Leo.”
Dante froze. His heart stopped for a fraction of a second before rage replaced the shock.
“What the hell are you getting at, Moretti?” Dante’s voice was deadly now, filled with warning.
Lorenzo’s tone was light, almost playful. “Relax, Dante. I’m just keeping myself informed. It’s always good to know how a business rival is doing. After all, family is everything, isn’t it?”
Dante’s knuckles turned white as he gripped the phone harder. The way Lorenzo mentioned Isla and the kids sent alarms ringing in his head. This wasn’t just a call. It was a warning. A threat.
“If you even think about going near my family-”
Lorenzo laughed, cutting him off. “Oh, come on. I wouldn’t dream of it. I just wanted to remind you that in this world, no one is untouchable. Not even you.”
Dante didn’t answer. His breathing was controlled, but his entire body was taut with anger.
Lorenzo’s voice lowered to a chilling whisper. “See you soon, Dante.”
The call ended, leaving nothing but silence in its wake.
Dante stood there, the phone still pressed to his ear, his mind racing. He was a man who had dealt with threats before-rivals, competitors, enemies from the past. But this was different.
This was personal.
His hands clenched into fists as he turned back toward the living room. Isla was still sitting on the couch, oblivious to the storm brewing inside him. Leo was giggling at something, and Amara was lost in her book.
Dante forced himself to take a deep breath before walking over to them. Isla noticed his stiff posture immediately. Her brows furrowed as she looked up at him.
“Dante? What’s wrong?”
He hesitated for a moment, debating whether to tell her or not. But one look at her concerned eyes, and he knew he couldn’t keep this from her.
Taking a seat beside her, he reached for her hand. “I got a call.”
“From who?” she asked, her grip tightening around his.
“Lorenzo Moretti.”
Isla stiffened, her face paling slightly. She knew that name all too well. She had heard enough about Dante’s past dealings with the man to know that nothing good could come from his sudden reappearance.
“What did he say?” she asked cautiously.
Dante exhaled sharply, rubbing his thumb over her knuckles. “He mentioned you. And the kids.”
Isla’s breath hitched. Her free hand instinctively reached for Leo, holding him closer. “What? Why?”
Dante’s jaw tightened. “He’s trying to send a message. A warning.”
Amara, who had been listening silently, put her book down and looked between them. “Dad… is this serious?”
Dante met his daughter’s eyes, seeing the worry in them. She was old enough now to understand that her father’s world wasn’t just about boardrooms and business meetings-it had dangers too.
“It’s nothing we can’t handle,” he assured her.
But Isla wasn’t convinced. “Dante, we have to do something. We can’t just ignore this.”
“I won’t ignore it,” he promised. “I’ll handle it. But I need you to trust me.”
Isla swallowed hard, nodding slowly. She did trust him. But the fear in her heart was real. Someone like Lorenzo Moretti didn’t just make empty threats.
Dante pulled her into his arms, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “I won’t let anything happen to you or the kids. I swear.”
Leo, sensing the tension, looked up at his father with big, innocent eyes. “Daddy?”
Dante smiled down at him, ruffling his curls. “Everything’s okay, buddy.”
But deep inside, he knew things were far from okay.
This wasn’t over. Lorenzo had made a mistake by bringing Isla and the kids into this. And Dante would make damn sure that mistake cost him everything.