My heart beat frantically as I hurried out of the Santa Fe. I threw a last glance over my shoulder through the wide windows of the restaurant where Aria and Dante were sitting. What was he going to do to her? Dante despised hurting women, and he’d known Aria all her life. I couldn’t imagine him causing her harm. I had to trust in that.
Enzo was waiting for me behind the steering wheel of his car and I slipped into the backseat, cradling my belly.
He started the engine at once and drove off. He’d told Dante about Aria. He hadn’t asked me about it. This showed me once more that ultimately I had only very few people to rely on who wouldn’t report to Dante. Not that I had any intention to keep more from him. Maybe Aria’s appearance would already drive a wedge between us.
I closed my eyes, feeling exhausted and tired. My eyes shot open. “We need to pick up Anna from Bibi.”
Enzo shook his head. “Taft already did.”
I bit my lip, hoping Bibi wasn’t in trouble because of me.
Anna stormed my way when I entered the mansion, beaming. Bless her and her childish joy. “Mommy! Look at my painting!”
I stroked Anna’s head and took the piece of paper she held out to me. With my huge bump, I couldn’t lift her into my arms anymore, even if I wanted to do it.
It was a drawing of flowers and four stick figures.
“That’s us! And Leonas!”
“It’s beautiful.”
“Can we draw together?”
I glanced at the clock. It was already past Anna’s bedtime, but I was glad for the distraction. Nodding, I allowed Anna to lead me into the living room.
I kept checking my phone for messages from Dante but only Bibi asked how I was. The later it got, the more worried I was. What was Dante doing to Aria?
PART TWO
Dante
I walked into the Santa Fe, spotting Val and Aria. My disappointment and anger toward Val were something I couldn’t focus on now.
Aria spotted me as I walked toward them, shock reflecting on her face. She looked at Val who frantically shook her head.
“I didn’t tell him anything, Aria. I would never—”
I stopped beside their booth. “She didn’t,” I said coldly. I’d discuss this with Val later. After her secrecy about Frank and Antonio at the beginning of our marriage, I’d hoped we’d reached a new level of trust, one that allowed Val to tell me everything, especially crucial information like the presence of Aria in my city. Maybe she didn’t understand how serious this war was.
I met Val’s worried gaze. “But in a time like this, I won’t let you go anywhere without my knowledge.”
“You tracked me,” she said, staring down at her mobile lying flat on the table.
“That, yes, and Enzo recognized a familiar face this morning during your brunch with Bibiana but he wasn’t sure, and when he sent me a photo of Aria and I told him to grab her, she had already disappeared.”
I slid into Aria’s booth, forcing her to make room for me with my body. She sucked in a sharp breath.
Val glanced between Aria and me anxiously. “Dante,” she began. She was going to try and placate me, but this was no longer her business. I’d deal with her later.
“Go outside. Two of my men are waiting for you. They will take you home.”
“Dante,” she tried again, pleading with me.
“Valentina,” I growled. I hadn’t taken that tone with her in a very long time, and certainly didn’t like taking it with her in her pregnant state but she’d betrayed me and that would have to be addressed later.
Cradling her belly, Valentina rose. She searched my eyes but I didn’t allow her to read me.
“Thank you, Val, for coming here,” Aria whispered.
Val walked past me and out of the restaurant.
I turned to Aria. Her fear shone brightly in her eyes. She’d never been good at hiding her emotions, especially to someone who was used to reading others. Even on her wedding day, her terror had been clear as day. Now her fear was directed at me. “I will call the waiter over now and pay for dinner. We will get up together, you will stay at my side, and we will go to my car and you will get in.”
Aria nodded. She was more complacent than Gianna, but I was still wary of her submittal. After I’d paid, I grabbed Aria’s coat and helped her into it. I touched her shoulders, my body close to hers. It was a too intimate gesture. One I usually would have avoided because it was disrespectful toward Aria but it was necessary. My eyes sought the outside of the restaurant but I couldn’t see the photographer from my vantage point.
I leaned even closer, bringing my mouth close to her ear. “Don’t try to run or do anything stupid, Aria. I’d hate having to hurt you.”
Aria trembled in my hold and nodded again. I led her to my car, holding her hand tightly, and finally noticed the photographer hidden behind two buildings. The lens was directed toward us.
Aria got into the car and I slipped behind the steering wheel.
“I assume you are alone,” I said as I steered us away from the restaurant. I wasn’t in a hurry. The photographer needed to catch up with us.
“I am.”
It’s what I’d suspected. Aria wasn’t the type to risk her sisters’ lives like she did her own, and none of Luca’s men, much less Luca, would have supported her in this foolish endeavor.
“You shouldn’t have come to Chicago.” The photographer was three cars behind us. Aria was quiet beside me. I wasn’t surprised she didn’t ask about her father. There was only bad blood between them.
I pulled off the main road and parked near train tracks. For the following photos, this was the more likely place. If our affair were true, a more deserted place would be a good choice to engage in more entertaining activities.
Rocco’s advice was one I couldn’t follow. For one, I considered it cheating even if it was just for show, and second my stance on sexual violence against women hadn’t changed. I wouldn’t violate Aria even if it would lead to better photos and consequentially a stronger reaction from Luca. As jealous as he was, even less explicit photos would make him draw the wrong conclusions and cause the wanted damage.
Aria looked down to the bag in the legroom between her feet. The contemplative expression told me there was something inside she debated using against me. Before she could force me to hurt her in self-defense, I reached for the bag.
Aria flinched, her head colliding hard with the window. “No!”
I searched her face and the horror in her eyes told me all I needed to know. She thought I was coming on to her, would force myself on her in this deserted place to break her and Luca. And while that would certainly crush Luca like Rocco had predicted, which was why mass-rapes were such a common practice in wars of the past and even sometimes today, the mere idea disgusted me deeply. I grasped the bag like I’d intended to do and returned to my side.
Aria released a shuddering breath, not moving away from her position pressed against the window.
“Aria, you are Luca’s wife; a war won’t change that. And even if you weren’t his wife, you wouldn’t have to fear that from me, or from anyone else in Chicago. I swear it.”
“Thank you, Dante.” She finally sat up, but the tension remained in her body.