An hour later, she had no more answers. She kept going around and around, treading water until it felt like she might drown. Rose closed her eyes. She owed him a conversation, at least. Even if it was only to say goodbye.
Chapter 23
Dante was almost asleep when his phone rang. He picked it up and stared a long moment at the familiar number on the screen. Rose. There was no good reason for her to be calling now, and a whole list of bad ones. He finally answered. “Si?”
“My father knows.”
He closed his eyes and lay back on the bed. She wasn’t the easiest to read in person and over the phone her blank tone could mean anything and nothing. “Are you calling to cut things off, amata?”
“I should.” Her voice wavered a little. “It’s beyond selfish to continue to pursue things with you. My family will be the ones to pay the cost.”
Dante rubbed his temple, thinking fast. Dmitri would have laid out irrefutable facts and he would have struck right to the heart of his daughter’s fears. “Tell me what he said.”
She drew in shuddering breath. “We need all the allies we can get. Choosing you means alienating Romeo, which will put my sister in direct danger. It also means alienating Kirill, which could lead to him allowing Jovan’s people a foothold in the states. We can’t afford to be divided right now. Jovan will slaughter us if we are.”
“Matteo will take care of Kirill.”
“You can’t know that.”
He stared to argue, but the truth was that she didn’t know his cousin. She only had his word things would be resolved. His word should be good enough, but with the stakes so high, he couldn’t blame her for the doubt. There was only one way to alleviate it. “I’ll return to LA and deal with Kirill.”
“Dante.”
He muscled down his irritation at the sharp way she said his name. “I’m not going to kill him, Rosa. He’s a pain in the ass and he’s committed plenty of acts against my people, but I will pursue a peaceful arrangement. For you.”
She gave a sad little laugh. “Kirill hates the Verduccis. You can’t—”
“Rose.” He sat up. “Don’t tell me what I can and cannot do. I’ll burn this entire fucking world to the ground, Kirill, Romeo, and Jovan with it, if it means being with you. There are no lengths I won’t go to, and that includes making peace with that old bastard. Do you understand me?”
“Just like that.”
“Si, just like that.” She wanted him to find a way. She wouldn’t be calling like this if she didn’t. “Give me time.”
She was silent for a very long time, but Dante would wait for days if that was what it took. He hadn’t come this far to be deterred by a few road bumps, no matter how extreme Rose found them. Finally, she said, “Is there anything that would make you turn away from me, Dante?”
“No.”
“Such a quick answer.”
He shrugged even though she couldn’t see it. “There’s nothing to consider. You’re mine. I’m yours. No one else will do, amata. I’ve told you that from the beginning.”
She inhaled slowly. “Yeah, I guess you have.” Rustling on her end. When she spoke, her voice sounded firmer, more resolute. “Go back to LA and secure peace with Kirill and your family. I’ll deal with Romeo.”
A shot of pure adrenaline bolted through him. “No.”
“Da. We don’t have time for you to deal with both, and frankly, I have a better chance of bringing Romeo around to seeing things our way than you do.”
How? What lengths will you go to?
He didn’t ask. If she was willing to trust him in this, he could only do the same. Still… “If he lays one finger on you, I’ll take a page out of your book and skin him alive.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Her voice warmed and he could almost see her smile. “Stay safe, d’yavol.”
“You too, amata. I’ll see you in a few days.” He paused. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” She hung up before he fully registered that she’d returned the words.
Dante played them back in his head several times. Close. They were so close to the future he wanted. He wouldn’t allow anything to get in his way. He dialed his cousin.
“Si.” For once, Matteo sounded cold and serious.
“Change of plans. I’m coming back. We need Kirill.”
“I’ll set up a meeting.”
Dante paused. That had been easy. Too easy. “What about Lorenzo?”
“My father is no longer in the picture.”
Thank fuck. Another sentiment he kept internal. Matteo’s relationship with his father was none of Dante’s fucking business, but he imagined it must have been difficult to kill the old man. “Condolences.”
Matteo snorted. “Don’t go getting soft on me now, Dante. I have a meeting with Kirill tomorrow morning. If you can get back by then, you can attend.”
“I’ll be there.” He was already moving as he hung up, tossing his stuff back into his suitcase. It took five minutes to book a flight and another two to schedule a ride. He met the car at the curb and started the long journey back to the West Coast.
Through it all, Dante thought about Rose and Romeo. The Capparelli wouldn’t harm her. He was reasonably sure of that. The man had already married Rose’s little sister, so he doubted he’d attempt to reverse that arrangement. But there were a thousand things that could go wrong…
He sighed. Either he trusted his woman, or he didn’t. She was more than a match for some fucking Capparelli, and he couldn’t focus properly on Kirill if he was distracted wondering what the fuck she was up to. She was trusting him to do this, was putting her faith in him, and he’d be damned before he fucked it up.
Dante barely had time to shower and change before Matteo was banging on his bedroom door. He opened to it find his cousin dressed to the nines. He’d always favored expensive clothes, but there was a different aura about him now. Dante narrowed his eyes. “Long live the king.”
Matteo’s icy expression thawed, showing a hint of concern. “You’re serious about this, aren’t you? You’re ready to be excommunicated for this woman.”
“For my woman. Si. Use that as a bargaining chip to secure Kirill’s agreement not to host the Russian Romanovs while they’re in conflict with the New York branch.”
Matteo went to drag his hand through his hair, but stopped before he made contact. “There’s no going back if you take that step. It doesn’t matter if she dumps your ass. Once you’re struck from our line, that’s it.”
“I know.”
Matteo searched his face. “You’re not going to change your mind.”
“No.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “This is the right play, and you know it. Remove your father, remove his junkyard dog. Establish your own people.”
“You are my people.”
“Si, and I always will be. But the Verducci family has done nothing for me. Losing it is no loss.” He held his cousin’s gaze. This conversation only had one destination and they both knew it. Matteo didn’t even truly want Dante back. He knew the truth, but for once he was letting his emotions override his reason. “You don’t need me anymore.”