Page 56 of Bound By A Promise
In the hours following that meeting my whole world changed.
Our whole world.
The disappointment at my father’s decision and his unwillingness to listen sent me reeling. It wasn’t until I saw Dante and knew he’d come across the country to fight for me that I regained my footing. If he could fight for me—for us, so could I.
Dante’s and my marriage was the throwing of a stone into a lake. The ripples would flow in every direction, having repercussions beyond the two of us.
A quick look up at the man holding my hand was all the reassurance I needed to know I’d made my own decision. Dante was the man I wanted, and by the warmth of his body next to mine, he wanted me too.
Neither of us said a word as we ascended the staircase, leaving those below behind who knew exactly what was about to happen. My brother even mandated it. Nothing made sense and yet everything was as it should be.
Dante opened the door to the primary suite, and we walked inside.
I took in the room, the closed French doors leading to a balcony overlooking the pool and ocean. There was a comfortable area with a loveseat, chair, and small table. The main focus of the room, situated near the balcony doors, was the large king-sized bed.
“Do you think it’s a little weird to be in Jano and Mia’s bedroom?”
Dante scoffed. “Traditions. Aléjandro and Mia were in your parents’ bedroom.”
I scrunched my nose. “Okay. I’d rather be here than in my parents’ bedroom. That would be…” I couldn’t come up with the best word. If instead of words, I could have used emojis, it would be the one with the face vomiting.
Dante closed the door, turning the lock in the doorknob.
“You think that will keep them out?”
“My gun will keep them out. As surprising as it is, everyone downstairs is on our side. We are where they want us.”
I made my way to the balcony doors. With my hands on the handles, I asked, “Is it safe to open these?”
Dante came behind me, the warmth of his front covered my back. He placed his hand over mine and turned the handle. Immediately, the sound of the surf below filled our ears. There wasn’t any furniture out on the balcony. A quick look below andwe saw Viviana picking up pieces of the furniture that remained in tatters on the pool deck.
As we stepped out onto the cool concrete balcony, strands of my hair blew around my face. “Do you think there used to be chairs out here?”
“Before they were shot all to hell?” Dante said. “I would guess.” He reached for my hand. “Is there any way I can make you forget, if only for a while, about what happened with the helicopter?”
Taking a deep breath, I lifted my chin to catch his gaze. “I don’t know,” I replied honestly. “I know I’d like for you to try.”
Dante ran his hands down both of my arms, a ghost of a touch that sent shock waves through my nervous system. His head tilted, fire burning in his gaze as he secured a strand of long hair behind my ear. “If I haven’t told you, you’re gorgeous, Camila. When you appeared out of the darkness in this white dress, I couldn’t believe that you were willingly coming to me, to marry me, and to be my wife. You looked too heavenly to be real.”
I lifted my hand to his cheek, feeling the coarseness of his day’s beard growth. “I think I fell in love with you during my first visit to Kansas City. Do you remember helping me see Emerald Club? Catalina was against it, and Dario was…”
“Dario.”
“Yes,” I said with a grin. “You thought I was older than I was.”
“Because,” he said, backing me against the wall to the side of the balcony, “I was attracted to you the first time I saw you—the night before Dario’s wedding. Then I found out you were too young, too sweet, and too innocent for me.”
“Too bad.”
Dante’s lips quirked. “You’re not bad.”
Keeping my chin raised, I found myself lost in his dark stare. “No, I’m sayingtoo bad. If you think I’m wrong for you, it’s toolate. We’re married. It’s official, according to Father Gallo, in the eyes of the Lord and in the eyes of California.” I wiggled my ring finger. “I’m a married woman.”
“There’s a stigma in my world, our world. I probably learned it from my father. Love makes you weak. Success is all about power.” His Adam’s apple bobbed. “I’ve seen that isn’t accurate with Dario and Catalina. I can’t say I loved you the first time I saw you. I can say I lusted after you.” Pressing his hips toward mine, I felt the pressure of his confined erection. “I thought I loved you when I proposed, but when Dario informed me that you were no longer to be mine, I felt that love deep into my bones. It’s fierce and strong, Camila. I love you. I will spend forever hoping you feel that because you’re now mine.”
As I reeled from his declaration, Dante pressed his strong lips together and tilted his handsome face. Slowly he trailed the pad of his finger down my cheek, my neck, and my collarbone. His touch was like the striking of a match, methodically setting my flesh ablaze. His dark stare intensely followed his finger as it lowered down my chest and to the apex of the sundress’s neckline. After lingering long enough to make my nipples harden, Dante’s gaze came back to mine. “And now it’s time to make you forget.”
His deep baritone warning sent shivers down my spine and left goose bumps in their wake. I could ask what he wanted me to forget, but I was done talking. I’d made my decision.