CAMILLA’S POV.
Dante’s message still swam in my head the following morning, as I was feeding Jasper.
The mere thought of seeing Dante again tied my stomach up in knots.
And as I sat there with Jasper’s small fists wrapped around my fingers as he suckled, I couldn’t help but turn my mind to what this might mean for us, what he was going to say.
I laid Jasper down to nap, my mind already running.
Dante wanted to meet me at a café across town.
I knew what it was going to be about and I’d prepared myself as much as I could, but even as I locked the door behind me my chest was tightening into a nervous vice.
I was late.
I rounded the bend, and there Dante was, already seated at a window table, commanding attention when he wasn’t even trying.
Casually attired in a black leather jacket, his angular jawline tensed as he checked his phone for the time.
He looked no different than he ever had, except that I felt like I was seeing something new tonight: a gravity in his eyes.
At least I hadn’t been sure it had been Jasper or what he’d found.
“You’re late,” Dante growled as he stood when I reached the table, his voice all low graveled.
He was beautiful as always, yet in his tone, there wasn’t any greeting.
“I had to make sure Jasper was taken care of before I left,” I replied, my defense against his irritation tried to bite back.
The mentioning of Jasper’s name had softened his features near instant, and for most of it, I’d like to have believed there was a shadow of regret in his eyes.
I sat down across from him, feeling the tension set between us.
That’s why I wanted to talk to you, Camilla, ” he said, hunching forward, setting his elbows on the table.
Large eyes locked into mine, a dare against refusing to be held by them.
“I got the DNA test results back. He’s mine.”
I know you’re still probably wondering why I didn’t tell you sooner, I said softly-my tone even yet laced with an edge of guilt.
I was scared, Dante.
I didn’t know how you’d react, and I wasn’t sure whether you ever wanted to be part of this.
Dante’s jaw clenched, his eyes flashing bright with anger, and something deeper.
I had a right to know, Camilla.
“I know that now,” I said, staring him dead in the eyes.
“But the most important thing is, you know it now. Instead of acting like a teenage couple and pointing fingers, what we really need to do is sort out what happens next.”
Dante’s eyes flickered, irately at my wording.
I didn’t care.
I wasn’t going to be guilt-tripped into anything.
Not now.
Not after what I had endured. Follow the newest chapters on g.com.
“Acting like teenagers?” he repeated, the tone of his voice dangerously low.
“I’m the one that has been kept in the dark about my own son for years, Camilla.”
“I know, and I’m sorry,” I snapped back.
For several long moments, Dante said nothing.
His eyes didn’t release mine, the tempest churning behind his gaze.
There was so much left unsaid between us.
Finally, he exhaled slowly, leaning back in his chair.
“Fine,” he growled low.
“Let’s focus on what comes next. I’ve been thinking.”
And I did nothing but wait for him to continue.
“We should get married,” he said out of the blue, words exploding like a bombshell between us.
I blinked my eyes, my mind whirling to clutch at exactly what it was he’d just said.
“Married?”
“Yes,” he said implacably.
“A contract marriage. We will be doing it for Jasper’s sake. My father has been on my neck to produce an heir, and you.”
“And I need protection,” I finished for him, knowing already where his mind was going.
His eyes leaped wide, his face lighting.
“Why exactly do you need protection? What’s going on?”
“It’s a long story, and you wouldn’t understand,” I growled, gesturing the question away.
I wasn’t ready yet to go into all the reasons I was running from my father, from Tom, from everything.
“The point is, a marriage between us could work. You get your heir, and I get to keep Jasper safe.”
For a long stretched minute, Dante didn’t say another word; his eyes not leaving mine, scared bare with his emotion, told me that he wasn’t exactly glad I couldn’t cut to the chase.
“Camilla, if I’m going to be part of this, of Jasper’s life, I need to know what you’re running from. What’s really going on?”
My shoulders knotted again, my urge to run fleeing to my belly.
Dante wasn’t like Tom, he wouldn’t guilt trip me, but that didn’t mean he’d understand.
He couldn’t know everything.
Not yet.
“It’s complicated,” I said softly.
“Just know that my father’s world is dangerous for me. And I need to get out of it.”
Dante’s eyes hardened and he nodded-a slow, silent acquiescence.
“Okay.
But if we do this,” he said in that low commanding tone, “I need you to be square with me from here on out. Read this novel at g.com for the best experience.
No more secrets.
Got it?”
I hesitated a second then nodded.
“Got it.”.
But some of the strain had dissipated from between us now, replaced by silent agreement.
“When will we do it?” I asked, cutting to the chase.
“As soon as possible,” he said implacably.
“I’ll start the arrangements.”
“I need to be away from my father’s house,” I returned far too quickly then, and abruptly with intoxicating urgency lacing my voice.
“Soon.”
For the second time that day, Dante’s eyebrows drew together, his eyes further darkening.
“Why the hurry? What is it you run from, Camilla?”
I had said, softer this time, “I said it’s complicated. But trust me, it stopped being a safe place to hang in. Neither for me nor Jasper.”
He did take the time to appraise that; his jaw tightened as it weighed against something fitting the situation.
The curiosity still lingered there; I could see it.
However, he asked nothing more.
“I’ll get you out,” he said after what felt like an eternity.
“We’ll figure it out.”
I exhaled, everything weighing again hard on me.
He still did not know so much, so many secrets still locked inside, but for now, this would have to suffice.
“Thank you,” I whispered, low and barely audible.
Dante nodded once, his eyes never leaving mine.
“I’ll make the arrangements and contact you about the details. Whatever happens, we will be sure Jasper’s safe.”
A weird sense of relief washed over me because for once I wasn’t alone.
Dante might not truly get everything I was going through, but at least he stood by me, for Jasper, if nothing else.
I stood to go, turning back to him.
The weight of what we’d discussed still hung thick between us.
“I’ll be waiting,” I whispered, the meaning behind it so much more than what I’d let on.
Dante’s eyes hung a beat while nodding.
“I won’t disappoint you.”