He Let Me Bleed So I Let Him Go Chapter 31
A muscle worked in Dante’s jaw.
“That’s okay,” he said, his voice rough. “You don’t have to love me. It’s enough that I love you.”
Elena actually laughed, a short, bitter sound.
“You love me?”
“You love me, so you left me to bleed out in an emergency room. You love me, so you gave another woman the power to decide if my voice ever reached you. You love me, so you never believed a single word I said.”
“Dante, how am I supposed to believe that in five years of marriage, you ever loved me at all?”
Dante didn’t have an answer.
He didn’t order his men forward. He didn’t use his authority to try to force his way closer.
His voice was hoarse with desperation.
“I can’t explain what I did. You can treat me however you want now.”
“I just want one chance. One chance to make it right, piece by piece.”
“Come back with me. I’ll give you control of all communications. I’ll go before the committee and publicly admit I failed in my duty to protect you. The De Luca family, the title of Don, my life—if you want them, they’re yours.”
“Even if you hate me, I’ll keep trying until you’re willing to believe me again.”
“You don’t get that chance.”
Luca’s voice came from behind Elena.
He stepped out of the apartment and came to a natural stop at her side, his arm resting lightly around her waist.
Dante’s pupils contracted.
Luca lifted Elena’s left hand and brushed a fingertip over the ring on her finger.
It was a simple platinum band set with a single sapphire.
It was not an engagement ring.
It was the token the Bellandi family gave to a protected guest, proof that Elena’s residence and work in Los Angeles were not to be interfered with by her former Family. It bound her to no bloodline, no registry of loyalty. She could take it off whenever she wanted.
“A few days ago, Elena agreed to let me pursue her,” Luca said, his voice smooth as silk.
He looked at Dante, a slow smile spreading across his face.
“When she finally accepts me, I’ll buy you a drink.”
Dante’s face turned ashen.
His hands clenched into fists, and fresh blood began to seep through the bandages at his waist.
“Elena, you’re just doing this to get back at me, aren’t you?”
“You know what kind of man Luca Bellandi is. He’s using you to get to the De Luca family.”