The Bodyguard

chapter 19

I woke the next morning to sunlight spilling across the room. For a few seconds, I forgot where I was. Then everything came rushing back.

I sat up slowly. My wrists still hurt where the ropes had been. I looked toward the door. Two men were standing outside.nGuards.

So much for getting out. I got dressed and walked downstairs. The house was strangely quiet. I followed the sound of voices until I reached the dining room. The man from last night was sitting at the head of the table.

“Good morning.” He looked up when I entered.

“Is it?” I stopped.

“You're not a morning person?” His mouth twitched.

“I'm not a kidnapping person.” I replied..

He actually laughed. I walked to the opposite side of the table and sat down. A plate of food was already waiting for me. I looked at it. Then at him.

“You're really committed to feeding me.” I said.

“You need to eat.” He states.

“Why?” I ask.

“Because you're going to need your strength.” He said.

I didn't like the way he said that.

“For what?” I question him.

“We're going to talk.” He replied..

“We already talked.” I stated.

“Not enough.” He retorts.

“You know everything about me, don't you?” I picked up my fork but didn't eat.

“I know enough.” He said.

“Then you know I don't like being told what to do.” I replied.

“I've noticed.” He remarks.

“You're enjoying this.” I narrowed my eyes.

“A little.” He smirks..

“What's your name?” I shook my head.

He paused. For some reason, the question seemed to catch him off guard.

“Dante.” He leaned back in his chair. I waited. He smiled slightly. “Dante Aldo.” The name hit me like a punch. Aldo.

“You're the head.” I stared at him.

“Yes.” The man sitting across from me wasn't just some Mafia soldier. He was the man at the top. The person everyone else answered to. The person whose organization had killed Caden. Dante watched my reaction carefully. “You've heard of me.” He replied.

“Everyone has.” I said softly.

“I'm guessing Caden did too.” He said knowingly.

“Don't talk about him.” My fingers tightened around the fork.

Dante's expression became serious. “He was trying to get close to my organization.” He stated as if I should know. My heart pounded. “We knew someone was trying to scam us.” He continues.

“But you didn't know it was Caden?” I ask.

“We knew eventually.” He said.

“Then why didn't you stop him before that night?” I stared at him.

“Because Caden made a mistake.” Dante's eyes hardened.

“What mistake?” My stomach twisted.

“He trusted that he could get close enough to us without being noticed.” He said.

I looked away. Caden had always been confident. Sometimes too confident, but he'd kept me out of most of it.

“He didn't tell me anything,” I whispered.

“I know.” Dante studied me.

“How?” I looked back at him.

“Because if he had told you everything, you wouldn't have been standing outside that building.” He said.

My throat tightened. He was right. Caden had told me to wait.

“I'm not going to pretend Caden was innocent.” Dante leaned forward. “He came after my organization.” He said.

“I know.” I replied softly.

“But you weren't part of the plan.” He stated.

I froze.

“You were his partner, but that night, you were a witness.” Dante's eyes remained on mine.

I couldn't breathe for a second. He knew. He knew exactly what happened.

“You've been looking for me because I saw your men kill him.” I said.

“Yes.” He replied.

The answer was simple. No excuses. No pretending.

“Then why am I still alive?” I swallowed hard.

Dante was quiet for a moment. Then his eyes settled on me again.

“That's something I'm still deciding.” He said.

I hated the way my heart jumped. Because somehow, sitting across from the man who should have been my greatest enemy. I felt like there was something else behind his eyes. Something I didn't understand yet. I wasn't sure if that was supposed to make me feel better.

“So what happens now?” I pushed my plate away.

“Now I ask you some questions.” Dante looked at me from across the table.

“And if I don't answer?” I challenged him.

“I'll ask again.” His expression didn't change.

“That sounds terrifying.” I raised an eyebrow. I looked down at my hands. “What do you want to know?”

“Everything about Caden's plan.” Dante leaned back.

“I don't know everything.” I said.

“I believe you.” He said.

“You do?” That surprised me.

“Yes.” He replied.

“Why?” I ask.

“Because Caden was protective of you.” My chest tightened. Dante continued. “He didn't tell you what he was planning because he didn't want you involved.” He finished.

“That sounds like him.” I swallowed.

“What did he tell you?” He asked me.

“That we were going to make some money.” I replied.

“That's it?” Dante's eyebrow lifted. He almost smiled.

“You don't seem very angry.” I looked at him “why are you so calm?” I question him.

“Because anger doesn't make me careless.” There was something unsettling about the way he said it.

“You're younger than I expected.” I studied him.

He stared at me. I immediately regretted saying it.

“What?” He smirked.

“I just expected the head of the Aldo Mafia to be older.” I replied..

“And what did you expect?” He asked.

“Someone with gray hair.” I said.

A laugh escaped him. I tried not to smile.

“You're strange.” He shook his head.

“So I've been told.” I mumble.

For a few seconds, neither of us spoke. Then Dante's expression changed.

“What did Caden say before he went inside?” He asked.

“He told me to wait and he said he'd be right back.” My smile disappeared.

“Did he seem nervous?” Dante watched me carefully.

“No.” I thought about it.

“Did he tell you what was inside the building?” He probed.

“No.” I replied.

Dante nodded slowly. Then he asked the question I didn't want to answer. “What did you see?” He asked.

I looked down. “Caden.” My voice cracked. “I saw him on the floor.” Dante didn't interrupt. “I heard the gunshots. I looked through the door. He was already down.” I closed my eyes. “I saw your men.” I stopped.

“And then?” Dante's jaw tightened.

“They saw me and I ran.” My voice became barely a whisper. Dante was silent. I opened my eyes. “I didn't leave him because I wanted to. I ran because they were coming after me.” I finished.

“I have one more question.” Dante stood.

“What?” I asked.

“Why did you stay with Caden for so long?” He walked around the table.

“What do you mean?” I frowned.

“You could have walked away from that life.” He said like he knew all about me.

“Because he was my family.” I looked down at my hands. Dante stopped. I looked up at him. “Caden was the first person who ever gave me somewhere to belong.” I said.

Something flickered across Dante's face. He looked away for a moment.

“That's enough for today.” He nodded.

“That's it?” I blinked.

“For now.” He started walking toward the door.

“Wait.” I called after him. He turned. “Why are you being nice to me?” I asked..

“I don't think I'm being nice.” Dante stared at me.

“You are.” I replied.

“Maybe I'm just curious.” A faint smile appeared.

“About what?” I question him.

“You.” His eyes held mine. Then he walked out. I sat there staring after him. I should have been thinking about escaping. I should have been thinking about Alexander.

A week had passed since I was brought to Dante's estate. Seven days. Seven days since my entire life had fallen apart and somehow, I had gotten used to the routine.

I still couldn't leave. There were guards everywhere, and I knew Dante's people were watching me, but I wasn't locked in a room anymore. I could walk through the house, spend time outside, and I even had access to the library.

It was strange. I was still a prisoner, but Dante wasn't treating me like one.

I walked into the kitchen that morning and found one of the women who worked there setting a cup of coffee on the counter.

“Black,” she said. “No sugar.”

“How did you know?” I stopped.

“Dante told me.” She smiled.

My stomach did something strange. I ignored it.

“Thanks.” I took the coffee and walked outside.

The estate was enormous. I'd spent the last week exploring parts of it, although I was careful never to get too close to the gates. I sat on the steps and took a sip of coffee.

For a few minutes, everything was quiet. Then I heard footsteps behind me. I didn't have to turn around.

“Do you always sneak up on people?” I asked.

“I wasn't sneaking.” Dante walked around and sat beside me.

“You're a Mafia boss. You probably sneak professionally.” I mumble.

“You've been watching too many movies.” He laughed.

“I've been kidnapped by the Mafia. I feel like I have some research experience.” I retorted.

“Fair point.” He looked at me.

I smiled despite myself. Then I remembered who he was. My smile faded.

“You're thinking about him.” Dante noticed.

“Alexander.” I knew exactly who he meant.

“I didn't say his name.” He nodded.

“You didn't have to.” I looked down at my coffee. “I wonder if he's looking for me.” I sigh.

“He is.” He responds.

“How do you know?” My head snapped toward him.

“Because if he cares about you, he'll look.” He replied.

“He does.” My heart tightened.

Dante was quiet. Then he asked, “Do you love him?”

I wasn't expecting the question. I stared at him. “Yes.” The word came easily and honestly.

Dante looked away. For the first time, I saw something cross his face that I couldn't quite identify. Jealousy? Maybe. But it disappeared almost immediately.

He stood. “Come on.” He gestures for me to follow.

“Where?” I asked.

“I want to show you something.” He replied. I followed him across the yard. We walked toward a large building I'd noticed several times but never entered. Dante opened the door. Inside were rows of old cars.

“You have a garage?” My mouth fell open.

“Of course.” He looked amused.

“This is beautiful." I walked toward one of the cars.

“You like cars?” He asks.

“I like expensive things I can't afford.” I snort.

“That explains a lot.” He laughed.

“Are you insulting me?” I looked at him.

“Not at all.” He walked past me. “You're a con artist. I'd expect you to appreciate good taste.” He says. I smiled. Then I stopped.

“Wait.” I said. “You know what I used to do.” I said..

“I told you. I know a lot about you.” He turned.

“Then you know I was good at it.” I looked around the garage.

“I've heard.” Dante's smile slowly appeared.

“Want to see how good?” I asked.

“What are you suggesting?” His eyebrow lifted.

“Give me a challenge.” I walked toward one of the cars.

Dante stared at me. Then he smiled. “Careful, Hannah.” He said.

“Why?” I asked.

“You might impress me.” His eyes met mine.

“That would be the first interesting thing that's happened all week.” I smiled back.

Dante laughed and as we walked deeper into the garage, I realized something.

For the first time since I'd been brought here. I wasn't thinking about escaping. I was having fun.