BOUND TO THE BOSS

Chapter 6: The Threat

The next morning, Elena woke to the sound of shouting.

She sat up in bed, heart pounding. The voices were coming from downstairs. Angry. Loud.

She threw on a robe and opened her door.

Rosa was in the hallway, her face pale.

"What's happening?" Elena asked.

"The Rossi family. They're here. They want revenge for their cousin."

Elena's blood went cold. Rossi. The man Dante had killed.

"How did they get past the gates?"

"They didn't. Mr. Vitale let them in."

"Let them in? Why?"

Rosa grabbed her arm. "Stay in your room. No matter what you hear, do not come out."

Rosa hurried downstairs. Elena stood in the hallway, torn between fear and something else. Curiosity. Worry.

She closed her door. Pressed her ear against it.

---

The shouting continued. Then a gunshot.

Elena's heart stopped.

She opened the door. Ran down the hallway. Down the stairs.

Rosa was standing at the bottom, blocking her path.

"I told you to stay upstairs."

"Someone was shot."

"No one was shot. Mr. Vitale fired a warning shot. To scare them."

Elena tried to see past her. "Let me through."

"No."

"Rosa, please."

Rosa's eyes softened. "He will be angry if you interfere. Trust me. Stay here."

Elena waited. The shouting died down. Footsteps faded. Doors closed.

Then silence.

---

Dante appeared at the bottom of the stairs.

His shirt was untucked. His hair was messy. There was blood on his knuckles.

Not his.

"Elena. Go back to your room."

"You're hurt."

"It's not my blood."

"Whose is it?"

Dante climbed the stairs. Stopped in front of her. His gray eyes were dark.

"I told you to stay in your room."

"I heard a gunshot. I was worried."

"About me?"

"About everyone."

He touched her face. His hand was warm. The blood on his knuckles was drying.

"The Rossi family wanted to take you. They thought you were my weakness."

Elena's breath caught. "What did you tell them?"

"That you're no one. Just staff. That I don't care what happens to you."

The words hurt. Even though she knew he was lying to protect her.

"They didn't believe me," he continued. "So I had to convince them."

"How?"

Dante's jaw tightened. "I broke a man's arm. Shot a hole in the floor. Told them the next bullet would be in someone's head."

"They'll come back."

"Yes. And when they do, I'll be ready."

---

He led her to his study. Poured himself a drink. Did not offer her one.

"Pack your things," he said.

"What?"

"You're leaving. Tonight. I'm sending you to a safe house. You'll be protected there."

"I'm not leaving." Elena stood her ground. "I made a deal. One year. I'm staying."

"That was before your life was in danger."

"My life has always been in danger. That's not new."

Dante slammed his glass on the desk. "You don't understand. They will use you to get to me. They will hurt you. Torture you. Kill you."

"Then I'll take that risk."

"No."

"You don't get to decide for me."

He walked to her. Stood inches away. His presence was overwhelming.

"I am responsible for you. If something happens to you, I won't forgive myself."

"Then protect me. Don't send me away."

Dante stared at her. His chest rose and fell with heavy breaths.

"You're impossible."

"So I've been told."

---

He ran a hand through his hair. Walked to the window. Stared out at the garden.

"The safe house is in the countryside. A farm. Quiet. Hidden. You would be safe there."

"I would be alone there."

"Yes."

"I've been alone my whole life. I don't want to be alone anymore."

He turned. Looked at her.

"What do you want, Elena?"

She walked to him. Stood close. Close enough to feel the heat of his body.

"I want to stay. I want to help. I want to be useful."

"You're useful here."

"Then let me stay."

Dante reached out. Touched her cheek. His thumb brushed her lower lip.

"If you stay, you follow my rules. No arguments. No heroics. You do what I say."

"Fine."

"And you don't leave this house without me."

"Fine."

"And you don't talk to strangers."

"Fine. Anything else?"

Dante leaned closer. His lips were inches from hers.

"Yes. Don't fall in love with me."

Elena's heart pounded.

"Too late," she whispered.

He kissed her.

Hard. Desperate. Hungry.

Elena kissed him back.

The world fell away. There was only him. His hands in her hair. His body against hers.

He pulled back. Breathing hard.

"You're going to be the death of me."

"Probably."

He laughed. Low. Warm.

"Stay."

"I wasn't going to leave."

Dante took her hand. Led her to the couch. They sat together. His arm around her.

"The Rossi family won't stop," he said. "They'll keep coming. Keep testing."

"Then we'll stop them together."

"We?"

"I'm not just your assistant anymore, Dante. You kissed me. That changes things."

He looked at her. His gray eyes were soft.

"Yes," he said. "It does."

They sat in silence, holding each other.

The danger was not over. The threat was still there.

But for the first time, Elena felt like she was exactly where she belonged.

In the arms of the devil.