BOUND TO THE BOSS

Chapter 7: The Safe Room

The next morning, Elena woke in Dante's arms.

She had fallen asleep on the couch in his study. He had not moved her. Had not left her side.

His chest rose and fell beneath her cheek. His hand was on her back. His breathing was slow. Peaceful.

She watched him sleep. His face was softer in sleep. Younger. Less like a monster. More like a man.

She reached up. Touched his cheek.

His eyes opened. Gray. Intense.

"You're watching me sleep," he said.

"You're worth watching."

He pulled her closer. Kissed her forehead.

"We need to talk about what happened."

"We kissed. You told me not to fall in love with you. I said it was too late."

Dante sat up. Rubbed his face.

"I'm not good for you, Elena."

"I'll be the judge of that."

"You don't understand. The people I love die. My father. My mother left because she couldn't handle it. Everyone who gets close to me ends up hurt."

"Then I'll be the exception."

Dante looked at her. His eyes were pained.

"You can't promise that."

"I can promise to try."

---

Rosa brought breakfast. She looked at them sitting together on the couch. Her eyes widened. She said nothing.

Dante stood. "We'll eat in the kitchen today."

The kitchen was large. Warm. The staff looked surprised to see him there.

"Everyone out," Dante said.

The staff left. Elena sat at the table.

"You didn't have to clear the room."

"I don't like people watching me eat."

"You don't like people watching you at all."

He sat across from her. "I don't like people seeing me. There's a difference."

Elena ate her eggs. Drank her coffee.

"What happens now? With the Rossi family?"

"They'll regroup. Plan. Attack again. I need to be ready."

"Then let me help."

"You're not a fighter."

"I'm not useless either."

Dante set down his fork. "What can you do?"

"I can read people. I can spot lies. I can keep you grounded."

"Grounded?"

"You're angry all the time. It makes you reckless. I can help you think clearly."

Dante stared at her. "You think you can calm me down?"

"I think I can try."

He reached across the table. Took her hand.

"You really aren't afraid of me."

"I told you. I'm terrified. But I'm more afraid of losing you."

---

After breakfast, Dante showed her the safe room.

It was hidden behind a bookshelf in the library. A fingerprint scanner. A steel door.

"This is where you go if the house is attacked," he said. "Food. Water. Weapons. Enough for a week."

"You want me to hide while you fight?"

"I want you to live."

"I want the same for you."

Dante's jaw tightened. "I'm not going to die, Elena. I have too much to live for now."

"And what's that?"

He looked at her. Did not answer. But his eyes said everything.

---

They spent the afternoon in the study.

Dante made calls. Talked to his men. Planned.

Elena took notes. Organized his schedule. Stayed quiet.

But she watched him. The way he spoke. The way he listened. The way his eyes scanned every face, looking for lies.

He trusted no one. Except her.

"You're staring again," he said without looking up.

"You're interesting to watch."

"Most people find me terrifying."

"I'm not most people."

He set down his phone. "No. You're not."

---

In the evening, they walked through the garden.

The sun was setting. The sky was orange and pink.

"My mother loved gardens," Dante said. "She planted roses everywhere. After she left, I kept them. I don't know why."

"Because you miss her."

"I don't miss her. I miss who she was before my father died."

Elena took his hand. "You can miss someone and still be angry at them."

Dante stopped walking. Looked at her.

"How do you know so much about pain?"

"Because I've been in pain my whole life. My mother died when I was young. My father turned to gambling to cope. He lost everything. Almost lost me."

"But you stayed."

"He's all I have. Until now."

"Now you have me."

Elena's heart swelled. "Do I?"

Dante pulled her close. "Yes. For better or worse. Whether you like it or not."

She smiled. "I like it."

---

They sat on a bench. Watched the stars appear.

"The Rossi family won't stop," Dante said. "They'll keep coming. Keep testing. Eventually, they'll bring an army."

"Then we'll need an army too."

"I have allies. But allies can be bought. Turned."

"Then we need people who can't be bought."

"Like who?"

Elena thought. "People who owe you. People who have nothing to lose. People like me."

Dante looked at her. "You're not fighting."

"I'm not hiding either."

"You're impossible."

"You've said that before."

He kissed her. Soft. Slow.

"I don't deserve you."

"Probably not. But you have me anyway."

He pulled her close. Held her tight.

The stars were bright. The night was quiet.

But somewhere in the shadows, the enemy was watching.

And they would not wait forever.