BOUND TO THE BOSS

Chapter 9: The Shadows

The next week was a blur of training and tension.

Every morning, Elena woke before dawn. Every morning, she met Dante in the basement. He taught her to punch. To kick. To block. To fall and get back up.

Her body ached constantly. But she was getting stronger.

"You're improving," Dante said one afternoon.

"You're a good teacher."

"I'm a brutal teacher. There's a difference."

Elena wiped sweat from her forehead. "Brutal works."

He handed her a water bottle. "Today, we learn to shoot."

---

The shooting range was in a separate building behind the mansion.

Concrete walls. Soundproof. Shelves lined with guns of every size.

Dante picked up a small pistol. Held it out to her.

"This is a Glock 19. Lightweight. Easy to handle. Good for beginners."

Elena took it. It was heavier than she expected.

"Feels strange."

"You'll get used to it."

He showed her how to stand. How to hold the gun. How to aim.

"Keep your arms straight but not locked. Breath out halfway. Squeeze the trigger. Don't pull."

Elena aimed at the target. A paper silhouette at the end of the range.

She squeezed.

The gun kicked. The noise was deafening.

She hit the target. Not the center. But close.

"Not bad," Dante said.

"I was aiming for the head."

"Then aim lower. The chest is a bigger target. Easier to hit."

She fired again. Hit the chest.

"Good."

She fired again. Again. Again.

Her arms burned. Her ears rang. But she did not stop.

Dante watched her. His expression was unreadable.

"You're a natural."

"I'm angry. There's a difference."

"Why are you angry?"

Elena set down the gun. "Because I'm tired of being afraid. Tired of waiting for someone to save me."

"So you're saving yourself."

"Yes."

He stepped closer. "You don't have to do it alone."

"I know. That's why you're here."

---

They trained for another hour.

By the end, Elena could hit the center of the target consistently.

Dante seemed impressed. "You learn fast."

"I told you. I'm motivated."

They walked back to the mansion. The sun was setting. The garden was quiet.

"The Rossi family has gone quiet," Dante said. "Too quiet."

"They're planning something."

"Yes. I need to go to a meeting tomorrow. A neutral location. To discuss terms."

"That sounds like a trap."

"It probably is. But I have no choice. If I don't go, I look weak."

"Then let me come with you."

"Absolutely not."

"Dante—"

"If something happens to you, I won't forgive myself. End of discussion."

Elena wanted to argue. But his face was set. There was no changing his mind.

"Then promise me something."

"What?"

"Promise me you'll come back."

He took her hands. Kissed her knuckles.

"I promise."

---

That night, Elena could not sleep.

She lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, thinking about the meeting. About the danger. About Dante.

She got up. Walked to his room.

The door was slightly open. She knocked.

"Come in."

He was sitting on the edge of his bed. His shirt was off. His chest was covered in scars. Old wounds. New bruises.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

"I couldn't sleep."

"Neither could I."

She walked to him. Sat beside him.

"What if it is a trap? What if they hurt you?"

"Then you take over. You lead. You survive."

"I don't want to lead. I want you."

Dante pulled her close. "I'm not going to die, Elena. I have too much to live for."

"And what's that?"

He looked at her. His gray eyes were soft.

"You."

---

She kissed him.

Not soft. Not gentle. Desperate. Hungry.

He kissed her back. His hands in her hair. Her hands on his chest.

"Elena."

"Dante."

"We shouldn't."

"I don't care."

He pulled back. Looked at her.

"If we do this, there's no going back. You'll be mine. Completely."

"I've been yours since the day I walked into your house."

He kissed her again.

---

The rest of the night was a blur of heat and skin and whispered names.

Elena had never felt anything like it. The way he touched her. The way he looked at her. The way he said her name.

Afterward, they lay in the dark. His arm was wrapped around her.

"I meant what I said," he whispered.

"What?"

"You're mine. And I'll kill anyone who tries to take you from me."

Elena smiled. "That's very romantic."

"It's the truth."

She kissed his chest. "Then come back tomorrow. So you can protect me."

"I will."

He held her tighter.

Somewhere in the shadows, the enemy was watching.

But in this room, there was only love.

And for Elena, that was enough.