Under his protection

Chapter 5

Aria

The longer I stayed trapped in that room, the more restless I became. The walls felt like they were inching closer every second. I needed air. I needed space. I needed a plan.

I paced until my legs ached, replaying every word the Don had said, every rule Adriano had mentioned. Nothing added up. Protect me from what? Why me? The questions clawed at my mind until I could barely sit still.

By the time dinner rolled around, I was exhausted from doing nothing. When the clock finally struck seven, I slipped out of my room and headed toward the dining area, following the path I remembered from the tour.

He was already there.

The Don sat at the head of the table, posture rigid, sleeves rolled just enough to reveal strong forearms. The food was laid out, untouched, and the table was set for two.

I hesitated at the entrance.

“Are you planning on standing there all night, Miss Russo,” he said without looking up, “or are you going to sit.”

His voice startled me despite myself. I walked closer and took the seat beside him, my movements careful. Only then did I notice it properly.

Two plates. Two glasses.

“Is it just going to be the two of us?” I asked.

He finally glanced at me, one brow lifting slightly. “Why. Were you expecting company?”

I rolled my eyes. For a brief second, I could have sworn he smiled but it was gone before I could confirm

“Everyone else is busy,” he spoke calmly. “So yes. Just the two of us.”

My pulse picked up. Alone. This could be my chance.

“Eat, Aria,” he said.

I frowned slightly. “You seem to know my name pretty well, yet I know nothing about you. What do I even call you?”

At first, I thought he would ignore my question. As he took his time chewing his food, but with his jaw tightening slightly, he finally spoke.

“Dante,” he said.

Before I could respond, his phone rang. He answered it immediately and stepped out onto the balcony, a door I only just noticed. Adriano had conveniently left it out during the tour.

Dante spoke in low tones, so I was unable to hear the words but I caught the tension in his posture.

I began to eat, forcing myself to finish every bite. If I was going to run, I needed the strength.

He returned moments later, the same unreadable expression sliding back into place as he resumed his meal. He didn’t lock the balcony door.

The rest of dinner went by silently. I took time to really look at him, trying to figure him out but I just couldn’t. If he noticed, he didn’t say anything. He did look genuinely tired in a way sleep alone could not fix. Shadows beneath his eyes, and the weight he carried was obvious in the tightness of his shoulders.

For a brief moment, I wanted to ask him what was wrong and to ease whatever burden sat so heavily on him.

When I was done eating, Dante gathered both plates and walked into the kitchen.

I did not think or I did not hesitate.

I slipped through the balcony door and took off into the night. Everything in me said I was making a mistake but I wouldn’t look back. I lost my sandals almost immediately, it was definitely not built for running but that didn't stop me.

I felt branches scratch my legs, arms and whole body but I pushed through. If this was my only chance to escape, I wasn’t giving up so easily. Adrenaline drowned out the pain from my feet and I just kept running.

I refused to be a prisoner.

The land seemed endless, but I kept searching desperately for a sign, a road… anything

Then I heard it.

“Aria.”

His voice sharp and and angry

I pushed harder, panic almost taking over, and then I saw it.

A road. Freedom.

I took one step too fast and fell hard

Before I could scramble up, he was there

“Where do you think you’re going?”

His voice was low and furious. He stood over me, winded but not nearly as out of breath as I was.

“That was incredibly stupid, cara mia,” he continued. “Did you honestly think you could escape me.”

He reached to pull me up, but I yanked back.

“Let me go,” I snapped. “You cannot keep me here.”

“I can do whatever the hell I want,” he said sharply as he hauled me to my feet.

I winced, and he noticed immediately.

“f**k,” he muttered.

I followed his gaze and saw blood running down my leg. That was when the pain finally hit.

Without another word, he lifted me into his arms as if I weighed nothing and started walking back toward the house.

I felt deflated but the anger in him was unmistakable, and something in me knew better than to push him further or protest

We got into the house and he still didn’t place me down. He carried me straight to the third floor, past my room, and into another door at the far end of the hall. The room was larger, darker, unmistakably his.

He took me into the bathroom and set me gently on the counter. I looked terrible. My hair was a mess, twigs still sticking out of it, dirt mixed with blood streaked my skin.

He grabbed a first aid kit and dropped to one knee as he prepared to clean my wound.

“This will sting,” he warned quietly.

His touch was careful, soft , and it caught me completely off guard. I didn’t think he could be this gentle considering he looked like he could murder me a few minutes ago.

After he was done, he put the kit away and turned back to me, bracing his hands on either side of my body, caging me in, his presence overwhelming.

His jaw tightened, looking like he was struggling between calm and mad. “You cannot run like that,” he said. “I cannot protect you if you keep doing reckless things.” His voice was surprisingly calm and that pissed me off

“I do not even know what I need protection from,” I snapped. “Because from where I stand, you are the only person I should be afraid of.”

He didn’t react immediately, only studying me for a long moment.

“Since you have been here,” he asked quietly, “has anyone hurt you.”

I hesitated, then shook my head.

“Do you feel threatened.”

“No.”

“Then why do you think I intend to hurt you, Aria.”

I opened my mouth to answer.

The explosion cut me off.

The entire house shook with lights flickering as the sound tore through the air.