The morning sun streamed through the windows as I made my way downstairs. The mansion felt different in daylight - less intimidating, more like a home.
"Good morning, bella."
I froze at the bottom of the stairs. Dante sat in the breakfast nook, reading a newspaper. He'd shed his usual suit for dark jeans and a black sweater that did nothing to hide his muscled frame.
"You're staring," he said without looking up, a smile playing at his lips.
"I'm not used to seeing you so... casual."
"Get used to it." He folded the paper, finally meeting my eyes. "I'm taking the day off."
"The great Dante Romano takes days off?"
"For you? I'd move mountains." His intense gaze made my cheeks heat up. "Join me for breakfast?"
Maria appeared with coffee and pastries before I could answer. The spread looked like it belonged in a five-star hotel.
"About last night," I started, taking a seat across from him. "Valentina told me-"
"I know what she told you." He sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "My sister means well, but she can be..."
"Terrifying?"
His laugh was unexpected and beautiful. "That's one word for it."
"Was she telling the truth? About the day Marcus proposed?"
The humor vanished from his face. "Yes."
"Tell me."
"Sienna-"
"Please. I need to know."
He stared into his coffee for a long moment. "I had it all planned. Was going to ask you to meet me at the library - your favorite place. Had a first edition of Pride and Prejudice wrapped in my car."
My heart clenched. He'd remembered my favorite book.
"But then I saw you in the park with him. The ring, the champagne, the way you smiled..." His knuckles went white around his coffee cup. "I burned that book that night."
"Dante, I-"
"Don't apologize." His eyes met mine. "You didn't know. Couldn't have known. I was a coward who never told you how I felt."
"And now?"
"Now?" He reached across the table, his fingers brushing mine. "Now I'm done being a coward."
The touch sent electricity through my arm. "What do you want from me?"
"Everything." His voice dropped lower. "But I'll settle for a chance."
"A chance at what?"
"At showing you what real love looks like." His thumb traced circles on my palm. "Not the twisted version Harrison gave you. Not the teenage crush I never acted on. Something real."
"I'm broken," I whispered.
"No." His grip tightened. "You're bent, not broken. And I'll spend every day helping you stand tall again."
"Even with all my baggage? My scars?"
"Especially with those." He stood, moving around the table to kneel beside my chair. "Every scar, every fear, every nightmare - I want it all. Because they're part of you."
Tears stung my eyes. "Why?"
"Because I've loved you since I was seventeen." His hand cupped my cheek. "And I'll love you until I'm dead."
A throat cleared behind us. Maria stood in the doorway, looking apologetic.
"Mr. Romano? Mr. Harrison is at the gate. He's demanding to see his wife."
Dante's expression darkened. "Tell security-"
"No." I caught his arm. "Let me face him."
"Sienna-"
"I need this." I met his concerned gaze. "I need to stand up to him. Just... stay with me?"
His eyes softened. "Always, bella. Always."
As security let Marcus's car through the gates, I felt Dante's presence behind me like a shield. For the first time in years, I wasn't afraid.
I was ready to face my demon.
Marcus's Mercedes screeched to a halt in front of the mansion. He stepped out looking disheveled - a far cry from his usually immaculate appearance.
"Sienna!" He spread his arms wide, that familiar fake smile in place. "Baby, I've been so worried."
"Don't." My voice came out stronger than I expected. "Don't pretend you care."
"Of course I care! You're my wife." He took a step forward, then froze as Dante moved closer to me. "I've come to take you home."
"This is her home now." Dante's voice was deceptively calm.
Marcus's facade cracked. "She's MY wife! My property!"
"There's that word again." I felt Dante tense behind me. "Property."
"Sienna, baby," Marcus tried a different approach, his voice softening. "I know I've made mistakes. I've been under so much stress. But I'll change. We can start fresh."
"Like the last time you promised to change?" I touched my ribs, still bruised from his last 'lesson.' "Or the time before that?"
"That was different-"
"No." I cut him off. "The only difference is that I'm not afraid anymore."
His expression darkened. "Because you've got your new attack dog?" He sneered at Dante. "How long before he gets bored and throws you away like the worthless piece of-"
Dante moved so fast I barely saw it. One moment he was behind me, the next he had Marcus by the throat.
"Choose your next words carefully," Dante growled. "They might be your last."
"Dante." I touched his arm. "He's not worth it."
Marcus's eyes bulged as Dante released him. He stumbled back, coughing.
"You want a divorce?" He spat. "Fine. But I'll take everything. The house, the cars, every penny-"
"Keep it." I smiled, feeling truly free for the first time in years. "I don't want anything that reminds me of you."
"You ungrateful bitch! After everything I've done for you-"
"You mean like sleeping with Vivian since before our wedding?" I stepped closer, watching him flinch. "Or maybe you mean the broken ribs? The constant humiliation? The-"
"Enough!" He lunged forward, hand raised.
But this time, I didn't cower. This time, I stood my ground.
His hand never reached me. Dante caught his wrist, twisting until Marcus dropped to his knees.
"Touch her," Dante's voice was ice, "and they'll never find your body."
"You can't threaten me!" Marcus wheezed. "I'll go to the police-"
"About what?" I asked sweetly. "The debt you owe? The tax fraud? Or maybe the money you've been embezzling from your company?"
His face went white. "How did you-"
"I kept records." My smile widened. "Of everything. Every bruise, every affair, every illegal transaction. So go ahead - try to take everything. See what happens."
"You're bluffing."
"Want to bet your freedom on that?"
Marcus looked between us, realization dawning in his eyes. He'd lost. Completely.
"This isn't over," he snarled, backing toward his car.
"Actually," Dante called after him, "it is. The divorce papers will arrive tomorrow. Sign them, or those records might find their way to some very interested parties."
We watched his car disappear through the gates. My legs trembled as the adrenaline wore off.
"That," Dante turned me to face him, "was incredible."
"I was terrified."
"Couldn't tell." His thumb brushed my cheek. "You were magnificent."
"I couldn't have done it without you."
"Yes, you could have." His eyes softened. "You're stronger than you know, bella."
Before I could respond, he pulled me into his arms. I melted against his chest, breathing in his scent - cologne, leather, and something uniquely him.
"Thank you," I whispered against his shirt.
"For what?"
"For letting me fight my own battle. For being there without taking over."
His lips brushed my forehead. "I'll always be here. Whether you need a shield or just someone to watch you shine."
In that moment, with his arms around me and Marcus's threats fading into memory, I felt hope.
And maybe, just maybe, the beginnings of love.
