Chapter 8 - The Reclaimed Princess
The chaotic, violent energy was entirely dragged out of the grand Beverly Hills estate.
When Dante walked into the secure guest house, the suffocating tension of the last six years completely vanished.
Clara was sitting on a plush velvet sofa, holding Sophie tightly. The little girl had finally gotten her missing pink sneaker back from Bruno the dog, and she was happily strapping it onto her foot, completely unfazed by the opulent wealth surrounding them.
Dante stopped in the doorway, staring at the beautiful, chaotic scene.
Clara looked up. She saw the absolute, unbroken truth in his dark eyes. He wasn't the monster she thought he was. He was a fiercely loyal protector who had just burned his own empire to the ground to keep them safe.
"Is it done?" Clara asked softly, her voice shaking slightly.
"He's gone. The loyalists have secured the estate," Dante replied smoothly, completely lowering his intimidating guard. He walked slowly over to the sofa and dropped to his knees right in front of her, just like he had done on the driveway.
He didn't care about his expensive suit. He gently reached out, his hand softly cupping Clara's cheek.
"I am so sorry you had to run," Dante whispered, his deep voice thick with profound, overwhelming emotion. "I will spend the rest of my life proving to you that you never have to be scared again."
Clara leaned into his strong, calloused hand, tears of pure, overwhelming relief finally streaming down her face. She had spent six years looking over her shoulder, terrified of the shadows, but tonight, she realized the biggest, most dangerous shadow in the city belonged to her.
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"She missed you," Clara choked out softly, looking down at the little girl playing with her shoe. "She always asked why she didn't have a dad."
👉 Dante turned his attention to his brave little girl, ready to make the most important promise of his life.
