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Beth was subdued when Dante reentered the apartment.  The bad guy left over the balcony down
my own god damn fire escape ladder. She stood, her posture weary, her expression haunted. She
pushed her glasses up her nose.  If you don t mind, I m kind of tired. I d like to get some of this mess
cleaned up and get some sleep.
He stared at her. Had she lost her damn mind?  I don t think so. He waved his hands at the
damage the Shem had inflicted.  Do you think I m leaving you alone in an apartment someone broke
into and had every intention of setting on fire?
 Dante 
He made a slashing motion as he ruthlessly cut her off.  Stai zitto! He took a deep breath and ran
his hands through his hair.  I don t know what the hell you re thinking, but you d better rethink it.
She scowled at him.  Did you just tell me to shut up?
 Yes, I did, because you were about to say something stupid like  Dante, go home, or  Dante, I m
going to sleep.  He waved as if saying goodbye.   Good night! 
Elizabeth glared at him.  Apparently someone stamped Stupid on my forehead at your Aunt s
party.
 Apparently so. When she went to stomp past him he grabbed her arm.  I m not going anywhere.
No, scratch that. We re both going somewhere. Get your coat and let s go.
 This is all a ploy to get me alone in your house, isn t it?
He actually freaking growled, his hands waving around madly.  I don t care if you invite the entire
god damn Eagles football team, you re going with me. I am not leaving you here alone, capisce? The
thought terrified him, made him want to sling her over his shoulder like a caveman and drag her back
to his lair.
She leaned forward and took both of his hands in hers.  Gee, Dante, tell me how you really feel.
He opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He stared at her holding his hands, his mind completely
blank. He tugged, trying to free himself, but she wasn t letting go.
She began to laugh. It seemed Dante was more like her Italian friends than she d thought. Get him
worked up, the hands roving all over the place, then grab hold and watch his lips seal shut.  What s
the matter? P.I. got your tongue?
Tugging fiercely, he managed to get his hands free.  Knock it off, he muttered, waving one hand.
The gesture only made her laugh harder. In an effort to stop the laughter, he did the only thing he
could think of.
Kissing her was definitely a mistake, especially with his brothers in the apartment, but he couldn t
seem to care. He took her mouth with barely restrained passion, restraint forgotten as her tongue
dueled his thrust for thrust. He couldn t remember the last time he d wanted someone this badly.
He was taking her home and putting her in his bed.  Let s go.
She shivered.  Okay.
Within moments they were out the door and on their way. He could barely drive straight, his cock
demanding he pull over and take Elizabeth right where she sat, so tempting to his senses. The fire
within him burned hotter whenever she was near, fierce and wild, ready to claim the woman who d
managed to steal his heart.
So it was an unpleasant shock to find Lillian sitting on the swing on his front porch.
The expectant smile on her face told him everything he needed to know.
Lillian had come for him.
Great.
He was grateful to Elizabeth for allowing him to open her car door. It would give Lillian something
to think about that he was bringing his date home for the evening. He smiled as he grabbed hold of
Elizabeth s hand.
Some of the eager anticipation left Lillian s expression to be replaced by shock.  Hello, Dante.
Lillian s gaze darted back and forth between the two of them, speculation and something more making
her voice waver.
Dante kept a firm grip on Elizabeth s hand, twining his fingers through hers. If Lillian thought she
had a chance in hell she was in for a rude surprise.  Hello, Lillian. What do you want?
Lillian squirmed uncomfortably. She looked flawless, just as she always had. Her brown hair was
perfectly styled, a shining wave that Dante used to love burying his hands in. Her figure was nearly
perfect, her complexion flawless. She had a way of looking at a man as if he was the only one on the
face of the earth.
Once, Dante had basked in that sensation. He d truly thought he d found the woman of his dreams.
Then he d learned that he wasn t the only man on the face of her earth. He d found himself
divorced, alone and hating the man he d thought had stolen his wife away.
It had taken him a while to realize that Lillian had gone willingly, even eagerly, with her new
lover.
Hershman may have seduced her, but she d done nothing to stop him.
Holding Elizabeth s hand, he tried to picture how she would react to someone like Hershman, and
had to stifle a grin. She d eviscerate the slimy asshole without blinking twice over it.
 Francesca called. She said you wanted to talk to me, so I came right over. Lillian s gaze darted
once again between Dante and Elizabeth. She bit her lip, another gesture that used to drive Dante wild
but now only left him feeling hollow and slightly disgusted with how easily she d once manipulated
him.
He d adored her, and she d ripped him to shreds.
 I guess she was wrong. Her sad, disappointed tone couldn t move him. Not anymore.
 I guess she was wrong too. He sighed roughly. He needed to have a long overdue chat with his
sister. It did neither Lillian nor himself any good to keep dredging up the past.  I m sorry if Francesca
keeps giving you the wrong idea. You know things will never be the same between us.
She looked up at him, tears forming, her lip trembling.  Oh, Dante, things could be just like they
were, if you d only forgive me.
Dante had seen this little play before, and steeled himself. He only hoped Elizabeth didn t buy
Lillian s poor me act.
Elizabeth s snort of disgust had Lillian blinking uncertainly. Not one of Lillian s crocodile tears
fell to mar her perfect makeup.
Dante tugged Elizabeth closer, tucking her under his arm.  There s nothing to forgive. We ve both
moved on. He made it a point to make sure Elizabeth was as close as they could get while still
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