by Laurie Roma
Dante rolled his eyes. Good God, why had he ever touched this spoiled brat? Just looking at her make his stomach roil with regret. “Do you really think that just because your daddy is on the city council that makes you better than everyone?”
“It makes me better than you.”
Dante laughed, honestly amused. “Keep thinking that.”
Jimbo appeared around the corner, coming from the front of the building with two nervous looking women. “Boss, is everything okay out here?”
Tammy sauntered over to them as soon as she saw the group and plastered a smug smirk on her face. “Let’s go. This place is so over.”
“Yeah, take your friend home, and don’t bother coming back. At least not with her,” Dante ordered them, nodding at Tammy, whose mouth dropped open in shock.
One of the women gasped, while the other said, “You’re banning us?”
“Not all of you…just her.”
“Dante, you can’t be serious!”
“Oh, but I am. You insulted my woman and my bar. I don’t take that shit from anyone, and certainly not from some bitch who’s here slumming.”
The two women hurried away, pulling a stunned Tammy with them. After they’d disappeared with Jimbo trailing after them, Dante let out a vicious curse and braced his hands on his hips.
“You keep banning people, we aren’t gonna have anyone left here to serve.”
Dante turned on Brix with a snarl on his lips, but the other man just stared at him blandly. “What the fuck was I supposed to do? Just let that woman get away with talking about Zoe like that? Fuck that.”
“Of course not. But I find it interesting that you’re more pissed off about that than the fact that woman grabbed your junk.”
“My dick tried to crawl inside my body the second Tammy touched me. But fucking hell, I know that bitch can be vicious when it comes to gossip, and if she goes after Zoe…”
“What? You can’t fight Zoe’s battles for her.”
“But it’s because of me.” The words burst out of Dante with an anger that surprised him. “I don’t want my past touching her. She deserves better than that. Hell, she deserves better than me. I know it. I’m just too selfish a bastard to let her go.”
Brix sighed. “When are you gonna claim that girl, Fox?”
There were a few beats of silence before Dante said, “When she’s ready.”
“What the hell does that mean?”
“It means that I feel like I’m chasing a ghost, Brix.”
Brix shifted uncomfortably on his feet. He didn’t do emotions—at least he didn’t talk about them easily. He could put them into his art, but discuss them? Hell, no. It made him itchy. However, seeing his friend look so defeated didn’t sit well with him, either.
Clearing his throat, he said, “Dude, you know she cares about you. Maybe…you know, she needs to hear how you feel about her or some shit before she can take the next step.”
“I’ve made it pretty fucking clear how I feel.”
Feeling like an asshole, Brix forged on. “Want is different than love.”
“Yeah, it is.” Dante tilted his head up so he was looking at the night sky. Was it even worth it to wish on a star? It hadn’t done him any good so far. “She’s got my soul, Brix. Before I give her the chance to rip the heart out of my goddamn chest, I have to know she’s willing to meet me halfway. I can’t give her everything without getting anything in return.”
“You ain’t a coward, Fox.”
Dante snorted. “Remember that when you fall in love with a woman who runs you around in circles.” Sighing again, he turned back to Brix. “Listen, can you close up without me tonight?”
“Sure. We’ve got it covered. You heading over to Fight Hard?”
“No, I think I’m gonna head home. I need a long, hot shower after that shit with Tammy.” Dante took a few steps toward the parking lot, then stopped. “When you get back to your apartment, can you text me? Just…let me know if she got home okay?”
“Will do.”
Brix reached for his pack of cigarettes as he watched his friend leave. He lit one, and a few seconds later, the roar of Dante’s Harley filled the night. He blew out a stream of smoke while he watched as the lights of the bike faded. “Hear what you needed to?”
Inside, Zoe froze mid-step.
She knew it was wrong to eavesdrop. After Tammy and the two other women had left, Zoe had started to head back to her friends, but when she’d heard the conversation between Dante and Brix, she hadn’t been able to move. She knew she had no right to listen to what Dante was telling his friend in confidence, but every word had made her heart sing.
When she’d heard Dante leave, she’d started to leave the hallway. Shock filled her that Brix had known she was there, but then again, it was almost impossible to sneak up on any of the men that worked at The Fox Hole.
I’m not a coward, either.
Repeating that to herself over and over again, Zoe stepped through the doorway and walked outside to face Noah Brixton. At first, he didn’t look at her, but when he finally turned, his blue eyes stared at her in accusation. All she could ask was, “Why?”
Not needing an explanation, Brix said, “Because you needed to hear it. Now the ball is in your court, sugar. Either put that man out of his misery, or walk away. You’re hurting him by dragging this out.”
“I—” Zoe wanted to defend herself, but she couldn’t. She was hurting Dante. She’d heard it in his voice. And she hated herself for it. So far, all she’d been focused on was protecting herself, but that was going to stop now. It was time for her to come clean with Dante.
Zoe drew in a deep breath. “I came with Francesca and Sam. Can you tell them I’ve left?”
Brix nodded, then his eyes narrowed. “How much did you have to drink?”
She smiled, even though she felt ill about what she was about to do. Despite his irritation with her, Brix still couldn’t help watching out for her. “One sip since we got here.”
Zoe headed toward the front of the building where she and Sam had found street parking. She paused when Brix said her name.
“Do you love him?”
Her first thought was that she had to tell Dante first, but Brix had done her a solid. He’d given her the push she’d needed to go to Dante, so she felt that she owed him an answer.
“More than anything.”
“Right, then. Go. Get out of here.”
The affection she felt for Brix flooded her. Since meeting him, she’d thought of him as the big brother she’d always wanted. Walking back over to him, she rose up onto her toes and pulled him down until she could press a kiss on his cheek.
“Thank you, Noah.”
She left him grumbling to himself as she walked away, and found herself laughing at the tinge of color that had flooded his face. It was incredibly sweet that such a big, strong man could be embarrassed by anything.
Zoe walked to her bike and took her time strapping her helmet on before starting it up. The sound caught the attention of a few people lingering outside the front of the bar. Jimbo raised his hand in farewell as he saw her from where he was guarding the front entrance.
She waved back, then took off…and headed toward the man she loved.
* * * *
Hair still wet from his shower, Dante stepped out of his front door wearing dark-gray sweatpants and a white t-shirt. Carrying his beer bottle over to the porch swing, he sat down. He had a thing about not drinking the hard stuff when he was at home alone. Alcohol could become an emotional crutch. Owning a bar, he’d seen the damage it could do to lives.
He might not have all his shit together, but he didn’t want that for himself.
As much as he loved the noise and excitement at the bar, he also loved sitting out on the large wraparound veranda of his house. Dante had never thought he’d be domesticated. He’d lived in an apartment in the center of town for the first few years after he’d gotten back, but after awhile, he’d needed a little dista
He’d found his place.
Now, looking around his sanctuary, he knew that something was still missing. Pushing that thought aside, he took a long pull from his bottle of beer. Thinking about that would only piss him off again…not that he could help it. The confrontation had irritated the hell out of him, but not being able to claim Zoe publically made him crazy. He couldn’t stand people insulting her, and he wanted…no, he needed everyone to know she was under his protection.
Dante hadn’t been kidding when he’d told Brix he needed a shower after Tammy had touched him. His past was his past, and he owned it. He’d never cared what other people thought of him or his actions, but he never wanted Zoe to be embarrassed by being with him.
He wanted to be a better man for her.
Self preservation made his temper spark. She should want to be with him regardless of what he’d done before he’d met her. Damn it, she shouldn’t judge him or—
Taking a calming breath, he told himself to ease back. He was pushing his own worries on her, and that wouldn’t do either of them any good. His mood still foul, he settled back to drink and brood. If he didn’t snap out of it after a few beers, he could always go for a run.
The sound of the engine reached him before he saw the headlight coming down his driveway. He frowned as he watched it draw closer, then his pulse increased when he realized who it was. Damn, it was as if he’d conjured her up just by thinking about her.
It was dark out and storm clouds were moving in, but the moon was still bright and his eyes had adjusted enough for him to see her clearly. Frowning, he looked over her attire of black jeans and matching shirt that had sleeves that came down to her elbows. It had been warm out today, but he didn’t like thinking about her driving to Houston and back without more protection on.
Kevlar, he thought. Maybe he could get a jacket made for her out of Kevlar. Mentally rolling his eyes at himself, he watched as Zoe turned off her bike and removed her helmet. He lazily pushed himself back and forth on the large porch swing as she slowly walked up the front steps.
Seeing her standing there bathed in moonlight, he wanted her with a passion that astounded him. It would have been so simple to go to her. To pull her to him and take what he wanted. She’d melt for him. He had the skills to make sure she would, but he forced himself to remain still, curious as to what brought her to him this time of night.
“Good to see you made it back from Houston in one piece.”
“We got back a little while ago.” Zoe paused, glancing away before she cleared her throat and looked back at him. “I was at the bar tonight. I heard you talking to that woman outside.”
Dante paused with the beer bottle halfway to his lips, then lifted the bottle to ease his dry throat. “So, you came out here for what? I’m not in the mood for a pity fuck. Why don’t you—”
Hands braced on her hips, Zoe glared at him. “Dante Fox, don’t you start that shit with me.”
Embarrassment warred with anger, making him feel out of control. Dante’s foot slapped down hard, stopping the porch swing from moving. Temper too close to the surface, he had to get her out of there before he said something he knew he’d regret. “I’m not in the mood for this now. You should head back to town before the storm breaks.”
“Just shut up and listen for a minute,” Zoe shouted. “I’m not going anywhere until—”
“Damn it, Zoe—”
“That’s not even my real name!”
Chapter Seven
“I know, sweetheart.”
Dante felt all his anger drain away as he watched her eyes widen in shock. Zoe had slapped her hand over her mouth as soon as she’d spoken the words, and he knew she hadn’t meant to blurt out her confession like that.
But he was damn glad she had.
Feeling calmer than he thought he would, he stood up. “I think I need another beer. Do you want something?”
“I…”
“Why don’t you sit down. I’ll be right back after I get us something to drink.” Dante didn’t give her a chance to argue. He went to her and grabbed her hand, pulling her back toward the porch swing. She didn’t fight him as he pushed on her shoulders until she sat down, then he turned and headed back into the house.
Zoe popped to her feet as soon as the screen door slammed shut, the sound startling her out of her shock. Hurrying after him through the dark house, she followed the light from the open refrigerator to the kitchen. “Wait, what do you mean you know?”
Dante turned back to look at her. “Do you want a beer or would you rather have a glass of wine? I have a bottle of that Cakebread Chardonnay that you like.”
“Dante—”
“We’ll do wine instead,” he said, pulling the bottle out of the wine fridge.
Zoe wanted to yank at her hair in frustration. “Argh! What is wrong with you?”
He set the bottle down on the island in the center of the room. Moving to a cabinet, he took down two wine glasses and fought the urge to smile. “It was the Breakers’ Bad Boys thing.”
“W-what?”
Opening a drawer, he took out a bottle opener and went to work on the cork. “When Nyght got the idea to help Shane and we formed the group, we had all the members fingerprinted to make sure anyone the organization helped would be assured that we were all safe and didn’t have records. You didn’t join.”
Zoe blinked at him. “I…I was going to.”
“But you haven’t, and I know you love what the group is doing. I know you don’t have a record. I did a background check on you when I hired you, but I knew it had to be something,” Dante informed her as he held out one of the wine glasses toward her. When he saw her hands were shaking, he decided to carry both glasses. “Come on, angel. Let’s go sit down.”
Silently, she followed him out of the room. His house was ranch style, and his kitchen had a breakfast bar that opened into the large living room area. The ceiling was high, with thick wooden beams that formed a steeple over the dark-brown leather furniture. He liked the open feel of the structure and the natural wood accents that made it seem more like a cabin than just a regular house. Dante set the glasses down on the coffee table before reaching for the lamp.
“Wait!” Zoe cried out. “Umm…this might be easier for me if we left the lights off.”
Dante didn’t want to argue with her, but he wanted to see her.
He needed to be able to look at her.
The moon had retreated behind the storm clouds now, and thunder rumbled darkly in the distance, like an angry beast waiting to be set free. It was too warm to light a fire in the stone fireplace, so he pulled out some matches and lit the candle on the center of the coffee table and the three that were on the fireplace mantel instead.
The flames flickered to life, giving off just enough light so he could see her. Zoe had been the one to talk him into putting candles out after she’d come over to his house and complained about his lack of decoration. The sultry scent of vanilla drifted into the air. Vanilla and spice.
The scent was the same as Zoe’s skin, and it drove him crazy.
“Is that okay?” Dante asked softly, wanting to put her at ease.
“It’s fine.” She picked up the wine glass and drank deeply.
He glanced out the window as another round of thunder rolled ominously. Holding out his hand he said, “Give me your key. I’ll put your bike in the garage. It’s gonna start raining soon. Sit down. I’ll be right back.”
Hesitantly, Zoe handed her key over to him, as if she were giving away her lifeline. Using the time away from her to center himself, Dante took care of her bike, storing it in the garage right as the first raindrops fell. He’d been trying to act calm, but his mind was reeling and his muscles were tense. He needed to remain composed, to let her tell her story without reacting. It felt like he’d been waiting for this moment for forever, and he wouldn’t fuck it up by pushing her.
When he came back into the house, he saw that she’d drained her wine glass. He went into the kitchen and grabbed the bottle, bringing it back with him. Forcing himself to relax, he refilled her glass as he sat down next to her on one of the couches. Leaning back against one of the decorative pillows she’d talked him into getting, he said, “Okay, honey. Tell me.”
“I…I don’t know where to begin.” She gave a little laugh. “This is so not going the way I planned it.”
That made him smile. “You expected me to be angry?”
“Well, yes. I guess I did.”
“Let’s save that for whether or not I think you had a good reason for lying to me.”
“I didn’t mean to lie. Okay, I did,” she amended. “But I didn’t want to. Not after I got to know you. Dante, you have to know that. This has been difficult for me. Oh, God…”
“Why don’t we start with you telling me who you really are.”
He would wait her out. He was good at that, damn him. It was time. She couldn’t stall any longer. “My real name is Angelica Tao.”
Dante’s breath caught. “I know that name.”
“I am…or I was a classical violinist.”
“Fuck.” He stilled. “You’re famous.”
A small smile graced her lips. “Not really. In some circles I was. I used to travel a lot, and performed all over the world, but it’s been years.”
Dante shook his head. “I have four of your CDs. Jesus, Zoe.”
Her smiled wobbled a bit. “I was making a fifth when I had to leave…”
“Your covers never had your picture on it, but I’ve seen photos online.” Studying her, he saw it now. “Your hair was much shorter.”
Zoe reached up and smoothed a hand over her long hair. During her years of playing, she’d always had a sleek little bob with short bangs. “They made me keep it short when I was younger. Said it was more professional for when I was playing. I guess that’s why I grew it out.”
“I like it long.”
“I do, too. I was a child prodigy,” she began, making herself say the words. She’d grown up as the only child of a cellist with the New York Philharmonic and a wealthy businessman. Her mother had been good, but her talent was nothing compared to Zoe’s capabilities. They’d discovered that she was exceptionally gifted at a young age. She’d been able to play just by mimicking what she’d seen, and her mother rejoiced at having a musical genius for a daughter.
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