Dante's Angel

by Laurie Roma

  Jin Tao hadn’t protested when Zoe informed him of their plans to get married in a few days, although Dante could tell Jin Tao still didn’t approve of him.

  He didn’t give a fuck as long as her father didn’t try and get between them.

  On Friday evening, they were invited to the house that Zoe’s father was staying at. The rental was one of the nicest beach houses in the area, close to where their friend Hammer lived. When Dante and Zoe walked into the house, they’d were shocked at what greeted them.

  The living room had been cleared of all furniture. The dark wooden floors were left bare, except for a thick white runner that ran the length of the room. The room had been decorated with tiny fairy lights wrapped around two columns that had been placed at the far end of the room in front of the large fireplace. Thick candles that had yet to be lit sat in holders of various heights that lined both sides of the space.

  “What is all this?” Zoe asked as she looked around.

  Her father looked slightly uncomfortable. “Since you were planning on getting married in a few days, I pulled some strings and got your license expedited. I know you were going to the courthouse since you said you didn’t want to have a big wedding, but I…I would like to be able to offer you this space for your ceremony this evening. I had your mother’s dress shipped here. I wasn’t sure if you would like to wear it, but—”

  Zoe stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him. “Thank you, Father.”

  Jin Tao stood stiffly for a moment, then his eyes closed and his arms came around her. “It would be my great honor to be part of your important day.”

  Dante and Zoe were separated into different bedrooms to get ready. Jin Tao seemed to have an army working for him, and when one of the assistants brought a brand new suit to Dante, he found that it fit him perfectly. He dressed with care, noting that the tie that came with the black suit was a bright red color.

  Emotions hit Dante when he saw Malcolm and Jessup standing in the living room when he got back downstairs. He was told that Ellie, GT and Sarah were upstairs helping Zoe get ready. The candles were lit and the men stood near the fireplace as a priest came into the room. Soft music began to play over the stereo system. Sarah walked into the room, dropping red rose petals along the cloth runner. Her job done, the little girl smiled at the men, then waited patiently for her mother and grandmother to join them at the front of the room.

  Dante’s breath caught when Zoe appeared in the doorway holding onto Jin Tao’s arm. She looked absolutely stunning in a high neck, sleek red dress that had a gold decorative pattern on it. Her hair had been styled up, with several dark tendrils falling down in soft curls. Knowing that she was wearing her mother’s ceremonial dress made the moment even more special.

  Their gazes locked and held as she moved forward to join him, and there in front of a small group of family and friends, they pledged their lives to one another.

  The ceremony was short and sweet. After it was over, Dante kissed his new bride as everyone cheered. Before they could leave the room, Jin Tao handed Dante a red envelope, telling him it was a Chinese tradition to give a gift to the new couple. Dante thanked him, then almost passed out when he opened it and saw the amount Zoe’s father had given them.

  A few hours later, Dante and Zoe sat in his truck outside the front of The Fox Hole, waiting to make their entrance. They’d had a special dinner after the ceremony, then they were told that their friends were gathered at The Fox Hole for an impromptu reception.

  “Twenty million fucking dollars.”

  Zoe glanced over at him. “You keep saying that.”

  “I know. Because I can’t really believe your dad gave us twenty million fucking dollars.”

  Reaching over the center console, she patted his arm. “He doesn’t really like you yet, but I’m sure he’ll give us more once we have kids.”

  Dante choked. “More? What the fuck would we do with more? We shouldn’t even take this! This isn’t normal, Zoe. People don’t just give away this kind of money.”

  She bit her lip to hold back a laugh. “I don’t think you understand just how wealthy my father really is. To him, twenty million was on the low end of what my dowry should have been. But then again, I told you, he doesn’t really like you yet.”

  “My head feels like it’s going to explode.”

  She let out a little laugh. “You’ll get used to it.”

  “No, I really don’t think I will. We run a bar for Christ’s sake!”

  “Think of it this way, now we can afford all the renovations we want.”

  “And then some,” he muttered. “There is my dad’s signal. Let’s go in.”

  He got out of the truck and came around to her side to help her out. He tolerated the suit and tie since she was still in her beautiful dress. When they walked into the bar hand in hand, they were met astounding applause and cheers that shook the rafters. They were hugged, kissed and congratulated as they were passed from person-to-person. The bar was officially still closed, but it seemed like the whole town had showed up to celebrate their big day.

  As expected, Zoe was given hell when she was cornered by her friends. Kali, Evie, Francesca and a few others were pissed they hadn’t been told what was going on, and Zoe didn’t hesitate to throw the men under the bus. GT passed Zoe a glass of champagne as the women moved off in an angry mob to track down their men.

  “That was mean,” GT said with a chuckle.

  “I know it.” Zoe grinned, then she leaned back against Dante as his arm slid around her waist.

  “What are you two laughing at?”

  “The fact all you men are paying for leaving the women out of our little adventure,” GT informed him.

  They were distracted when a scowling Hunter joined them. “I got smacked on the head by my sister, my cousin and my ma because of you.”

  Zoe blinked innocently. “I have no idea what you mean.”

  He waved that off. “Thought you’d like to know. I got a text from Nikita.”

  Zoe felt Dante stiffen behind her, and her own heart started to pound. “What did it say?”

  He pulled out his cell phone and showed them.

  Angel is free. The news might interest you tonight…

  Without saying a word, Dante moved toward the bar and reached over the counter to grab one of the remotes. He turned on the television closest to them and started scanning the channels until he found a news station. Increasing the volume until they could hear it over the crowd behind them, they watched as a news reporter stood in front of an elegant house on the screen.

  “We’re reporting live in front of the large estate owned by Shen and Meili Wei, the owners of Wei Auction. Earlier tonight, the house behind me was raided by agents, culminating in one of the largest recoveries of stolen artifacts, jewelry and art reported in the United States. Their son, Paul Wei, a fugitive wanted for murder, was reportedly killed in a shootout with police a few days ago in Texas, in connection with this black market trafficking case that federal investigators have been looking into for the last few years. Until now, there has been no evidence to tie Shen and Meili Wei into the scandal, but the shocking discoveries tonight have confirmed it. Another development occurred when it was reported that several young children were found locked in a hidden room in the basement of the estate. Right now, we don’t know the identity of any of these children, but we can speculate that the Wei Auction house might have been moving into human trafficking. Both Shen and Meili Wei were killed in the takedown, as were several guards that the couple had on the property. It is still unknown which agency is taking credit for the takedown, but we can only say that it’s a job well done to whoever was involved in stopping this family’s criminal enterprise.”

  “Human trafficking,” Zoe whispered horrified. “How could anyone do something like that?”

  “You cut off their regular side business,” Hunter told her. “It’s not a hard jump for them to start moving other things that would net them large sums of mone
y. It was probably easy for them, and they didn’t even have to travel. All those charity events they’ve been hosting lately, their clientele probably came right to them.”

  “I’m glad they’re dead,” GT bit out. “People like that who kidnap children, there’s a special place in hell for them.”

  “I agree,” Dante growled. “And I hope they’re able to track down every buyer so they can put a bullet into their heads as well.”

  “It’s really over,” Zoe whispered, turning so she could wrap her arms around his waist. “I’m so happy it’s over, but hearing about all the horrible things they were doing…I’ve been in that house, Dante.”

  He pressed his lips against her temple. “It might have been a new business venture for them like Hunter said.”

  She pulled back so she could look at both Hunter and Dante. “How am I ever going to be able to repay Nikita?”

  “She wouldn’t want you to,” Hunter said simply, then he walked away, heading straight for Dare to update him on the news.

  GT blinked. “Why would you thank Nikita? Speaking of, where is she?”

  Zoe glanced at Dante before saying, “She should be back in a few days. Now, I need another drink. We have a lot to celebrate.”

  * * * *

  It was late by the time Dante drove Zoe back to his house.

  Their friends had been in on the wedding surprise, and had spent the evening moving Zoe’s things into Dante’s house for them. Zoe had been comically horrified when she’d heard they’d moved her stuff, but Dante had laughingly told her that he’d already moved her toys from their hiding spot in her apartment and had taken them to his house, where he’d tucked them away someplace she’d never find them.

  “You really need to get over that,” she said as they got out of their truck.

  “Nope. Not going to happen. You want it, you come to me.”

  She let out an exaggerated sigh. “If I must.”

  “Come here, you,” he growled as he swept her into his arms. Carrying her to the front door, he bent a little to unlock it before stepping over the threshold. “Isn’t this tradition? For a man to carry his bride through the door?”

  “It is,” she murmured, then pressed a kiss to his lips. “Now, put me down. Why don’t you go get us something to drink? The ladies told me they left a gift in the bedroom for me that I think you’re going to like.”

  His gaze heated. “I’m intrigued.”

  “Give me ten minutes.”

  She hurried down the hallway toward the bedroom and he heard the door slam shut a few seconds later. He’d taken the tie off in the truck on the way home and tossed it on the kitchen counter now as he searched for the bottle of champagne he knew was in the wine fridge.

  It was a hard wait, but he gave her the ten minutes she’d asked for. He took off the suit jacket, laying it over the back of a chair, then he carried the bottle and two glasses with him to the bedroom. He knocked on the door, and when she called out to him, he opened it.

  Starlight greeted him. Zoe had lit dozen of candles in the room, reminding him of the first night they’d spent together. His eyes searched for her, and when he finally saw her, his heart swelled with love. She was wearing a long shimmering gown of white lace and satin that hugged her curves and highlighted her long legs with a slit in the skirt that came up to the top of her thigh. She looked like every dream, every wish he’d ever made, and it was hard to believe she really belonged to him.

  “You’re fucking gorgeous.”

  Her bright tinkle of laughter warmed his heart.

  “You say the sweetest things,” she drawled out as she slowly walked over to him. Reaching out, she took the bottle and glasses from him and set them on the dresser before she moved into his arms. “I love you, husband.”

  Just like that, Dante instantly felt all those empty spaces inside himself fill. She was his light, his love. “Not as much as I love you, wife.”

  Smiling, she pulled him with her as she took a few steps backward until they were in the middle of the room. “Stay right here for a second.”

  She went back to the dresser and picked up her phone. After she hit a button, music began to play. The strains of the violin playing were light and airy, and the melody was soft and sweet. Dante cocked his head to the side as he listened.

  The song was beautiful and something he’d never heard before.

  When she moved back to him, she took his hands in hers. “Will you dance with me?”

  “Of course.” He took her into his arms, holding her close. When she rested her head on his chest, he let out a contented sigh. “I wish I could hold you like this forever.”

  “You can,” she assured him. “Dante? Do you like this song?”

  “I really do. It’s beautiful, but I’ve never heard it before.”

  “That’s because I wrote it for you.”

  Dante froze. He stared down at her with wide eyes. “Wait—what?”

  “I started composing this shortly after I moved here. There was no music in me before that. I was empty until I walked in the bar and met you. I never thought I could love this deeply, but then I fell in love with you and a whole new world opened up for me. You helped put the music back in my soul, Dante.”

  He leaned his forehead against hers. “I love you so much it fucking hurts. I can’t lose you.”

  “Never,” she vowed, wrapping around him tight. “Want to know what I named this song? I titled it “Dante’s Angel,” because of you.”

  “How can I ever thank you for what you’ve given me?” he asked, his voice rough with emotion.

  Her lips curved even as her eyes filled. “You’ve given me everything. If I have your love, you’ve given me everything I’ve ever wanted.”

  “God, I love you.”

  With a groan, he slammed his mouth down on hers. He needed her. Desperately. Endlessly. Picking her up, he carried her over to the bed. They undressed one another, hands stroking lovingly as they stole gentle kisses in between removing each item.

  When they were both naked, he laid her down on the bed, covering her body with his. She opened for him, welcoming him, and when he slid deep, it was like coming home. They loved each other in the golden glow of candlelight, moving together as one. He filled her with slow strokes, teasing her until she was writhing beneath him.

  Zoe felt herself sinking into him, deep into the love that welled up inside her like a bubbling fountain until it filled her completely. She took his mouth with hers again, sharing that love, wanting him to feel it, taste it. She ran her hands over the corded muscles of his back, feeling the power of them bunch beneath her palms as he continued to move.

  “Dante, please, please…” she moaned, shaking her head from side-to-side, begging for more.

  Dante’s greed for her broke him. He felt her struggling beneath him and gripped her hands in his, linking them together. Breath coming in gasps now, he drove deep, filling her to the hilt. Hips pumping, he began to move faster, driving into her over and over again until he heard her scream his name as she shattered around him. When he let his own release take him, he buried his face against her neck, shuddering as he emptied himself inside her.

  “Only you,” he whispered.

  And it was true. She was his angel, and he was sure to the depth of his soul that he would love her until the moment he took his last breath.

  The End

  www.laurieroma.com

  Other Books by Laurie Roma:

  www.evernightpublishing.com/laurie-roma

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  Evernight Publishing

  www.evernightpublishing.com

 

 

 
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