Chapter 60
A R I A N A
I was sitting on the floor, my head in my hands, when the bedroom door opened I looked up, expecting Esmeralda with more food or a guard.
But it was Dante.
I bolted up to my feet, my heart jumping he was here he finally came.
He stood by the door, just looking at me his face was hard to read, he did not look angry anymore.
He just looked… tired.
And sad.
I did not think I just ran to him throwing my arms around his neck and buried my face in his chest.
“I am so sorry,” I cried, my words muffled against his shirt. “I am so sorry, Dante I never meant to say those words I was scared and hurt and stupid please forgive me p>
Part of me felt like I was apologizing cause I meant it but another part of me knew it was only out of desperation to save my son, I needed to act well.
For a second, he did not move he just stood there, stiff.
Then, I felt his arms slowly wrap around me they held me tight as he let out a long, shaky breath.
“I know,” he said, his voice rough. “I know you did not mean it p>
He pulled back just a little he cupped my face in his big, warm hands his thumbs gently wiped the tears from my cheeks.
“I was scared too,” he whispered. “Seeing those men on you… I have never felt fear like that the anger… I care about you Ariana I don’t want to lose you p>
Hearing him say that broke my heart all over again I was lying to this man who cared so much.
I could not stand it I needed to feel close to him I needed to forget the lies for just a minute.
I reached up and grabbed his face pulling his lips down to mine and kissed him.
It was not a soft kiss It was desperate.
I kissed him like he was air and I was drowning I kissed him like it was the only thing keeping me from falling completely apart.
I poured all my fear, my guilt, and my sadness into that kiss.
And Dante kissed me back just as desperately he held me like he would never let go.
For a moment I tried to forget what was going on but who was kidding? When the picture of Asher being being held captive played in my head like a broken record it made me shudder urging me to break the kiss.
My heart was pounding so hard as though it was going to pop out from its ribcage.
I looked up into Dante’s dark eyes he looked confused by my desperate kiss but he was still holding me, he had not let go.
The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them.
“I think I am falling for you,” I whispered.
His eyes widened completely taken aback by my sudden confession.
I quickly kept talking I was scared if I stopped, I would never say it and part of me… a deep part… felt like it was true even though the words were all lies, this feeling for him felt real.
The confession is out of desperation to save Asher.
“I know our marriage started for all the wrong reasons,” I said, my voice shaky. “It was a business deal, a convenience but these past few days… being with you… it feels different p>
My heart was beating so fast I was terrified of his reaction would he laugh? Would he get angry?
“I had given up on love,” I continued, my eyes filling with tears. “After Angelo, I thought my heart was broken forever I thought I could never feel this way again but you… you made me feel again you made me hope again p>
Lies!
All lies!
I was suprised to as how the lies came out so easily they almost felt like they were true, but who was I kidding?
I couldn’t be possibly in love with Dante, could I?
I bit my lower lip, nervous. “I know you may not feel the same way I know this is probably not what you signed up for but I had to tell you Dante, the feelings are eating me up p>
I had started saying the words to keep up my act make him trust me more but each time I spoke, something changed.
The words stopped feeling like a lie they started feeling like they were coming from the deepest, most hidden part of my heart.
It was the most terrifying and honest thing I had ever said.
I looked down, unable to meet his eyes anymore as I waited for him to say something.
Anything.
To tell me that I was lying, that he didn’t see the sincerity in my eyes, but he kept quite.
The fear lingered as the silence for a little bit too much.
What have you done Ariana?
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, my voice small. “I shouldn’t have said anything. I p>
Dante didn’t let me finish.
He kissed me, shitting me off.
He pulled back just enough to look into my eyes own eyes were shining with something I had never seen in them before if I am not mistaken I’d say it looked like happiness.
“I love you, Ariana,” he said, his voice rough with emotion. “You have no idea how long I have waited to hear those words from your mouth p>
My breath caught in my throat did I hear him right? Did he just say he loved me?
Before I could process it, he kissed me again.
Did he mean it? It looked like he did?
Dante Russo was in love with me? How?
The fear of the damage I’ve cause and what I’m about to cause ate me up.
Dante had no idea what my father had in stored for him, he had no idea that the woman he claimed to love was the one that would stab him in the back.
Well things were clear now, I was no different than my father