Dante's perspective:
It never ceases to amaze me how on this women is. Everything she does and says has such passion and determination behind it. Like hiding in plain sight. Which she literally is. She uses truth as a disguise.
Valery: How can we donate.
Rylees eyes lit up as she plastered her most charming smile.
Rylee: You can always contact me at Banes financial but it just so happens that I am planning a big gala next month to hold a charity for no cell left behind.
Valery: I had an aunt die of breast cancer so I know all to well the struggles mentally and financially. Please sign us up. Where will this be held?
Rylee: Well I was hoping I could persuade Mr. Santino into offering us the use of The Santino country club.
She glanced over his way and I swear the corner of his mouth turned up into a genuine smile.
Rylee: The type of clients that belong to your country club are exactly the type of people we need for a successful event.
Vincent: Absolutely!
Rylee: Really?
Vincent: Anything you need I will have it provided.
Rylee sets her other hand over my fathers and gleams.
Rylee: Thank you sir. This is amazing.
Sophia: What's in it for us.
Everyone cuts daggers at Sophia.
Rylee: Publicity. The bigger more successful this event the more publicity Santino country club gets. All the money from the tickets and auction go to the charity fund but there will still be profit to the club from the bar and resort.
Vincent: It is a good business tactic. Something you no nothing about Sophia. Less I remind you to who's home this is, it will be advised that you hold your tongue the rest of the evening and show Miss Landry some respect.
I am dying inside, wanting to snicker like a child. The rest of the evening goes well. Rylee has my father wrapped around her little finger. If only he would have allowed time to take its course. If he only knew it was always our fate to be together. The fucking bastard. Seeing the way he is with her allows me to revel in the thought of him losing his shit when he discovers who she is, and when she does become my wife, which will be very soon if I have anything to say about it, he will not be reaping the benefits as he once thought he would.
Dante: I'm gonna go take a piss up stairs. Meet me up their in five minute farthest door to the right.
I whispered low enough only she could here.
After I finish my business and open the door I find myself being attacked. Sophia has her arms wrapped around me her lips stuck to mine as she pushes me backward. I lose my balance and fall hard on my ass with her jumping on my lap.
Dante: Jesus fucking Christ Sophia. Get the fuck off of me.
Sophia: Oh come on Dante I see the way you look at me. I know you want this.
I have never hit a woman but I was so filled with rage and disgust I was about to throw all morals out the window. Luckily I didn't have to. Rylee appeared behind Sophia with fire in her eyes and a smirk on her face. She had been waiting for the opportunity to put her hands on Sophia all night. Sophias head flies back as Rylee yanks her by her hair. In seconds she has her spun with her face slamming into the wall.
Rylee: You have one of two options. You can walk away right now as if nothing ever happened. Or I can drag your sorry whore ass down the stairs and explain to Mr. Santino how you attacked Dante
Sophia: As if he would believe you. The way I see it. Dante couldn't keep his hands or eyes off me all night and when you caught him trying to fuck me in the bathroom you attacked me.
Rylee holds up her phone to Sophias face and plays a video of Sophia jumping on me with me yelling at her to get off. She slips her phone back into her pocket book and watches as Sophia deflates and walks out of the bathroom in defeat. When Rylee turns to me her victory smile faltered. She was pissed.
Dante: What? You know I would have never touched that women.
She shakes her head and points at the mirror. There was red lipstick smeared across my mouth. I grab a towel and start scrubbing my face vigorously. Even with the lipstick gone the smell of her horrible perfume remained. I looked at Rylee and shrugged my shoulders reaching a hand to her.
Dante: I'm sorry babe. She caught me off guard.
Rylees face suddenly turned pale.
Rylee: Get out!
she screamed as she dove for the toilet and threw up what little dinner she had managed to get down earlier.
Rylee: Get out!
She cried between heaves.
I walked up behind her gathering her hair up in a tail pulling it out of the way.
Dante: No
Rylee: Please I don't want you to see me like this.
Dante: Too bad baby you're stuck with me. We might not be married yet but I will always be at your side through sickness and in health.
Minutes later there's a presence in the hall.
Vincent: Son!
My dad stands in the door way with actual concern in his eyes. I have Rylee cradled in my lap against the tub near the toilet with a wet cloth over her eyes. The vomiting stopped but her body is cold and trembling. I try to remain strong but all the memories of my mother when she was sick come flooding like the tears in my eyes.
Vincent: Is everything alright.
Dante: I honestly don't know. She keeps telling me she's fine.
Rylee: I am fine it's just nerves.
She mumbles from under the wash cloth and attempts to stand on shaky legs. I catch her as she stumbles.
Dante: That's it we're going to the Dr.
Vincent: Why don't you take her to your old room and I'll have the doctor come.
Rylee pulls her self together with a deep breath and determination setting the cloth on the counter she looks up at my father.
Rylee: I am terribly sorry for the disruption of dinner. It was lovely and It was a pleasure to finally meet you. I look forward to the gala.
She takes a step forward to the sink and washes her hands before turning to shake my fathers. He takes her hand in one and sets the other on top.
Vincent: The pleasure was mine. Are you sure you're ok. It would be no trouble to have the house doctor come check on you.
Rylee: I appreciate it I do but really I'm fine.
He steps back out into the hall allowing us to pass.
Vincent: Alright then I'll put in some calls to schedule a meeting with you Monday at the club.
Rylee: Thank you Vincent.
He pats my back and nods.
Dante: Thank you sir.
Rylee is determined to walk out of here on her own, but as soon as her foot hits the first step I sweep her up in my arms. This time she doesn't argue. I can see the look in her eyes she's exhausted. The second I hit the drive all my men fly out of the SUV with guns drawn. James is running to our side. But I shake my head. A look of confusion crossed his face that I will have to clear up for him later.
The drive home is long as I do what I can to make it as smooth and comfortable as possible. The sick feeling in my gut is tugging at my conscience. There's something more going on with her but she's so damn stubborn. Thankfully she falls asleep. When we get to the garage James is on us covering us till we get to the safety of the suite. Every one of my men have taking a liking to her. Some more than I care to imagine but each one would die for her.
I lay her on the bed and want to curl my body around her but the sound of a throat clearing behind me forces me to leave her for just a second.
James: You need me to call the doc.
I run my hand over my face knowing I should. But then there's a risk of having to blow her cover. Against my better judgment I decline James offer.
Dante: She says it's just nerves. She's throwing up but has no fever. I'll give her tonight. If she's not better tomorrow we'll call the doc.
Jame gives me a raised brow with a smirk.
James: If I may sir, could she be preg ....
I hold up a hand cutting him off immediately. If only that were all it was. But even if she was there would be risks and complications. I researched her condition and it's not promising.
Dante: She'll be fine.
I tell him but I think I'm really trying to convince myself.
James: With your permission I'll stay in tonight just incase.
His concern for her is welcoming. I pat his shoulder and nod before returning to the room. When my phone begins to vibrate. I fish it out of my jacket pocket. Caller I'd unknown. I think to ignore it but the sudden realization that Gram is probably sitting out side right now ready to take out every one of my guys to get to Rylee becomes a possibility.
Dante: Hello
I whisper as I walk into the bathroom and close the door.
Gram: You have five seconds to tell me she's alright and what the fuck happened before I start a body count.
His anger is justifiable. Rylee is like a daughter to him and he's in full blown protective father mode. If he was anyone else I would have dared him to follow through with his threat and put a bullet between his eyes. But this was Gram.
Dante: I was about to ask you the same. Have you seen or talk to her this week.
Gram: Tuesday during her lunch break. Why? Is she alright?
Dante: She's... I don't know Gram. She hasn't been eating, she's losing weight and she's been throwing up.
Gram: But she can't be pregnant can she?
Dante: Highly doubtful. So I take it you don't know anything either.
Gram: No. how is she right now.
Dante: Resting.
Gram: Fever?
Dante: No
Gram: What happened tonight.
Dante: Nothing. Everything went fine. Better than expected. But then she just got sick and started throwing up.
Gram: What about poison.
Dante: There's not a person I know that would want to hurt her, besides you and I are the only two people alive that knows who she is.
Gram: I'll call you right back.
I crack open the door to check on Rylee. She looks like an angel with the blue glow of the moon light reflecting off her pale skin.
My phone lights a minute later.
Gram: I'll be there in 20 with her doctor.
I hung up and text James even though he's just in the next room I shoot him the message to let Gram and the doctor up when they arrive. I walked to the bed shrugging out of my jacket and curl up around her small frame.
Dante: I love you Rye.
I whisper in her ear.