Dante was ready for blood. He didn't care that I handled the situation. Someone had left a mark on me and he was too possessive of me to ever allow anyone to get away with that.
Dante: If you don't tell me who it was I will pick off every fucking man in that place until I find out who it was staring with Bill!
Rylee: Dante! I have been cleaning up scum off the streets for the last 4 years. Not everyone deserves to die for making one mistake. I don't know what happened to him tonight but I know he's not normally like that.
His brows furrowed and it triggered. He knew. It all clicked into place the way Mark had been looking at me at the meeting last week.
Dante: Mark!
He barked. I nodded with tears in my eyes. This made him confused. The look on his face was almost of hurt.
Dante: Another Lions den customer?
Rylee: Yes.
Dante: Why do you care what happens to him.
Rylee: He wasn't a bad guy. He's just a numbers guy, kind of a nerd and he liked me. He was sucked into your fathers world not by choice so I always kind of felt bad for him.
Dante's chest rose and fell still with anger. Nothing I was saying would excuse what happened tonight.
Dante: What did he do.
My heart was pounding my eyes watered. I took a few shaky breaths. I'm not really sure what was going on with my emotions. Dante's fingers gripped my chin and forced me to look in his eyes. He searched them with conflict and concern. I pulled my chin from his grip and looked away.
Rylee: It's the god damn pregnancy hormones. I'm all fucked up right now and you're not helping with your caveman act!
I snapped at him and tried to step away. His strong arms swallowed me and pinned me against the counter.
Dante: I'm sorry. You know I won't tolerate someone putting there hands on you, and you just admitted your hormones have you off. So please tell me so I can make sure it doesn't happen again.
Rylee: It won't happen again. After Bill left the meeting room Mark grabbed me and kissed me. He wanted me to leave you and go away with him. When I told him he was only ever a customer he got angry and kept squeezing my arms. He threatened to tell you about the things I did at the Lions den and then I kneed him in the balls and told him to leave New York or you wouldn't be as generous to him.
Dante: Did you two have a thing?
Rylee: No. god no. I just. He was a customer that paid for a lot of dances and stuff but he was always nice. Sometimes all we did was talk. Mostly he would give me info on your dads business when he would have a few too many. But it was never anything more than business.
Dante's jaws clenched his fists balled up till his knuckles where white. With out a word he picked up his jacket from the floor and walked out of the apartment. Feeling defeated and alone I dragged my self into the bedroom and curled up in the bed. I must have fallen asleep because the next I knew my body was being swallowed by his arms again and pulled back into his chest. The slightest sliver of moon light reflected off the fresh red marks on his knuckles and I knew. He must have found Mark or some poor schmuck. I didn't really care. I was exhausted and all that mattered was he was back home and I was in his arms.
The next two weeks past quickly. I never asked Dante what he had done to Mark and really I wasn't sure I cared. My mind was to wrapped up with settling into the new house and preparing for the Gala which was finally upon us. It was Sunday afternoon August 2nd. I finished getting dressed and went to my dresser drawer where I pulled out my families photo. I say a silent prayer rubbing my thumb over the photo before sliding it into my clutch. Dante's big hands wrapped around my front as his warm lips hovered behind my ear. The nausea had finally passed but my hormones where dangerously out of wack. It was like being bipolar. I was horny and happy one minute and fuming with murderous intent the next. Thank god I was surrounded by smart men, who have all at one point dealt with a pregnant woman at least once in their life that is accept for Erik, Trevor and Dante.
Erik and Trevor learned quickly where as Dante just seemed amused and would often be the one to instigate my tirades because he knew it usually lead to really good kinky sex. His hot breath blew on my ear as he looked over my shoulder down at the picture.
Dante: You good?
Rylee: Yes.
I glanced up at the vanity taking a last look at Emma Landry. It would be the last time I wear these brown contact lenses. The last day Anyone would call me Emma, or Miss Landry. I would in just a few hours be Rylee Banes.
We arrived early so that we could greet the guests. The amount of aristocrats that showed was unbelievable. It was a great turn out that would definitely help a lot of families. My heart palpated and my palms began to sweat when I felt his presence. The man I had yet to see since being back in New York. The man who orchestrated it all. My uncle. He walked up with a very young blond with fake tits, Kim Kardashian lips and ass, attached to his arm.
Roy: Dante, I heard you where back.
Dante quickly covered the death stare he had with a nonchalant smile and manly grip.
Roy: Well you certainly have gotten stronger. So I hear you got engaged who's the lucky gal.
Dante kept a protective stance slightly in front of me as I reached around him with my hand. Roy took a good hard look at me from head to toe and smiled shaking my hand.
Roy: I guess I should say he's the lucky one.
He waggled his eye brows bending over to kiss my hand, but I quickly with drew and stepped back. He turned back to Dante slapping a hand on his shoulder giving him a wink. It was subtle but I could hear or rather feel the growl coming from deep with in Dante's lungs. When Mr. Santino arrived he had a new lady on his arm. She was maybe in her 40's but you could hardly tell with her yoga body and aristocrat demeanor. His smile widened as he reached out his arms taking me into a hug.
Vincent: My future daughter in Law. Ever so beautiful.
I accepted the hug as my inside screamed you murderer. He glanced down at my belly. I looked over at Dante as he shrugged his shoulders like he didn't know his dad knew?
Vincent: How's my grand baby.
He chuckles at my open mouth gape.
Vincent: You reminded me so much of my wife at dinner, and well it was pretty obvious with the sudden departure.
I gave him a shy smile.
Rylee: And who's this lovely lady.
I reached out a hand to his date who seemed un interested in the conversation we were having.
Vincent: This is Celia my date.
She gingerly took my hand for a quick shake. I looked back and forth between the two.
Vincent: I was no fool. I couldn't possibly keep a viper like Sophia around after the way she disrespected you and how obvious she wanted to fuck my son.
Celia rolled her eyes and nudged Vincent to keep walking.
Rylee: Well thank you for coming.
Butterflies were growing in my belly. My lower back was tingling and my heart was still palpating. The thought of something bad happening was drawing a deep fear inside me. Dante sensed my shift.
Dante: Babe?
He turned me towards him.
Rylee: Just nerves.
I offered him a faint smile. He wasn't going to accept it. He stared me down until I caved.
Rylee: I don't think I can do this. I didn't think it through, I didn't think about what it would mean for the charity. If I came out now all these people will be upset that they had been deceived and want their money back. The charity and Banes Financial could take a huge hit.
Dante let out a breath of relief.
Dante: Good. Then we'll save it for the engagement party my dad is throwing after the gala.
He laughed at my facial expression and took my hand leading us to our table. I felt a little better about my decision. I text Gram to let him know about the change of plans. Dante informed James. The spokes person for No cell left behind gave her speech and introduced the band we hired for entertainment while food was served. The auction began shortly after and was going very well.
Rylee: I need to pee, I'll be right back.
I gave Dante a quick peck on the cheek
Dante's: Be sure to go in the one with the person wearing a dress.
He hollered as I was walking away. I kept waking while shaking my head with embarrassment. James was standing at the door way with a smirk. I scowled at him but couldn't hold it for long and joined in the laughter. I patted his shoulder as I passed and made my way down the hall. Erik was at the customer service desk flirting with the same girl from two weeks ago. He stood attention as I neared and followed me around the corner.
Rylee: It's fine Erik. I just have to go to the restroom you can continue doing what you were doing.
He rubbed a hand through his hair and blushed. But as I reached for the door he pushed past me checking each stall before nodding at me and walking out. I shook my head and laughed at the excessive protectiveness these men all had for me. I finish my business and wash my hands. Just as I finish drying them the hairs on my neck stand on end. I look up in the mirror to see Mark standing behind me. I whip around to see he has a gun in his hand. One side of his face is yellow and almost green showing the after math of a beating. There's a gash over his right eye that's scabbed over. His right hand is in a cast.
That explained why the gun was in his left hand and shaking. That and fear. He was a tall athletic guy that obviously thought he could over power me. But he was nothing next to the guys out side that door who would be waiting to finish him this time. I took in a deep steady breath and pushed it out slowly. Hormones or not, I was Rylee fucking Bane trained assassin. Mark had his chance.
Rylee: You do realize that what ever it is you think you're doing, you will never get out of here alive.
I say calmly as he laughs out. And takes a few steps towards me.
Mark: On the contrary. You remember why I told you we couldn't be together.
Rylee: We would have never been together.
He back hands me with the cast.
Mark: Because they would use you against me. Well guess what. I now know that you are Dante's weakness. So yeah I will be walking out of here and with you.
Rylee: You're delusional Mark. I don't know what happened to the guy from the club but this guy? This guy isn't you.
Mark: But you like this guy better don't you. You like your men dominant.
He grabbed my pony tail pulling my head back forcing his lips on mine. With in seconds the gun flies out of his hand as I have him flipping over onto his back. I made a fatal error leaving my stomach unprotected. The pain was excruciating the instant his arm with the cast made contact. I gasped clutching my stomach as I fell over into a fetal position. Marks terrified face loomed over mine. The pounding on the bathroom door grew louder as Dante's voice boomed through. The baby. Tears fell from my eyes as the realization sunk in. I'm losing the baby. The fear and anger took over the pain temporarily as I managed to slide my hand against my thigh grabbing hold of my throwing knife.
Just as the door of the bathroom came crashing down forcing Mark to look away I plunged the knife into his neck. I kept stabbing him until Dante managed to take hold of my arms.
Rylee: The baby
I barely whispered as the pain took back over the adrenaline and I succumbed to darkness.