Chapter 5 - The War on the Docks
Turning Vincent over to the feds was a declaration of unconventional warfare. By refusing to handle the betrayal internally, Dante had stripped the Falcone family of their legal protection. Within forty-eight hours, the FBI launched massive raids on every Falcone-controlled port in the state.
But a cornered beast is always the most dangerous. Don Falcone, realizing his empire was crumbling, issued a direct bounty on Grace Miller. They recognized her as the catalyst—the woman who had altered Dante Salvatichi’s predictable, violent responses.
"They're targeted at you now, Grace," Dante said as they sat in the estate library late that night. The room was illuminated only by the fire crackling in the hearth. "Falcone knows that if he breaks you, he breaks my new foundation."
"I'm not broken," Grace said, leaning back against the leather sofa. "For the first time in my life, I feel like I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be. I completed my final exams online today, Dante. The university accepted my credits. I'm officially certified to teach."
Dante looked at her, his eyes reflecting the amber flames of the fire. He reached out, his long fingers trailing along her jawline, tilting her face up to his. "You shouldn't be here, Grace. You should be in a bright classroom with colorful posters, teaching children who don't know what a silencer smells like."
"I am teaching a child," Grace whispered, her breath hitching as Dante leaned closer. "I'm teaching Ethan that he's loved. And I think... I'm trying to teach his father the same thing."
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"Grace," Dante groaned, his discipline finally snapping. He pulled her into a deep, possessive kiss that tasted of bourbon, fire, and a desperate, beautiful hunger. He held her as if she were the only real thing in a world made of smoke and mirrors.
When he pulled back, his forehead rested against hers. "If anything happens to you, I will burn this city to the ground, Grace. I mean it."
