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“Fine. Movie it is.”

“Don’t sound so enthusiastic,” I say sarcastically. He rolls his eyes, stepping into the elevator.

“Do you remember the first time we watched a movie together?”

He suppresses a grin.

I lace my arms around his neck, peering up into his deep brown eyes. They haven’t been as black lately, but I also haven’t seen him angry in recent times.

“Yes.” He wraps his hands around me, giving my ass a firm squeeze.

“Do you need me to remind you?”

My skin heats, and I tuck my bottom lip between my teeth. I would love nothing more than a reminder.

Helowers his head to my neck and takes my flesh between his, sucking as if I supply him with life. I let out a soft moan. He pulls his mouth back slightly, hovering above my sensitive skin.

“Fuck the movie,” his disheveled tone raspy.

He hurls me over his shoulder and takes us to his room.

This is going to be a long night.

* * *

I wake to my phone ringing at 4 in the morning.Dad isdisplayed across the screen. I swipe and answer in a panic.

“Is everything okay?” I feel my heart racing in my chest. He would never call me at this hour unless it were a dire emergency.

“Evelyn, I need you to come to the hospital now. Your mother…,” he chokes on his words, “your mother is on a ventilator.”

Dread sinks into my bones as I stiffen from his words. They suffocate me, drown me in agony.

“W-what happened?” I feel my throat constrict, trying to hold back the wave of emotion crashing through me.

He is silent for a moment and then speaks dryly.

“There was a fire. Our home is gone, Evelyn. I’ll see you soon.” The line goes dead.

The phone shakes in my hand, unable to remove it from my ear. It can’t be true.

Dante sits up on his side of the bed, noticing my trembling body.

“Baby, is everything okay?” He scurries off the bed and kneels before me, stroking my hair affectionately.

I close my eyes, allowing the tears to break free. I gasp, trying to inhale anything. I can’t fucking breathe. He quickly presses his forehead to mine and takes my hands in his.

“Where do we need to go, what do we need to do?” he implores.

“M-my….. mom…. she’s… in the hospital.”

He squeezes my hands, and he rushes into action.

He returns to the bed fully dressed, having gathered my clothes for me. He helps me get dressed as I sob to myself. He lifts my chin, forcing my eyes to lock with his.

“We will do whatever needs to be done, princess. I love you.” He plants a soft kiss upon my lips. He loves me. The thought rushes into my mind, offering a moment of comfort. Then he rushes me to the hospital, unable to hold onto the comfort for long because all I can think is— I don’t want my mom to die.

* * *