Page 49 of Depraved

My driver steps out and opens my door, letting me slide in and shutting it behind me as I pull my cell out and dial Matteo. I want answers, and I won’t wait until I’m home.

He answers on the first ring.

“Boss.”

“Put her on,” I clip out.

There’s silence, and then I hear her voice blast through. “Where have you been?”

“I want to know who the fuck your family is. And I want to know now.”

THE HAIRS ON MY ARMSstand on end over the tone coating his words. His voice is gruff and angry. It doesn’t sound like Dante. More like the men I’m used to. He sounds unhinged, rageful, and unpredictable. And I don’t like it.

“Don’t speak to me like that,” I say calmly because he feels volatile, even over the phone.

Why is he angry? I was so relieved when he finally called, and now I’m totally thrown.

Dante lets out a growl as he answers, “I’ll speak to you any way I like. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll answer my fucking question.”

What the fuck?He’s insanely angry.

I’ve been waiting hours for him to call. Hours. All I’ve wanted was to tell him everything, to let him help. To let him in. But right now, I don’t trust that anything I would say to him could be seen with clear eyes.

“No. You aren’t going to call me and start yelling for answers. Calm down and then we’ll talk,” I snap, irritated at his insistence. “I had a shit night. What the hell has gotten into you?”

“Right. Fucking. Now,” he roars, banging sounding off in the background.

“What is wrong with you? You’re acting like a lunatic,” I yell back, throwing an arm in the air and turning my back to a watchful Matteo.

I can only imagine what the car will look like afterward.

“I’m a lunatic? Huh? You’re right, sweetheart…I’m the asshole protecting a girl who’s fighting me every step of the way and keeping more secrets than the truths she tells. Don’t deny it…because that will just be adding to your lies.”

My voice catches in my throat as I answer, “The only secrets I’m keeping don’t need to be told.”

“That’s what I fucking thought. Nothing stays a secret forever. Remember that.”

The contempt in his voice guts me. If I didn’t know better, I would think he’d found my family.

“I won’t talk to you like this,” I breathe out quietly.

The line is bathed in silence, interrupted only by Dante letting out an audibly ragged breath.

“I found a guy. And that someone’s left me with unanswered questions. Ones you will answer willingly. Or this time I’ll make you.”

The harsh control in his voice makes my eyes falter. My hand brushes up to my throat as I stand stoically, trying to keep my composure. Three hours ago, he was the only person I thought could bring me the peace I needed.

And now I realize how stupid I’ve been. I don’t know whatmeanshe’ll use, but this Dante isn’t any version I’ve met before or one I care to.

“You can stow your fucking threats. Whatever you’re thinking in that head of yours, let me assure you that you’re wrong. My life isn’t as predictable as you may think.”

His voice booms over the line. “How the fuck would I know anything about your life? You’re one big goddamn secret. No matter how easy I make this for you, no matter how much help I offer, all you do is hide.”

I start to pace as we speak. “That’s all I know how to do, Dante.” I wrap my arm around my center and say the words before I can stop them. “I can’t believe that for a minute I actually thought you’d be what I needed.”

My head tips back, and I stare at the ceiling, standing in place as we stay in silence. Dante lets out a breath before speaking in a quieter tone.

“Even after all that’s happened between us, you won’t trust me. You refuse to believe that I know what’s best. That I’ve got your back. Unbelievable. You aren’t the girl I thought you were.”