Page 23 of Do It For Me

“Ragnetta…”

I sit up straight, my head colliding with something hard. I press my hand to my forehead as Dante does the same, both of us groaning in pain while he struggles to hold back a laugh.

“You scared me!”

“Sorry. I told you I’d come.”

I sigh as he sits on the edge of the bed.

“You don’t seem excited to see me. If you’d rather, I can come back next week and—”

“No, I’m fine.” I rub my eyes. “What do you want to do?”

He smiles. “Follow me.”

Somehow, Dante convinced me to climb onto the roof. But there’s no way he’ll talk me into jumping into the middle of nowhere.

“I’ll catch you if you fall,amore. Trust me.”

“I don’t even know you,” I whisper, my voice a high-pitched squeak. “Why am I doing this? I’m going to sleep right here, I don’t care.”

“You can’t be serious.”

“I’m absolutely serious. I won’t jump. You’re insane!”

I press my back against the wall—roof tiles?… Whatever this is. If I move, I’ll fall. I’ll break my back, and my father will probably beat me in the hospital or something. No, I won’t let that happen!

“Come on, sweetheart. You’re better than this.”

“Yes, and that’s why I’m going back to my bed. I’ll close my eyes, and I’ll sleep until this nightmare ends!”

Unfortunately, there’s nothing to hold onto.

I’m such an idiot.

Maybe if I extend my arm far enough, I can—

A gunshot rings out nearby, and I jump in place. My foot slips, and I fall.

That’s it. I’m dead. I knew this was a bad idea. But Dante looked so confident—I thought he had a better plan, like a bloody ladder or something waiting for us.

“Open your eyes, sweetheart.”

I do. His face is far too close to mine, a cocky smile playing on his lips. “Was this so terrible?”

I tuck my arms against my chest as soon as I realise how pressed I am to his body, but not even like that I’m far enough.

His arms are wrapped around my legs and torso...

Déjà vu.

His heartbeat pounds so hard I feel it against my arm. I lean into him. His scent fills my nostrils, and all I can think about is safety. Relief.

Dante.

Why?

Another gunshot echoes in the distance.