Page 26 of Sev’s Blackmailed Bride (The Dante Dynasty #1)

F rancesca sat at her drawing board in her New York office, an office not that dissimilar from the one she’d occupied in San Francisco.

Exhaustion dogged her, thanks to an endless round of sleepless nights.

She’d only been in New York for a month, but already it felt like a lifetime.

She rubbed her eyes, struggling to get them to focus on designs that could only be described as mediocre, at best. For some reason, her heart wasn’t in her work anymore.

But then, how could it be? The past few weeks had been some of the darkest and most difficult of her life, far worse than anything she’d gone through in foster care. Worse even than her father’s rejection. She’d made a hideous mistake when she’d contacted Bloom’srep.

Why hadn’t it occurred to her that by helping the Fontaines, she was betraying Dantes.

.. and more specifically, the man she loved?

She’d been so busy easing her own guilt over leaving TH, that she never gave a thought to how her decision would impact Sev.

Or that thanks to their feelings for each other, he wouldn’t see her actions from a business standpoint, but take her betrayal personally.

She’d simply reacted to what she’d perceived as an unfair situation, and taken matters into her own hands.

That still didn’t explain why he hadn’t acknowledged the designs she’d given him on their last night together. She’d hoped he’d understand what they meant. Hoped he’d realize that while she’d won the Bloom account for TH, she’d left him something far more valuable.

A familiar longing filled her as The Inferno gave her a small, petulant kick. Even after all this time the connection remained—stretched thin and taut, granted. Yet, it held with unbelievable tenacity.

The phone on her desk let out a shrill ring and she picked it up, surprised to have her greeting answered with a cheerful, “Ciao, sorella. It’s Marco. ”

Pleasure mingled with disappointment at the sound of his voice. Pleasure to hear from a Dante. And disappointment that it wasn’t the right Dante. “It’s good to hear from you,” she replied. “Though I’m surprised that any of you are willing to talk to me.”

“You’d be even more surprised by how many of us are on your side.

” He hesitated. “I’m afraid I can’t talk right now.

Iactually called to ask about some missing designs.

Sev would like to know what happened to them.

They’re not in your old office. Idon’t suppose you took them with you to New York? ”

She frowned. “I don’t understand. Igave them to Sev.”

“When, Francesca?”

“The night—” She broke off. The night they’d last made love. “The night before I transferred to New York. Ibrought them to Sev’s apartment.”

“He claims he doesn’t have them.”

Memory kicked in. “It had been raining the night I gave him the designs and I was soaked through. Ivaguely recall he took them and tossed them onto the floor, out of the way.” An image flashed through her mind.

“I think they slid under that lovely old armoire he has in the entryway. You know the one I mean? He may not have noticed. ”

“Got it. Thanks, Francesca.” He hesitated. “Are you... are you doing okay?”

No. Not even close to okay. “I’m fine.”

“Right.” She could hear the irony slipping through the line. “About as fine as Sev, I’d guess.”

Francesca closed her eyes. “I have to be fine,” she whispered. “We both do. There isn’t any other choice.”

“ Y ou didn’t need to come with me,” Sev informed Marco. “I’m perfectly capable of looking under my own coat closet.”

“I came to try and make you see sense, as you damn well know.”

“I always see sense. I’m the most sensible

of the lot of you.”

“Not about this. Not when it comes to Francesca.”

Sev shoved his key into the front door lock and twisted so hard it was a wonder the metal didn’t snap off in his hand. “What’s gotten into you, Marco? What part of she betrayed us don’t you get? ”

“And how many times did you betray her?” his brother shot back. “I know. Iknow. You had valid reasons. It was all about protecting Dantes. So, answer me this, hotshot. What makes that okay and what she did not okay? She was protecting her family the same as you.”

That very question had been tearing Sev apart.

How could he explain to his brother that it wasn’t about business anymore?

How could he explain the irrational belief that this betrayal felt personal?

That this time he’d allowed his emotions to override his common sense?

For the first time in his life, he, the Dante who prided himself on cool, emotionless deliberation, who used calm logic and rational thinking to govern all of his business decisions, hadn’t been able to utilize any of his skills or abilities.

When it came to Francesca he was neither emotionless, nor logical, let alone cool and calm. The very thought of her caused a burning desire so overwhelming it didn’t leave room for anythingelse.

Marco followed Sev into the apartment. Stooping, he reached under the coat closet and snagged a large, thick envelope. “Here it is. Right where she said it’d be.” He sent the packet spinning in Sev’s direction. “Happy now? Glad you didn’t accuse her of selling her designs to the competition? ”

Sev jerked as though punched. “She’d never—” he said automatically.

“You’re right. She’d never.” Marco glared at him.

“Do you have any idea how lucky you are? Do you have any idea what the rest of us would give to feel The Inferno for a woman like Francesca? To know we could actually share a life with a woman like her, instead of longing for what we can never have? Instead of settling for second best? Inever thought I’d say this to you, of all people, but you’re an ass, Severo Dante. ”

Without a word, Sev ripped open the envelope and pulled out a sketchpad. He flipped it open and spared it a swift glance. And then he froze. “Marco...”

“What now?” He shifted to stand beside Sev and whistled softly. “If you needed proof how much she loves you, here it is.”

Sev nodded. Page after page revealed some of the most incredible jewelry designs he’d ever seen. Designs ideal for the expansion Dantes’ planned for some point in the future. It didn’t take much thought to understand what she’ddone.

Or why.

He understood all too well why she’d left these designs, designs she’d clearly been working on for years.

She’d taken with one hand by giving the Bloom account to TH, and given with the other by presenting Dantes with these designs, dispensing a rough sort of justice.

Only, she had more than compensated Dantes for what she’d given to Timeless Heirlooms.

She’d left him an incomparable gift, one that decimated the priorities he’d set in stone the day he’d first taken over from his father. Agift that made him realize there could only be one priority in his life from this point forward, and it wasn’t Dantes.

The gift she’d given him wasn’t the designs contained in her sketchpad. She’d left behind the gift of her heart.

A nother month passed after Francesca’s conversation with Marco. Amonth of pain and sorrow and regret. During those weeks, she’d come to the realization that Sev’s feelings for her were truly dead, that The Inferno no longer burned for him the way it still burned forher.

Even when she received instructions to return to San Francisco on company business, she’d been unable to summon so much as a spark of hope.

After all, miracles didn’t exist. She’d learned that at the tender of age of eight when she’d been discarded by the people she’d hoped would one day be her adoptive parents.

She knew better than to expect the door to open and for her to be welcomed in.

She’d been disappointed too many times. And Sev had made himself abundantly clear before sending her to New York.

She no longer belonged to the Dante inner circle.

She crossed to the mirror and examined her dress.

She’d been specifically asked by Sev’s assistant to wear red in order to fit in with the theme chosen for this evening’s festivities.

What theme, no one had bothered to explain.

So, Francesca picked the brightest, most glorious shade of red she couldfind.

The fitted bodice glittered with Swarovski crystal beads, while the chiffon skirt drifted outward from her hips to the floor in layers of handkerchief veils that lifted and swirled on an invisible breeze.

After some debate, she chose to leave her hair down and it fell in heavy curls to shoulders bared by the halter neckline of thegown.

Dantes had sent over jewelry to wear for the evening.

She’d never seen the pieces before, but they were positively breathtaking.

The necklace and earrings were simple confections, as romantic as they were elegant, featuring some of the most stunning fire diamonds she’d ever seen.

Based on the design of the engagement ring she’d worn for far too brief a time, she would bet these latest items were Primo’s creations, aswell .

After checking the mirror a final time, she forced herself to leave the relative safety of the suite before Sev sent out a search party.

Not giving herself a chance to reconsider, she took the elevator to the lobby and crossed to the steps leading to the ballroom.

She hesitated at the threshold, searching for a friendly face.

Instantly a hum of desire turned her insides molten.

She didn’t doubt the cause. Without any hesitation, she turned her head, keying in onSev.