Page 33 of The Dante (Those (Damn!) Texas Dantes #1)

JAZZ HEARD Lily’s phone buzz and glanced over as her sister frowned at the screen. Atext popped up from one of the girls upstairs.

Turn on the TV.NOW!

Jazz’s pulse spiked. Ten endless days had passed with the speed of cold molasses. Not once during all that time had Titus answered when she’d called. Nor had he replied to any of her messages.

Now her fingers fumbled for the remote, heart pounding as she switched on the nearest screen. The usual program flickered and disappeared, replaced by a breaking news banner. The moment the words registered, her breath caught in her throat.

A bold red banner flashed across the screen: brEAKING NEWS: FBI STING TAKES DOWN MAJOR CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE.

Jazz’s breath hitched. Awave of dizziness hit her as the screen filled with a cascade of mugshots, faces blurring together as her vision tunneled.

Her stomach twisted violently, nausea rising in her throat as her pulse pounded in her ears.

Her hands felt clammy, her fingers digging into the couch as if anchoring herself to something solid.

This couldn’t be happening. Not him. Not like this.

Her pulse pounded in her ears, drowning out the news anchor’s voice.

She scanned frantically, dread winding tighter with every passing second.

If his face appeared—if his name was spoken—it would mean everything was over.

She reached for Lily in an effort to steady herself.

“Do you see him?” she whispered, her voice breaking. “Is he there?” Panic clawed up her throat as she gripped Lily’s arm, her fingers diggingin.

Lily flipped through the channels, her jaw tight. “I don’t see him,” she muttered. “Keep looking.”

Jazz’s stomach twisted as her gaze darted between the faces, searching, dreading. Every second that passed felt like a lifetime. They were all the top crime bosses. But... No Titus. At least, notyet.

“Federal authorities have executed a large-scale sting operation, leading to the arrest of multiple high-profile figures in an ongoing corruption case. Among those taken into custody is Senator Alistair Vex, who is now facing a slew of charges, including bribery, racketeering, money laundering, and conspiracy.”

The footage shifted to a live scene. Vex, looking pale and stunned, was being led away in handcuffs. Cameras flashed, reporters shouted, but he kept his head down, lips pressed into a tight, furiousline.

Jazz’s stomach twisted. She clutched the back of the couch, her fingers digging into the fabric as the reality of what she was seeing hit her like a freight train.

This wasn’t Titus.

These were all his enemies.

Everything she thought she knew collapsed, the foundation of her world crumbling beneath her like a sinkhole opening without warning. The truth wasn’t just shifting—it was swallowing her whole. The pieces didn’t fit anymore. None of itdid.

Her mind raced. Had Titus been arrested, too, or just his enemies? Was he part of this or not? She grabbed her phone, hands shaking as she searched frantically for his name in the reports. Lily did the same, flipping between channels, scanning the news feeds.

Nothing.

Not a single mention of Titus Dante.

Only Vex. Only the men who had tried to move againsthim.

A choked sound of realization and dread came from the corner of the room.

Jazz turned just in time to see her father stagger back, his grip tightening around the edge of the table.

His face had gone ghostly pale, eyes darting between the TV and his own shaking hands, like he could somehow change what he was seeing.

His chest rose and fell in quick, shallow breaths, his lips parting soundlessly before the words finally brokefree.

“Oh, God,” he whispered. His voice sounded hoarse, barely audible.

He looked at Jazz, realization dawning in his wide, horrifiedeyes.

“He played me.”

Then, before anyone could react, Sam bolted.

Jazz snapped out of her shock. “Dad!” she called, but he was already gone, shoving out the back door, disappearing in the direction of hiscar.

Lily let out a low whistle. “Damn. The Dante really did it. He’s got his digital fingertips in so many pies, I can’t believe he pulled it off.” She shook her head, eyes locked on the screen. “I knew he was playing a long game, but this? This is next level.”

But Jazz barely heard her. Her heart was pounding for a different reasonnow.

Where was Titus?

Jazz turned to Lily, her voice urgent. “I have to go. Ihave to find him.”

Lily’s expression softened, but she didn’t try to stop her. Instead, she gave a small, understanding nod. “Don’t worry about me. Go. Go find him.”

Jazz didn’t think. She just ran. If Titus had been arrested, if he had been taken in with the others, she needed to know. If he wasn’t—if he had somehow orchestrated all of this—then she needed to understand why he hadn’t toldher.

The drive was a blur, her hands white-knuckled on the wheel as she sped through the streets, barely registering the lights, the turns, the city flashing pasther.

Fear and hope warred in her chest. When she reached home, each step toward the door felt like it carried everything she had left unsaid. She flung the door open, expecting to find him inside.

Nothing.

The house was empty.

Her breath came in short, panicked bursts as she moved through the rooms, searching for any sign of him.

No clothes tossed on the chair. No shoes by the door.

No half-finished drink on the counter. The floorboards creaked under her hurried steps, the echo of her own movement making the silence feel even heavier.

Afaint scent of leather and spice lingered in the air, but it was fading, vanishing as if taking him with it.

Jazz snatched a deep breath, desperate to hold onto the last trace of him, but it was already slipping away.

Her chest tightened, the emptiness of the house pressing in around her like a weight she couldn’t shake.

Just silence.

And then her phone vibrated in herhand.

A new text. Fromhim.

Go to the airport. My plane is waiting.

The choice is yours.

Jazz didn’t hesitate.

She didn’t pack.

She ran for the plane.

THE FLIGHT seemed endless. The low hum of the engines vibrated through the cabin, asteady rhythm that did nothing to calm the tension constricting her.

Her muscles ached from sitting too long, her fingers tightening restlessly in her lap as she stared at the vast expanse of clouds below.

Every passing moment stretched unbearably, anticipation and uncertainty warring insideher.

Titus had planned this—every move, every deliberate risk, every downfall. He was always ahead of the game, orchestrating every detail with ruthless precision. It should have unsettled her, how easily he had bent the world to his will, but instead, it reassuredher.

He had done this for them—for her. He had made sure they would be safe.

And for the first time in days, she allowed herself to believe it.

She pressed a hand to her stomach, drawing in a deep breath.

Her heart pounded, not just with uncertainty, but with something deeper.

Anticipation. Fear. Love. Whatever awaited her, she had made her choice, and there was no turning backnow.

The plane finally touched down, and as Jazz peered out the window, the view stole her breath.

An island paradise unfolded before her—turquoise waters stretching to the horizon, pristine beaches framed by lush green cliffs, and endless blue sky meeting the ocean in a perfect, seamless line.

As she descended the steps, the heat of the sun kissed her skin, the scent of salt and blooming tropical flowers filling theair.

A sleek black limo awaited her at the base of the tarmac, its doors held open by a silent, efficient driver. Without a word, she climbed inside, the cool leather interior offering a momentary reprieve from the intensity of her thoughts.

The drive was mesmerizing. Palm trees swayed lazily in the breeze, gardens overflowing with vibrant flowers lined the winding roads, and glimpses of hidden coves and white sand beaches flashed between the towering cliffs. It felt surreal, like stepping into a dream.

As the limo pulled up to a breathtaking estate, her pulse quickened.

White-washed walls gleamed under the afternoon sun, cascading terraces and infinity pools stretching toward the sea.

Endless glass windows reflected the golden light, capturing the sheer luxury of the place.

It was breathtaking, yet secluded—aworld apart, untouched by anything beyond this island.

The moment she stepped inside, the air itself seemed to shift. Aprickle of awareness hit her, her pulse quickening as an unmistakable presence filled the space around her. It was an energy, aheat, apull so strong she felt it in her bones before her gaze foundhim.

Titus .

He stood at the center of the grand open space, barefoot, dressed in linen pants and an unbuttoned white shirt, his dark gaze locked onto hers.

The sight of him sent a shiver through her, arush of emotions so strong it nearly buckled her knees.

Her heart clenched painfully, the sheer force of her longing breaking through the uncertainty.

Without hesitation, she ran to him, throwing herself into hisarms.

His hands caught her effortlessly, his grip strong, unyielding.

She buried her face against his neck, inhaling his scent—warm, masculine, familiar.

Safe. For a moment, she just held on, the stress of the past few weeks crashing over her.

Then his lips found hers, and everything else faded away.

The world outside ceased to exist. Whatever had happened, whatever lay ahead, none of it mattered in this moment.

Titus lifted her into his arms. Jazz let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding, her arms tightening around his neck. Arush of relief flooded through her, washing away the last traces of uncertainty.