Dante's Ultimate Gamble

by Day Leclaire

  Davida made a face. “I’m sorry you two are getting divorced. I like him. He’s nice.”

  Katrina held out her hand, gloved palm up. “Finish it, Téa. I know it’s my turn to get cut off.”

  Téa slid the phone the rest of the way across the table. “Not cut off, just cut down to reasonable, although I am canceling this line.”

  “That’s okay. And FYI? You don’t have to worry about me, either. I’ve decided I’m going into the military. That or I’m gonna be a cop.”

  Téa could only stare. “You must be joking,” she finally said.

  “Nope. I’ve gotten to know a lot of cops over the past year.” She shot Madam a nervous glance. “You know. Community service projects.”

  Madam simply narrowed her eyes at her granddaughter and let it pass.

  “Anyway, it got me interested in law enforcement.” Katrina lounged back in her chair and lifted a pierced eyebrow. “So, we done?”

  Madam cleared her throat. “You…you haven’t mentioned me,” she said with heart-wrenching dignity. “You may give me my phone, too, if you wish.”

  Téa hastened to her grandmother’s side and enfolded her in a tight hug. “Never. I’ll always be there for you.” She looked at her sisters and in that moment finally forgave herself for her parents’ death. “I’ll always be there for all of you. But as a sister. As a granddaughter.”

  Madam dabbed at her eyes. “I think that can be arranged.”

  Luc was surprised to discover he enjoyed the hour he spent with Sonya. “I assume Téa arranged this?” he said, taking a not-so-wild guess.

  “Your wife? Yes. Such a lovely woman. She tracked me down and explained that you were still dealing with the aftermath of what happened all those years ago.” Remorse swept across Sonya’s face. “I’m so sorry, Luc. I’d give anything to take back those hideous things I said to you. I was out of my mind with grief.”

  “I understood.” He tossed some money into the billfold the waiter had left and set it to one side. “I never blamed you.”

  Sonya’s mouth twisted. “I’m not so sure. That’s why I jumped at the opportunity to meet with you, so I could thank you.”

  “Thank me?” Of all the things he’d imagined her ever saying to him, this was bottom of the list. Hell, it didn’t even make the list.

  She pushed aside her decaf coffee, picking her words with care. “I was so angry with you, Luc. I wanted to die and you forced me to live. I hated you for that. I even attempted to commit suicide. Did you know?” At his silent nod, she shrugged. “Somehow I’m not surprised. Afterward, much to my amazement, I realized I no longer wanted to die. It took time and a lot of counseling, but I discovered I had a very simple choice. I could open myself up to love again, or continue to live a barren life. When I chose to open up, I found love.” A radiant smile played at the corners of her mouth. “Actually I found my soul mate.”

  “I thought that was Kurt,” Luc said, startled.

  “So did I. I was wrong,” she replied simply. “What I loved about my life with Kurt was being married. What I loved was—” Her voice broke. “My son. I still miss him, Luc. I’ll always miss him. But I can and will honor his memory by moving on and giving him brothers and sisters. He may never know them, but they’ll always know him. I’ll see to that.”

  Luc’s jaw clenched and it took him a minute before he could speak. “I’m glad you made it through. That you found love again.”

  “You can, too.” She leaned forward, speaking with a hushed intensity. “I’m reading between the lines here, but… Don’t make the mistake I almost did. Don’t turn away from life. Take the gamble, Luc, before it passes you by. Everyone experiences heartache. But that’s going to happen whether you’re alone or with someone you love. It’s love that gets you through. Téa strikes me as a woman who can both fill your life with love, and be strong enough to ride out the heartache with you.”

  A short time later, Luc climbed into his car. He didn’t bother to start the engine, but simply sat, mulling over the events of that evening. It occurred to him that when he saved Sonya, he’d given her back her life, but had shut down his own. She was right about a lot of things. He did have a choice. He could continue on as he had before Téa tumbled into his life or he could take a chance. He could open his heart and take the risk.

  He thought about his grandparents and nearly sixty years of profound love and devotion, laughter and tears. It was the same with his parents. With his cousins. Would they avoid love if it meant avoiding the tears? He didn’t even have to think about that one. They’d choose love every time.

  He considered what his life would be like if he moved forward without Téa. Losing her warmth and generosity. Her humor and passion. God help him, her love. And he remembered her murmured declaration on their wedding night and felt something hard and cold begin to loosen and break.

  It was the ultimate gamble. Either he loved Téa and wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, was willing to open himself to her in every possible way. Or he let her go. Watched from afar as she moved on and found someone else to love. Someone else to give all that she’d given him.

  He shook his head. No. No way in hell. As though in reaction, his palm itched and he stared at it. He was an idiot. He’d turned away from the best, most important parts of his life. And why? Because he’d been too much of a coward to take a risk. Well, screw that! It was past time that he took back his life. That he went after what he wanted most.

  And what he wanted most was Téa—the woman he loved with all his heart and soul. His Inferno soul mate.

  Before he could start the engine, his cell phone rang. He checked the caller ID and flipped it open. “What’s up, Nonna?”

  She spoke in rapid-fire Italian. “Your wife is here,” she said without preamble. “You must come. Now.”

  He shot up in his seat. “What’s wrong?”

  “Téa is explaining to Primo why your marriage is a mistake. That he must not interfere in the divorce. What is this talk of a divorce, cucciolo mio?” she demanded. “You have only just married.”

  Hell. “Has Primo taken her apart, yet?”

  “No, no. He is being very patient. Very understanding.” His grandmother sighed. “She is a determined one, though, that wife of yours. Determined to get her head handed to her.”

  “Nonna, I need you to do me a favor.”

  “Anything.”

  “Break out Primo’s homemade beer and stall.” He cut the connection and immediately dialed Sev. “I need you to meet me at the Dante vault. Yes, now. She’s what? Hell. Well, can you meet me on the way to the hospital? You’re damn right it’s an emergency. It’s a matter of life and… And love.”

  Téa blinked owlishly at Primo and waved her bottle of beer at him. So far, her third gift to Luc wasn’t going so well. At this rate, she’d never even up those scales. “So, you understand, right?” she asked hopefully.

  Primo slanted a look in Nonna’s direction, gritted his teeth and said, “Maybe if you explain one more time?”

  “Oh.” She suppressed a burp and lifted a hand to her aching head. “To be honest, I’m not sure I can.”

  “Good. We talk of other things now, yes? How do you like babies?” he asked expansively. “You and Luc will make many good babies. Inferno babies with red Inferno hair, okay?”

  Téa sniffed. For some reason his question had tears welling up in her eyes. “Haven’t you been listening? There aren’t going to be any babies.”

  He leaned back in his chair and grinned. “There are always babies when your husband is a Dante.” He fixed his attention on a spot over her shoulder. “Is this not true, Luciano?”

  “Absolutely, Primo.”

  Téa swung around and almost fell off her chair. “Oh, dear,” she murmured as the room did a slow 360 around her.

  “How many?” Luc asked Nonna with a sigh.

  His grandmother shrugged. “Three or four.”

  “Maybe five,” Primo offered helpfully.

/>   “Damn. I was hoping she’d remember tonight.”

  “I’ll remember tonight,” Téa protested. “Why won’t I remember?”

  Luc tipped her face up to his. “Because, darling wife,” he said, enunciating clearly. “You’re drunk.”

  “Am not.”

  He gave his grandfather a stern look. “Coffee and lots of it. In the meantime…” He swept his wife into his arms. “Let’s hope some fresh air will do the trick. By the way, you might want to give Sev a call. Francesca’s in labor and they’re on their way to the hospital.”

  Téa tipped her head back as Luc carried her into the garden. A dazzling canopy of stars glittered and burned like Dantes legendary fire diamonds. Cool spring air swirled around and over her in soft revitalizing currents. It helped clear her head and she stirred, suddenly aware that she’d somehow ended up where she most longed to be—in Luc’s arms.

  “Where did you come from?” she asked dreamily. “Or am I just imagining you?”

  “Oh, I’m real enough,” he claimed.

  Not that she believed him. Having him here like this was just too good to be true. “This is so nice.” Since he was a dream, she could indulge herself and she scattered her kisses across his bronzed skin, like the stars scattered their dust across the heavens. “We can pretend to still be married and have another glorious wedding night.”

  He smiled with breathtaking tenderness. “We don’t need to pretend. We are still married.”

  “Not for long.”

  “True. Only a half dozen decades or so.”

  She laughed. “Now I know I’m dreaming.”

  He lowered her to a wrought iron bench situated beneath one of Primo’s shade trees. The cold metal brought her surroundings into sharp focus. Luc really was here. And he really was holding her in his arms.

  “Seriously,” she said, her brain slowly coming online. “What are you doing here?”

  “I wanted to thank you for arranging the meeting with Sonya tonight.”

  Sonya? Her brow crinkled. Oh! Sonya. “I was afraid you might be angry with me,” she confessed.

  “Not even a little.”

  “I’m so glad. I asked Juice to help me find her.” She nestled against him, resting her head in the crook of his shoulder, allowing herself this one final indulgence. “How did it go?”

  “She’s remarried, but I guess you knew that.” At Téa’s nod, he added, “And she’s pregnant.”

  Téa looked up at Luc, startled. “Is she really? That’s good, right?”

  “It’s very good. She was…ecstatic.”

  “Pregnant.” Téa frowned. “Wait a minute. Did I hear you tell your grandparents that Francesca was in labor, or was that part of my dream?”

  “It wasn’t a dream. She’s in labor and Sev isn’t very happy with me.”

  “Why ever not?”

  “Because I made him stop off at the Dantes vault on the way to the hospital.”

  “I’m confused,” Téa confessed with a sigh. “And it’s all Primo’s fault.”

  “Nonna’s actually. I told her to feed you beer until I got here.”

  It took all her courage to ask. “Why?”

  “So I could give you this…”

  He held out a small jewelry box and flipped open the lid. Inside was nestled the most beautiful ring she’d ever seen. The band was platinum gold, Billings gold, Téa realized, a type her grandfather had dubbed, Platinum Ice. The band took the shape of two hearts linked together with a magnificent fire diamond set where the hearts joined.

  It took several tries before she could speak. “I don’t understand.”

  “I love you, Téa. And I want a real marriage. A permanent one.”

  “No,” she whispered, shaking her head. “That’s not what you want. You want to be apart. Alone.”

  “I was wrong. I can’t live like that. Not anymore. Not since meeting you.” She watched as he struggled to find the right words, to open himself in a way he never had before. “I can’t promise I’ll be perfect at it. I’ve spent a lot of years holding people at an emotional distance. But for you… I’m willing to give you everything I have. And with luck, we’ll spend the rest of our lives getting it right.”

  “Oh, Luc. I came here to let you go.” She gazed in the direction of the house and fought an onslaught of tears. “But I couldn’t get your grandparents to listen to me. To understand and let you off the hook.”

  “Because they knew you were the one. My Inferno bride.”

  His admission melted her. “Oh, Luc. I love you so much.”

  “And I love you, Téa, more than I ever thought possible. My life would be empty without you and I think I’ve had all the emptiness I can bear.” He slid the ring on her finger. It fit perfectly. But then, he knew it would. It was destiny. “It’s from our new line of eternity rings. It has a name, if you’re interested. It’s actually the reason I chose it.”

  It took her two tries to get the question out. “What’s the name?”

  He lowered his mouth to hers. “Why, Dante’s Inferno, of course.”

  Epilogue

  Nonna touched her wineglass to Madam’s. “Salute.”

  Madam smiled tremulously. “We did it, didn’t we?”

  Nonna eyed Luc and Téa with smug satisfaction. “That we did. Of course, it was your managing to accomplish Step Two that allowed Primo to insist on Step Three.” She released a contented sigh. “And that just leaves Step Four.”

  “Step Four?” Madam’s eyes widened in concern. “What step is this?”

  “Babies. More precious Dante babies. Boys for these two.” Nonna lifted her glass in the direction of her grandson. “But that step I will leave to Luc. I believe he has the matter well in hand.”

  From his position at the kitchen window, Rafe Dante regarded Luc and his bride, Téa, with a cynical smile. They were in Primo’s garden, enjoying the party thrown to celebrate their elopement, and accepting the congratulations of all the well-wishers. Babies abounded: one from Francesca, as well as Kiley’s contribution. Both sons, of course. The two mothers were comparing everything from birthing experiences to feeding schedules. Hell, they were even comparing toes.

  To Rafe’s amusement, Luc looked on, taking an actual interest. Unheard of! But then, his poor brother was the latest victim of The Inferno. Of all the Dantes, Rafe had always figured that he and Luc were the two least likely to ever succumb to the family plague. For some reason, it made him feel fiercely alone. Which was the way he wanted it, right? God knows, Leigh had caused him enough heartache that he never wanted to give another woman that much power over him. But watching his family…

  He deliberately turned away.

  Luc joined him midway through the festivities, taking the tumbler of whiskey Rafe offered. “I hear we’ve been cleared to return to work.”

  “As of today,” Rafe confirmed. “Dantes Courier Service reopens first thing Monday morning. You coming back?”

  “You can’t keep me away.”

  Rafe nodded in satisfaction. “Congratulations, by the way. Téa’s a beautiful woman.” He paid the compliment with complete sincerity. “You’re a lucky man.” Okay, maybe that wasn’t quite as sincere.

  “Yes, I am,” Luc agreed. He fixed Rafe with a speculative eye. “I know you’re one of the unbelievers.”

  “Check mark firmly in that column,” Rafe confirmed.

  “I guess we have Leigh to thank for that.” Luc rested his hip against the kitchen counter. “Tell me something. Did you believe in The Inferno when you first fell in love with her? When the two of you first married?”

  Rafe took a long swallow of his drink. “What makes you think that?”’

  Luc froze. “Wait a sec. You didn’t feel…?” He rubbed his palm.

  “Don’t be ridiculous. Of course not.”

  Luc straightened. “Are you telling me you never felt The Inferno for Leigh?”

  Rafe released an incredulous laugh. “You’re as crazy as the rest of them. Don’t you get
it? There is no Inferno.”

  Luc simply smiled.

  A hint of anger ripped through Rafe. “Don’t. Don’t give me that smug, knowing look. You and the rest of our deluded relatives fell in love. That’s all there is to it. But because of our family’s ridiculous myth, you’re calling this emotion that has you drooling all over your bride The Inferno. Well, I’ve got news for you, brother. It’s illogical. Not to mention messy.” He leaned forward, speaking distinctly. “In my book that means The Inferno doesn’t exist.”

  “I’m sure that explains the itch,” Luc said, straight-faced.

  “That itch is called lust. Now, you want to talk lust?” Rafe downed the rest of his drink. “Happy to oblige. Been there, sated that. Moved on.”

  This time Luc didn’t bother to conceal his grin. “Keep talking, Rafe. And keep telling yourself you’re immune. But I’m giving you fair warning. Clearly Leigh wasn’t the right woman.”

  Rafe lifted an eyebrow. “You think?”

  “You’re missing the point. If Leigh wasn’t the one, that means your Inferno bride’s still out there. And when you find her, you’ll know.” Luc jabbed his index finger against his brother’s chest. “Then we’ll see who has the last itch, pretty boy.”

  ISBN: 978-1-4268-5638-9

  DANTE’S ULTIMATE GAMBLE

  Copyright © 2010 by Day Totton Smith

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the editorial office, Silhouette Books, 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279 U.S.A.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.