by Day Leclaire
The Dante Inferno:
Forever Dante: Lucia
The Dante Dynasty Series: Book #11
by
Day Leclaire
USA Today Bestselling Author
Table of Contents
Book Description
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Other Titles by Day Leclaire
A Note from Day Leclaire
Meet Day Leclaire
Dante Family Tree
Book Description
Some blazes, once ignited, can’t be extinguished.
Just one burning touch connects a Dante with his soul mate.
The Inferno … curse or blessing?
One scorching touch connects love child Lucia Moretti with protective bodyguard, Ty Masterson. One passionate night together changes their lives forever. One painful secret will tear them apart and threaten to destroy both their lives.
All love child Lucia Moretti has ever wanted is to share her father’s name. To be a Dante, like her dad. To belong. To feel the burn of The Inferno when she first joins hands with her soul mate. Unfortunately, she no longer believes in fairy tales. Or so she thinks until a protective stranger touches her and The Inferno blazes through her. Too bad he doesn’t feel it, too.
Ty Masterson is hired to protect Lucia when the Dantes are attacked at their spectacular gala. Then tragedy strikes and he must protect Lucia with his life, all the while fighting the passion that explodes between them.
But who is Ty, really? And why does a strange mark appear on his hand . . . and an identical one on Lucia’s? When dire circumstances force them to marry, they face a choice. To honor their marriage vows and accept the blessing of The Inferno . . . or part ways forever and risk its curse.
Note to Readers: Forever Dante: Lucia is the long-anticipated finale, Book #11 in this long-running beloved series. The Dante Inferno: The Dante Dynasty Series, is a contemporary romance series by USA Today bestselling author and eleven-time RITA© (Romance Writers of America) finalist, Day Leclaire. This story features passionate Italian-American heroes, the scorching connection of The Inferno, and a sizzling romance between soul mates.
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Chapter One
“Face it, Gabe. The Inferno doesn’t work. Not for me. My palm is broken or something.” Lucia shook her hand as though she actually hoped it would magically flare to life. Not that it did. Far from it. She laughed, praying her twin brother didn’t detect the heartbreak beneath the sound. “Or maybe I’m the one who’s broken.”
Now that was closer to the truth.
Her brother frowned. “You’re not broken and neither is The Inferno. You just haven’t met the right person, yet.”
“That’s easy for you to say. You did meet the right person.”
Lucia glanced over her shoulder in the direction of her sister-in-law, Kat, who cradled their eight-week-old son, Matteo, in her arms. The two stood at the far end of the hallway on the executive level of Dantes, surrounded by Dante men. Everyone had gathered for a meeting to discuss security for the upcoming gala, including her boss, Primo, the family patriarch. But children and family always came first with them, so Matteo took precedence over the meeting.
Of course, her brother Gabe, along with Kat and Matteo, were all Dantes now, adopted by the family who’d taken them into their hearts once they’d discovered the family black sheep, Dominic, had fathered a son out of wedlock. Gabe had even legally changed his last name to Dante at the request of Dominic’s father, Primo.
He now had both a grandmother and grandfather, four half-brothers, and another four cousins. What none of the Dantes knew was that Gabe had a twin sister, a secret Lucia insisted he keep until she chose whether or not to reveal the truth.
“You can tell them, you know,” he said in an undertone. “They’ll accept you the same way they accepted me.”
She shook her head before he’d even finished speaking. “I’m not ready. I may never be ready.”
“Lucia, how can you not be ready? You’ve wanted to be a Dante your entire life.”
“No,” she whispered, fighting to keep all emotion from her voice.
Something tickled her nerves just then, like a feather-light touch stroking the length of her spine. It distracted her, had her looking around, attempting to locate the source of the disturbance. With a shrug, she returned her attention to her brother.
“Once upon a time I wanted to be a Dante,” she conceded. “That dream died long ago. Fairy tales don’t exist. And only a very few lucky people experience lives that end happily ever after. I’m not one of them. I never have been. To be perfectly honest, I have no interest in ever falling in love again, let alone marrying.”
“I felt the same way,” Gabe retorted, the words filled with a harsh intensity. “Hell, I never bought into all that fairy tale shit our father tried to sell us. Not ever. Not until—”
His gaze shifted toward his wife and everything about him softened. Strengthened. A bright light seared his odd, golden Dante eyes and he dug his thumb into the center of his palm, rubbing at the itch that resulted from The Inferno.
She doubted he even realized it. The itch was part of the Dante myth and mystique, one she’d spent a lifetime wishing she could experience. They called it The Inferno, the intense burning connection a Dante shared with his or her soul mate when they first joined hands.
The burning itch never truly subsided, but lingered from that day onward as a perpetual reminder of their love. It marked them, branded them—not visibly, but on some spiritual level, filling them with a bone-deep knowing, the awareness that this person was the one. Their mate. A love that would last forever and a day. Lucia had spent her entire life longing for The Inferno to strike, until finally, she’d given up hope of it ever happening.
Before Gabe could offer any further argument, a strange awareness teased her senses again, more intensely this time and she fought to stand perfectly still instead of spinning around in a circle and searching for the cause.
She forced herself to focus on her brother and their conversation. They didn’t have much time. Sharing a few private moments with her twin, one that wouldn’t give her away to the Dantes, were few and far between.
“I’m happy for you, Gabe,” she insisted. “I really am. But your fairy tale ending isn’t mine.”
“I was wrong about the Dantes. Wrong about The Inferno.”
She smiled, attempting to inject a hint of lightness into the intensity of the moment. “Did you just say you were wrong? Good Lord. It’s only taken you thirty years to use the “w” word, but I’ve finally lived long enough to hear you admit what I’ve know from the moment we were born.” She waited until he returned her smile before adding, “Face facts, Gabe. What’s right for you isn’t right for me. I’m not a real Dante, and I never will be.”
He challenged her with a single look. “Then why did you go to work for Primo? Why apply for a job with our grandfather if you didn’t still long to be part of the Dante world?”
Her gaze slid away and she toyed with the teardrop necklace Primo had given her as a combination Christmas gift and bonus. The fire diamond flashed with a smoldering brilliance, a painful
echo of The Inferno. Leave it to the Dantes to own the only mines in the world to produce such unique and stunning gemstones, a fitting match for the family blessed—or cursed, depending on who you asked—with The Inferno.
The awareness grew more intense, creating a buzz of excitement. Lucia stiffened, the odd disturbance finally solidifying into a bizarre sort of recognition. She could actually feel his approach. Feel the heated stroke of his gaze on her back, followed by an insistent magnetic tug, one laced with desire.
He’s here.
The words echoed in her heart and mind, and took root. She struggled to resist the irresistible, refusing to turn around or look for the source of the attraction. And yet, every nerve in her body demanded she respond. That she acknowledge a dream she’d longed for as a child and rejected as an adult. A dream she’d put aside, like a beloved toy she’d outgrown.
He’s here. Take him. Make him yours.
She struggled to pick up the thread of her conversation with Gabe, latching onto it with something akin to desperation. “I told you. When I took the job as Primo’s executive assistant, I wanted to get to know our grandfather from a safe distance.”
His mouth compressed. “Which is why you used that bastard’s name you were married to. You knew Primo would have recognized your maiden name.”
“Now neither of us are Morettis.” Saying it aloud filled her with a painful sadness. “I’m Lucia Benedict and you’re Gabriel Dante.”
“I don’t know how you can stand to call yourself Benedict.”
“Andrew’s in the past, Gabe.” She didn’t dare look at her brother. If she did, she’d lose what little remained of her self-control. “You rescued me from him, and I’ll always be grateful.”
“I didn’t rescue you soon enough.” The words escaped, full of pain and regret. “I’m sorry I didn’t come for you in time. Before he—”
“He’s dead now. He can’t hurt me ever again.” It amazed her how calmly she could refer to that hideous year, months full of pain and darkness. She shook off the memories. “This isn’t the time or place to revisit all of that.”
He fought to switch gears, and she smiled sympathetically. Not an easy task. He’d adopted the role of her protector when they were little more than babies. Nothing had changed in all the years since. He glanced toward his wife. Everyone was hugging. Soon they’d head this way, and she needed to put an end to their exchange before anyone thought to question why she and Gabe were indulging in such an intense, private conversation.
She gestured toward the Dantes. “Everyone’s planning for a spectacular gala, remember? New Beginnings. You should join your family now. People are going to wonder why you’re spending so much time with me.”
“First, you are family,” he stated in a steely tone. “And second, I’m not going anywhere until you promise you won’t give up. Not on The Inferno and not on the Dantes.”
Primo glanced their way and she launched into speech. “Fine. I won’t give up.”
But it was a lie and they both knew it. She had given up on The Inferno. It was just a fairy tale. A dream. Wishful thinking, no matter what the Dantes believed. Besides, she wasn’t a Dante and never would be. After her father had abandoned them and her subsequent, disastrous marriage, she wanted nothing more to do with love or commitment. Ever.
Apparently, The Inferno felt the same way, giving up on her, just as she’d given up on it.
“That’s all I need to hear,” Gabe said, apparently deciding to accept her words at face value.
He held out his fist to Lucia, keeping it low and tight against his body so no one would see. He extended his index finger curved to form the shape of a small hook. With a smile, she copied his gesture, linking fingers with him. It was a game the two had played with their mother from the time they were toddlers, their special way to say, “I love you,” whenever the other needed strength or support.
“I’m here if you need me,” he said, leaning in to give her cheek a quick kiss.
I need you, she almost replied, biting back the words at the last instant. He gave her an odd look, as though catching some part of her aborted comment and she forced a reassuring smile to her lips. “Give Kat my love.”
“I will. I guess we’ll have to skip our weekly dinner since the gala is tomorrow.”
“I’ll see you there, instead.”
She’d see him, despite not being able to acknowledge their connection. When he’d become a Dante, she’d lost the ability to claim him as her twin. For some reason, that hurt even more than turning her back on love. She could live without a man in her life.
Deep down, she knew she couldn’t live without family.
She’s here.
The strange words echoed through Ty Masterson, catching him off guard. What the hell? After a momentary hesitation, he followed the group of Dantes down the hallway toward the office of the head honcho.
She’s here. Find her.
He froze, not sure what was happening, but automatically scanning the hallway for trouble. Elegance and beauty surrounded him. People went quietly about their business. Nothing sounded off. Nothing felt off.
Okay, it was official. He was losing it.
After a final, cautious check of the area, he followed the group into the sprawling office of their CEO. Dante males filled the room, including the man he assumed was the family patriarch, Primo Dante. And still some part of him remained on alert, sweeping the room for whatever felt so intensely off.
Then he saw her. A gorgeous woman stood outside the circle of males. The instant his gaze settled on her, the words grew louder, more insistent.
She’s here. Take her. Make her yours.
She remained off to one side, unnaturally still and contained. It was a façade, he recognized in that instant. A shield of protection. The only question, protection against what?
He ignored the men, even though they were the reason he was attending this meeting, and focused on the woman. She inspired the insidious words pulsating through him, taunting his legendary self-control and threatening to rip it to shreds.
Until this moment, he’d have claimed no woman could ever make him lose control. And yet, one look and she called to him like a siren of old, her seductive song drowning out all thought and reason. He took a single step in her direction, then forced himself to freeze. Forced himself to breathe. Forced himself to examine and evaluate. To depend on logic rather than emotion.
He studied her, attempting to determine on a rational level what made her so irresistible. She was a petite woman, compensating for her lack of inches with sky-high heels. What little there was of her packed a deadly punch. She wore a simple cream, long-sleeved dress that dipped in front just enough to reveal a hint of generous cleavage. The silky material flowed downward, hugging each curve, caressing each dip from generous breasts, to narrow waist, to rounded, womanly hips, before screeching to a halt mid-knee in a ta-dah moment, almost as though to say, “And here are the most spectacular legs you’ve ever seen.”
His gaze shifted upward again, analyzing. It was an occupational hazard that had served him well over the years. Protected him. Allowed him to maintain his loner status and depend only on himself.
She’d contained her hair in a ruthlessly tidy bundle at the nape of her neck. But nothing could control the wayward curls that fought to escape and tumble in a chaotic mass down her back. Nor could the rigid hairstyle conceal the unusual color, a glorious mix of every shade of brown, from bronze to streaks of café au lait, then layers of sable blended with a pale flax that matched her dress. He’d never seen anything like it.
What he could see of her face from across the room suggested true beauty. High, arching cheekbones drew attention to unusual teal colored eyes. One moment he swore they were blue, the next green. A trick of the light, no doubt. Her nose was straight and elegant above a firm chin that hinted at stubbornness. But her mouth gave away her true nature, lush and full and begging to be kissed, even when she attempted to compress it into a s
evere line.
She chose that moment to turn slightly toward Primo in response to a question. A single teardrop diamond hanging from her neck, exploded in shards of color, echoing the explosion of desire ripping through him.
Take her now!
Ty almost obeyed the unspoken command. Almost charged across the room to sweep her into his arms and carry her off to a private oasis where he’d strip away every bit of artifice, until only the true woman remained. Maybe he would have if Juice hadn’t chosen that moment to approach, reminding him of his true purpose.
He’d attended this meeting for business, not to seduce a woman. Time to focus on the job, normally an easy task. Today, not so much.
Juice greeted him with a slap on the back that would have felled a lesser man. “Here he is now,” he announced to the room at large, the rumbling bass of his voice overriding all conversation.
In response, one of the Dantes tore himself from the pack and approached. His hitched gait warned of an injury never fully healed. “Luc Dante,” he introduced himself, offering his hand. “COO of Dantes Security and Courier Service. I understand from Juice you’re the best man to guard our most important assets at the upcoming gala.”
Ty acknowledged the compliment with a rare smile, though part of him remained keenly aware of her. “The Dante fire diamonds.”
Luc lifted an eyebrow. “Actually, I was referring to the women who will be wearing the diamonds.”
“Masterson’s the most protective man I know,” Juice interjected. “He won’t let anything happen to his assignment. He’ll protect her with his life.”
Ty gave it to him straight. “Absolutely. My assignment is my top priority. I don’t often assist with this type of work, anymore, but the few jobs I accept, I give my all.”
“Not that I’ve been able to tempt you to accept many. Not now that you’re one of the idle rich,” Juice ribbed.
Ty shook his head. “I can’t take credit for that since it wasn’t my doing.”
“Other than saving that poor boy from a pair of vicious kidnappers. That was all your doing. And his grandfather was very grateful. Left Ty a tidy inheritance when he passed away a few years ago, including a quasi-mansion in Seacliff.” Juice added for Luc’s benefit.