Dante's Angel

by Laurie Roma

  God, he loved her.

  “I needed to talk to him to help me put things in perspective. You know that I always talk things over with my pops.”

  “I know. But damn it, Dante—”

  “Listen. I just posed a hypothetical situation to him and asked him what he thought, but he figured out it was about you and demanded an explanation,” he hurried to explain. “My father loves you, Zoe. He wouldn’t do anything to hurt you and won’t say anything. I promise. He wants to help.”

  “How can he?” Zoe glared at him as she pulled back to wipe at her cheeks. “You had no right to tell him without talking to me first.”

  “I know, and I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I should have. But I wanted to talk to him about a plan I came up with to see if it was doable before I talked to you about it and got your hopes up.”

  Zoe blew out a deep breath as she tried to control her temper.

  She knew Dante and his father were close, but damn it, he should have talked to her before he went to his father. Logic told her that Malcolm Fox had a right to know that she wasn’t who she said she was, especially if his son wanted to marry her, but she was still pissed. Dante knew better, and she wasn’t going to let him get away with his protective, caveman bullshit. If she married him, they were going to have a real partnership. He couldn’t just do whatever the hell he wanted to without dealing with the consequences.

  And it was time that she let him know it.

  Zoe surprised him when she made a fist and thumped it hard against his chest. The impact made her hand hurt with a satisfying ache.

  “Ow! Damn it, Zoe. That hurt!”

  “Good. You deserved it…you jackass. Now, tell me about the plan.”

  * * * *

  Zoe was claiming her life back.

  Dante hadn’t realized just how nervous he was about it until he surveyed the people gathered in his living room for the meeting they’d called that afternoon.

  The bar was closed today, but he knew that everyone else had busy lives of their own and couldn’t afford to spend the day chatting it up at his house. Still, when he’d called them and told them he needed help, no one had hesitated to drop everything and come.

  They had all congratulated them on their engagement after noticing the ring on Zoe’s finger, but no one had seemed surprised. They were still waiting on Malcolm Fox and one other person to arrive, and he was glad that there was an unspoken agreement from the group not to ask questions about why they were there until everyone had arrived.

  Hunter sat on one of the couches talking with Nikita and Sam, while Hammer was discussing some issue with Hunter’s father, Tony, and Sheriff Storm Wyatt in the kitchen as they hovered near the box of baked goods that Hammer snagged from Kali before coming over.

  Dante glanced over to where Brix was speaking with Zoe, grateful that the big man was distracting her with how his meeting with the gallery in Houston had gone the previous day. Dante had figured that he and Brix could take care of letting the others from the bar know what was going on later, and Hammer could decide whom from his own crew he would inform.

  It wasn’t a matter of whether or not their friends would help them. No, that wasn’t what had Dante on edge. He had no doubt that everyone in Breakers would do what they could to help Zoe. What hadn’t occurred to Dante before this moment was that Zoe could possibly leave him once she was freed from the nightmare that was haunting her.

  It was a selfish thought, but hell, he’d never claimed to be a saint.

  On impulse, Dante headed toward her, needing to touch her, to calm down before he made himself crazy with thoughts of losing her. He’d only taken two steps when he heard the sound of a Harley pulling down the driveway. A few seconds later, the front door opened and Daryk “Dare” Nyght walked in wearing a pair of hospital scrubs.

  Dare had been an Army trauma surgeon when Dante had met him. He hadn’t seen him for a few years until Dare had come to Breakers a few months ago to visit Hammer, since he was one of the partners that owned Fight Hard. Dare hadn’t been planning to stay in town, but all that had changed when he’d fallen in love with Evie Beaumont.

  Women certainly did have a way of changing a man’s plans.

  Now, Dare worked at Evie’s rescue center with her, but he’d also started putting time in at the hospital in town. He didn’t work too many hours because—surprisingly enough—he enjoyed working at the animal shelter with Evie, but the hospital staff knew they could call him in if there was an emergency.

  “Sorry I’m late. I wasn’t on call today, but a man had an accident with a weed whacker this morning when he was doing some yard work. I managed to save his toes, but I think he’s learned not to get distracted by female joggers when he’s holding a machine in his hands.”

  “Ouch,” Sam said with a wince.

  Dare grinned at her. “It was a valuable lesson.”

  “So, what’s with the scrubs?” Hammer asked. “I thought you hated wearing those out of the hospital.”

  Dare grimaced as he looked down at himself. “I arrived at the same time the ambulance got to the hospital, and some idiot intern messed with the dressing as I walked up to inspect the injury. Blood spurted out everywhere.”

  Tony made a disgusted noise, then said, “Did you bring your clothes home? Maddy can get the blood out,” he said, talking about his wife. “Not that she’s going to want to touch them, but you’re better off taking them to her rather than to Evie…because that girl will just burn them.”

  “I know,” Dare laughed. “One of the nurses was kind enough to offer. She’s had plenty of practice getting blood out of clothing. I’m damn glad, because I really like those jeans.”

  “Salt water and toothpaste or meat tenderizer would work.” When everyone in the room turned to Nikita, she just shrugged. “What? I know things.”

  “You know very strange things,” Sam commented.

  “Thanks for coming,” Dante said to Dare. “We’re just waiting on my dad.”

  Dare nodded, then his eyes widened as he looked toward the kitchen. “Hey, are there brownies in there? Later.”

  Dante shook his head as Dare pushed past Hammer and Tony to get at the bakery box. Turning, he started over to Zoe again when he heard the sound of a car pulling into the drive. He walked over to the front door and his eyes narrowed when he saw there was a passenger sitting in his father’s truck. Both men got out and Malcolm lifted several pizza boxes out of the bed before walking toward the house. When the other man rounded the side of the truck and came into view, Dante swore viciously.

  “What is it?” Zoe asked, hurrying over to him.

  Her gaze followed Dante’s and she let out a startled gasp. The front door opened and Malcolm shoved the huge pizza boxes into Dante’s hands as soon as he walked in.

  “Thought we could eat.”

  The other man that walked in was older, but age hadn’t affected his solid frame. He took off his Stetson, showing off a full head of thick salt and peppered hair. Dark-green eyes warmed as they zeroed in on Zoe, and when he spoke, he had a deep voice that sounded like he’d gargled with serrated glass. “Hey there, little lady.”

  Zoe flung herself at Jessup Carter, who welcomed her with open arms.

  Chapter Eleven

  “What the hell, Dad?”

  Malcolm’s eyes narrowed as he turned toward Dante. “Watch that tone, Son. Don’t make me slap you upside your head in front of everyone.”

  Dante ignored the threat. “Why didn’t you tell me you invited Jessup?”

  “Because I didn’t know he was coming until he showed up.” Malcolm shifted so he could watch his friend holding Zoe as a father would a long lost daughter. It warmed his heart, and made him damn glad that he’d sent a message to Jessup using another one of their friends. Zoe’s situation was dire, and they needed all the help they could get to put a wall of protection around her so no one could get to her.

  When Jessup Carter had shown up at his doorstep this morning, he’d b
een caught off guard. Malcolm’s message had been simple enough, using a code that only he and his friends understood to say that he wanted Jessup to get in touch, but he’d never expected Jessup to drop everything and head straight to Breakers.

  Whatever her real name was didn’t matter to Malcolm. She owned his son’s heart, and that was enough for him to do whatever it took to keep her safe. Not to mention, one day—hopefully soon—she would give him grandkids. That thought had a grin spreading over Malcolm’s face, which only grew wider as Dante stared at him incredulously.

  “What the hell are you grinning at?”

  “I’m just a cheerful guy,” Malcolm said, earning a snort of derision from his son.

  With his arm around Zoe’s shoulders, Jessup Carter smiled at Dante. “Surprised to see me, young Fox?”

  “Shit,” was Dante’s reply to the nickname all of his father’s old friends called him. Jessup laughed, but Dante wasn’t in the mood to be amused. He shoved the pizza boxes back at his father, then jerked Zoe away from the older man to hold her close to his side. “Did you take precautions coming here?”

  Jessup nodded, sobering. “Yep. I got Malcolm’s message yesterday, and I immediately flew down to Oklahoma to have a nice visit with a friend there. This morning, he had an associate fly me down to Houston in a private plane, then I drove here. I’m not on the flight manifest and I paid cash for the car, so I doubt anyone can track me here.”

  “But why did you come?” Zoe asked. “You know it’s dangerous for you to be anywhere around me.”

  “If we’re going to talk about this, we might as well sit down and eat.” Malcolm shoved the pizza boxes back at Dante, who took them into the living room. While everyone took their seats, Malcolm reached out and wrapped his arms around Zoe. “Welcome to the family, sweetheart.”

  “Thank you, Malcolm,” she whispered as she hugged him back.

  Hammer grabbed the stack of napkins and paper plates that Zoe had set near the bakery box in the kitchen and carried them into the room with him. “So, does someone want to fill us in?”

  Dante sat down on one of the leather chairs and pulled Zoe onto his lap. “Do you want to eat something first, angel?”

  Zoe shook her head as she curled into his hard body. She found comfort and security in his arms that she’d need to get through this. “I don’t think I can.” Gathering her courage, she looked over at the group of people devouring pizza and said, “Thank you for coming today. I know I have no right to ask for your help, especially after I’ve been lying to all of you.”

  Sam chewed thoughtfully on a slice of pizza, then said, “Depends on what the lie is.”

  Holding on to Dante’s hand, Zoe began to explain. “My real name isn’t Zoe…”

  The group listened intently to her story, no one saying a word to interrupt. When her voice waivered as she began to explain what happened on the night Paul Wei had broken into her apartment, Dante took over telling the story. Even thought he tried to give the details clearly and concisely, his voice was harsh with barely restrained rage.

  Dante noticed that as he told the story, everyone seemed to lose their appetite. Zoe took over explaining how her friend had been murdered and how she’d made contact with Jessup. Dante was proud of how she held herself together as she finished out the tale. When she was done, they waited for everyone’s reactions, but the room was as silent as a tomb.

  “Well, holy fucking shit,” Hammer finally said after a long minute.

  “Yeah, what he said,” Sam murmured.

  Sheriff Storm Wyatt leaned forward, bracing his elbows on his knees. Dante and Storm had been friends since childhood, even though Storm was a few years older. Usually, it was difficult to tell the stoic man’s mood, but the anger in his dark eyes made it clear he wasn’t pleased. “Hell, Zoe. You should have known you could come to me with this. Maybe not at first, but as you got to know me, you damn well should have known I would have helped you.”

  Before she could reply, Dante barked out, “Fuck that, Wyatt. She trusted the Marshals, and look where that got her. You can’t blame her for being cautious, so watch how you fucking come at her.”

  Zoe touched his arm lightly, and she felt the tension slowly ease under her hand. Dante might be a loving, gentle man with her, but he was also a hard-bodied bad-ass who would protect her fiercely, even if it meant going up against a friend.

  Storm held up his hand in a conciliatory gesture. “I’m sorry, Zoe. I didn’t mean to make this harder for you. I just want you to know that the Breakers’ Sheriff’s Office and Police Department will help keep you safe.”

  “We’ve come up with a plan to lure Paul Wei out of hiding,” Dante added. “We figured we’d have a better chance of controlling the situation if we did it here in Breakers, but we’re going to need your help to do it.”

  “Of course we’ll help, but am I missing something? Riddle me this…why would this asshole come out of hiding to get to you if he’s safe somewhere?” Sam asked. “He’s wanted for murder. Coming after you would just be stupid at this point.”

  “Because assholes don’t need reasons to be assholes?” Brix queried.

  “True, but the only thing that motivates someone like Paul Wei is money. Maybe he needs cash. Could he be after your violin?” Nikita asked.

  “Why would he want her violin?” Hammer asked.

  “Because it’s a Stradivarius,” Nikita replied, earning a glare from Dante.

  “How the hell did you know that?”

  She shrugged. “It was in the background check I did on her. It’s insured.”

  “You did a…” Storm shook his head. “I don’t even want to know.”

  “Time out,” Sam said. “You have a fucking Stradivarius? Even I’ve heard of those. Isn’t that worth millions?”

  “The Stradivari family made many instruments during the 17th and 18th centuries. One of the most famous is the “Lady Blunt” violin, which sold at auction for approximately fifteen and a half million dollars a few years ago. Another famous viola was put on auction for forty-five million, but it didn’t sell. There are a lot of Stradivari instruments that aren’t worth anywhere near that. Mine is only estimated at about a quarter of a million.”

  “A quarter—” Dare choked out. He shot Dante a look. “Brother, we are gonna have to get you a new security system out here, or you need to put that thing in a vault.”

  “Trust me, I know.”

  Zoe wanted to roll her eyes at Dante when he glared at her. They’d had an argument about this last night, and she knew he was going to keep giving her grief until she locked her violin away safely.

  “Don’t you think I would be under more scrutiny if I visited a bank vault every time I wanted to play?” Zoe argued. “Besides, I don’t think Paul Wei’s after my violin since selling an instrument like this is extremely difficult, even on the black market.”

  “But it’s a possibility,” Tony Savante countered. “The Wei family has connections all over the world. And if what you say is true, a lot of those aren’t people who would blink an eye at theft and murder to get what they want.”

  Zoe nodded slowly. “Yes, but the music world is smaller than you think, and the classical community is even smaller than that. There’ve been instruments stolen or lost over the years, but the majority of those have been found quickly. If someone has bid or researched an item like a rare violin, they would be one of the first the authorities would look at if one goes missing, and insurance companies don’t let these things go lightly.”

  “What happens to the violin if you die?” Hunter asked. When Dante rounded on him, he hurried to say, “Don’t bite my damn head off, the question has to be asked.”

  “My parents bought me the violin when I was thirteen. We’ve set up a trust so that if I couldn’t play anymore, it would be loaned out to the New York Philharmonic to use, but it would still belong to me. If I die, it goes directly to the Philharmonic on permanent loan unless I change the terms of my will.”


  “So, what’s the end game, honey?” Malcolm asked gently. “What do you want out of this?”

  “I want my life back.” The words burst out of Zoe more vehemently than she’d expected. “I’m tired of always looking over my shoulder, waiting to see if Paul will find me. Maybe it’s a Chinese cultural thing, but Paul won’t let this go. I’ve embarrassed him and his family, and now he’s on the run and he blames me. It’s a matter of honor. He won’t stop until he finds me.”

  “If he really wanted to do the honorable thing, he wouldn’t be selling stolen shit on the black market, just saying,” Brix muttered.

  “I didn’t say it made sense,” Zoe said sadly. “I just want to live my life in peace, without putting the people I love in danger.”

  She cast a quick glance at Dante, and she knew he could see the fear in her eyes. She was terrified that something would happen to him, and to the friends that were gathered in the room with them.

  “We’ll get this done,” Dante assured her quietly. “Then we can get busy making a friend for Hammer and Kali’s kid to play with.”

  Her laugh was slightly hysterical. “I thought you were kidding about that.”

  “Nope, I’m dead serious.”

  Dante felt her trembling as he leaned in and kiss her lightly. When he pulled back, he saw his father grinning at them. The rest of the people in the room either nodded in approval or smiled in return…all except Jessup.

  “I hope by that ring on her finger you plan to marry her first,” Jessup warned. “I’m pretty fond of that little lady, and want to make sure you intend to do right by her.”

  “She’s agreed to marry me. And I plan to as soon as we get this other shit settled.”

  “Right then.” Malcolm clapped his hands together. “Let’s take down this asshole so I can get my grandbabies.”

  Zoe blushed. Feeling slightly dazed, she didn’t know what to say, so she decided not to comment on the matter. She did want children with Dante, but she couldn’t even think about that until she knew that it would be safe.