Dante's Redemption

by Jaime Whitley

  “Let’s hurry up and eat so we can get out of here. I suddenly remembered what I forgot.”

  “Oh yeah? What’s that?”

  “My panties.” She’s grinning like a cat that just ate a canary.

  “I’m done eating. Let’s get you out of here and to a hotel.” Holding my hand up, I signal to the waiter for my bill. We finish paying and abruptly make our departure. Praying the other patrons can’t read the story my trousers are portraying.

  “Hotel?”

  “Well since you can’t seem to be quiet enough, I’ll have to take you there to do all the things I’ve been waiting to do to you since seeing you in that dress.”

  “Oh my god! Please don’t tell me everyone heard us.” Covering her eyes with her hands she hides her embarrassment.

  “Let’s just say Joe wasn’t a happy camper this morning. The plans I have for you tonight are going to make you scream and I don’t want you holding back on anyone’s account.” If all goes as planned, the whole floor of our hotel will know my name.

  Thankfully, the restaurant is next to the hotel, I slide my arm around her waist and pull her into my side. Leaning over, I place a kiss on her neck. The soft moan sets off fireworks through my body and I hurry her along through the glass doors. Checking us in was a challenge because Ava keeps sliding her hands up and down my cock over my pants.

  When I get her off the elevator, I pin her to the wall, kissing her senseless. Grinding up against her, I can barely contain myself. A door opening next to us pulls us apart. We start laughing when the elderly couple gasps at the sight of us. Finally getting to our room, I barely let the door shut before I grab her by waist and pull her into me again. Grabbing her by the ass I pull up, encouraging her to wrap her legs around my waist. I push her up against the wall and kiss along her neck, down to her cleavage. Managing to get the bottom of her dress pushed up, I pull open the fly of my pants and slam in to her, catching her off guard. She screams out in ecstasy, not trying to keep quiet this time.

  “Ava, this is going to be quick and hard, baby. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”

  “Shut up, Dante, and fuck me.”

  Pounding her harder, I release into her and she follows me over the edge. Letting my head fall into the crook of her neck, it takes a while for our breathing to return to normal. Placing a few light kisses onto her skin, “I’m sorry, Ava.”

  We pull apart and she looks at me with confusion in her eyes. “I wanted to make tonight special and we just ended up doing the exact same thing we always do.”

  “Dante, we have all night.” She smiles wickedly before kissing me senseless.

  I pull her into me, walking her to the bed. This time will be all about her. Ava is on the bed. Her black hair splays across the white bed linens. Her smile is as bright as the sun. My heart beats wildly in my chest.

  Her heartbeat is fast. I can see it beating through the material of her dress. Slowly, I kneel next to her, beginning to remove her dress, leaving kisses in the wake of the material. When it is fully removed, she lay before me gloriously naked. She is imperfectly perfect and God help me, I can’t get enough.

  “God, you’re beautiful.”

  A blush rises on her cheeks and she squirms under my glare. I lower myself to the floor and hook her legs over my shoulders. Grabbing her by the hips, I pull her toward me. Slowly, I lick her, tasting our combined juices. The exotic taste fires me into a madman; I begin licking, biting, and sucking her until she screams out my name. She writhes beneath me, pulling and tugging on the sheets. I lighten up and let her come back down from her high, just enough so I can undress. Before her ecstasy comes to an end, I slide into her one more time. Pushing in until I am posed so deep inside of her, I feel as though we are one. One hand strokes her cheek, urging her to look me in the eye. Our gazes meet and the intensity causes her to tear up. We continue to move together in unison. The feeling is so great that our orgasms both peak together.

  Keeping her body close to me, I can’t let go, I never want to let go.

  As we lay in bed, I stoke her hair as her head is resting on my chest. I use my other hand that is wrapped around her body and make circles on her shoulder. Her breathing is slow and steady as she relaxes against me. In this moment, there is nowhere I would rather be. I know this is it for me and my life feels complete. I never felt like anything was missing and that I already had it all. Now I know, that wasn’t the case and I’m ready to fix that.

  My throat starts to dry up as what could only be called insanity enters my mind. Lifting Ava up, I push myself up against the back of the bed and pull her back into my chest. “Can I ask you a question?”

  “If you’re going to try and get anal out of me, don’t bother trying, that is an exit only hole.” She reaches her hand under me poking my butt causing me to flinch as I grab her arm.

  “I’m being serious.” I kiss the back of her hand.

  “Okay, sorry. Go head ask away.” She locks our fingers together. Her soft hands fit perfectly in mine.

  “Are you happy?” Her hand squeezes in mine after I ask her.

  “That’s a very open-ended question. Are you asking if I’m happy right now? With my job or something else?”

  Suddenly feeling like this was a bad idea, I gently pick her up, moving her aside and get off the bed and to head toward the bathroom. “Never mind, forget I asked.”

  “No.” She follows right behind me. I’m struck by the tone in her voice.

  “No?” My face scrunches in confusion.

  “No. You don’t get to ask me a question and then get all closed off before I can even answer it.” She leans over the tub in our bathroom suite and starts the water, adding some bubbles that are resting on the side. She smiles and grabs my hands. Walking into my embrace, her hands rest at the top of my butt and her thumbs stroke the skin of my back. Her eyes look up into mine, “To answer your question, yes I’m happy. I’ve been happier these past few months, though, spending my free time with you.” She nudges her arm into mine, smiling. Letting out a sigh of relief, I place my lips gently on her forehead and let them linger for a moment before I pull back to stare at her in the eyes once again. I can see she is telling me the truth because the smile is lighting up the hot coco brown eyes, making them sparkle gold like chocolate diamonds brighter than ever. I step in the tub and guide her in with me. As we sit, I pull her into my chest as the sound of the bubbles sizzle around us. A few minutes pass as we sit in silence, relaxing in the hot water. Tilting my head forward, I see Ava has her eyes closed as I brush water up her body. Feeling like there is no better time than now, I take a deep breath and for once put myself out there.

  “Marry me.” My words come out in a stutter as I fumble over them. The doubt and fear of putting myself out there is breaking through my voice and I sound like a damn pussy.

  “Mmm, what was that?” Relieved that she didn’t hear the tremble in my words, I ask again with more confidence in my voice.

  “Marry me, Ava.” Her eyes pop open as she turns to me.

  “Dante.” I put my finger over her lips to quiet her.

  “I know it’s not the most romantic proposal, but just hear me out.” Staring into her eyes I slowly remove my finger from her lips. Pulling her bottom lip into her mouth, she remains hushed. “I’ve never been the romantic type. Hell, I never even considered the thought of a relationship before you. But you changed all that. You changed me. You have made me realize that it’s okay to open up to people and let them in.” I grab her hand in mine. “I thought my life was full and complete but you came storming in like a tornado and turned my world upside down. You’ve made me realize that I don’t have it all, not even close to it. But I want the world, Ava. I want you by my side as we take it on together. I think you know you’re already mine and I finally figured out what I’m sure you’ve known all long. You own me, Ava. My heart, soul and body. It’s all yours. You stole my heart and I want you steal my last name. So what do you say? Do you want to have my ba
bies one day and chase our grandchildren around with brooms when we’re old?” She is completely quiet the whole time I’m talking until the last part. She lets out a little chuckle at the broom part and then her face goes blank. I’m starting to feel like the bathroom walls are closing in on me as we soak in the tub. She turns her body and straddles me in the tub.

  “Yes.” As soon as she speaks, I knew it was a bad idea. She thinks I’m crazy and I’m sure it’s going to be any minute now she jumps out of the tub and runs for the hills. Then her words dawn on me.

  “Wait, did you say?”

  “Yes.” She cuts me off, placing her hands on my cheeks. Pulling her lips into mine, she slides her tongue across them and I open my mouth allowing her access. I deepen the kiss and pull away for a moment to make sure this is real.

  “We’re getting married.” I state as I feel my smile widen.

  “We are. But don’t think this gains you back door entry or anything. That’s still a no go.” I laugh and hold my fingers up.

  “I will never ask for back door access. Boy Scouts honor.” As I hold my fingers up, I realize I don’t even have a ring. “I know I don’t have a ring, but I will get you one. I know you won’t be able to wear it while undercover, but I still would like you to have one.”

  “Dante. You proposed to me without a ring and I said yes. That should tell you that I don’t need one. Your love is enough.”

  “I got it!” I say jumping out of the tub running to the bedroom. I go to the bag and pull out what I’m looking for and head back into the bathroom where Ava is still soaking. Placing the item on the sink, I hold out my hand. She places hers in mine and I help her out of the tub. After drying her off, I reach over to the sink and grab the sweatshirt. Bending down on one knee, I grab her hand and hold up my Giant’s sweatshirt with the other hand. “Ava,” “There is no one else I would rather spend the rest of my life with now that I know I want someone by my side. Would you do me the honor of being the first and last person to ever drug me and handcuff me to a bed?” I smirk at her.

  “So you’re proposing to me with a New York Giants sweatshirt?”

  “It’s not just a sweatshirt but my lucky one. How can you say no to that?”

  She takes the sweatshirt, placing it over her head. “ I already knew I was the luckiest girl, I guess this just proves it.” She winks.

  The weekend is over and though it was relaxing, I find myself built up with stress waking up in my place this morning without Ava next to me. I really got used to having her with me. Something I need to rectify soon, now that we are engaged. Also, knowing Riggs’s job is on the line has my stomach twisting, I now find myself second guessing how everything needs to play out.

  Last night after dropping Ava off at her place, I called Sylva and told him I needed to send a message to Michael. I wanted it untraceable and done right so no one knew it came from me. He stammered when I told him because he wasn’t filled in that I knew who the mole was. Sylva said he would take care of it and gave me a location and time to meet. I can’t figure out for the life of me why he would turn on his father. I need answers because this information doesn’t sit well with me. Although he makes a great source, there’s always room for error. My main concern is that he’s going to get cold feet and blow my cover, not wanting to cross his father.

  This morning I’m sitting on a log in the woods, waiting for Michael to come. I have a list of questions I need him to answer and I need to know I can trust him one hundred percent. When I told Sylva to make sure the location was isolated, I didn’t expect him to pick the middle of the damn woods. It’s quiet as hell and I feel like Dorothy in the Wizard Of Oz, fearing lions, tigers, and bears. He could have at least told me to bring a shotgun. You get what you ask for, I guess. I wanted a secluded area and boy did I get one. Bored out of my mind, I pull out my phone and shoot a quick text to Ava. The sound of branches breaking alerts me that someone is headed my way. Whether that someone is a person or animal is the question. Placing the phone in my pocket, I stand up and hover my hand over my pistol just in case. As the noise gets closer, I see Sylva’s head peek over the hill with Michael walking next to him in handcuffs and arguing with Sylva.

  “You know, you can’t just pull someone over, cuff them, throw them in the back of your car and drag them out to the woods? I’m pretty sure this is illegal.” Michael trips over a branch and Sylva catches him by his arm. “For the love of God, could you at least uncuff me so I can break my damn fall.” Sylva ignores him and smirks at me.

  “I see you found the place okay?” Sylva says as he reaches into his pocket, pulling out the keys to the cuffs.

  “You mean the woods? Yeah, I found it. Why the hell did you send me into the middle of nowhere?”

  “I didn’t. Follow me.” We all walk east and follow Sylva until a cabin comes into view. Michael keeps looking over to me. He’s nervous and that makes me uneasy.

  “Welcome to my private getaway.” Sylvia beams when we reach a log cabin that has an assortment of flowers around the front of the house. There’s a wraparound porch that has a couple of rocking chairs on it that rock slightly as the wind blows.

  “Nice flowers.” I joke. “I didn’t peg you for a gardener.”

  “Shut up, man. They’re my wife’s.” Unlocking the door, he swings it open and we step into the cabin. The walls are decorated with stuffed animal heads, which I’m assuming he hunted. The couches look like they’ve seen better days and the backs are covered with flannel blankets. “The kitchen is through there.” He points straight ahead. “Help yourself and just shoot me a text when you’re done.”

  “And where are you going to be?”

  “I have a tree stand a couple miles away. I’ll just hang out up there until you’re done.”

  “Of course you do.” I tell him as he walks out the door, waving his hand in the air. I knew Sylva liked to hunt, but I didn’t know he had all this shit to go along with it.

  Walking into the kitchen, I open the fridge and grab two bottles of water. As I come back out into what I would call the trophy room, Michael is still standing with his arms crossed against his chest. Walking over, I reach out my arm to hand him a water. He stares at me for a moment before taking it.

  “Care to sit?” I take a seat on the empty couch, and to my surprise it is probably the most comfortable couch I’ve ever sat in.

  “I prefer to stand.” Michael’s body remains stiff as he glares at me. “Would you mind telling me what this is all about?”

  “Sorry about Sylva. I needed to get you somewhere private without anyone knowing. I assume you know who I am?” Opening the water, I bring it to my lips and take a sip from the bottle. Michael finally gives in and walks over to the couch across from me and sits.

  “I do and obviously you know who I am. Although, what I don’t understand is why you dragged me out here. So why am I here?” He places the water on the wood coffee table.

  “That’s a great question. You seem like the kind of guy I can be straightforward with. You’re here because I don’t know if I can trust you.”

  Michael laughs. “Trust me? I’m the one helping you out, giving you all the information you need so you can conduct your police business. Why wouldn’t you trust me?” Michael has a pinched expression as he lets out an exaggerated sigh.

  Sitting up, I rest my elbows on my knees and lean forward on them. “Here’s what I see. I see a son betraying his father, but I don’t understand why.” I think of Joe and how I could never even begin to think of ever betraying him. “That decision couldn’t have come easily. My concerns lie with your conscience.”

  “My conscience is clear, and contrary to what you believe, the decision was easier than you would think. I know my father is a poor excuse for a human being and I know the things he is capable of doing. Shit, he conducts his business meetings in my fucking restaurant. I run an honest business and don’t make my money off blood money. I work my ass off to keep that restaurant up and running.”


  “So why do you let your father hold his meetings there?”

  He gets visibly upset and bangs his fist on the table. “I don’t let my father do anything. You should know by now he does whatever he wants and doesn’t ask for anyone’s permission.”

  I don’t flinch. “Fair enough. So what made you wake up one day and decide to come to us?” There’s a long pause on his end as he shifts in his seat.

  “My twin sister is the reason.” Feeling my eyes grow wide, I’m a little taken back by this news.

  “I didn’t know you had a twin.” I answer honestly.

  “Not too many people do and if they do know, they don’t give her the time of day. My father doesn’t want the ‘burden,’ as he calls it, of taking care of her.” I stare at him blankly, not following where he is going with this. “She has MS and her symptoms started to kick in. I’m her only means of support and that restaurant pays for all her medical expenses. After our mother passed due to some other health problems, my dad couldn’t be bothered to help take care of her. He said, and I quote, ‘what’s the point? She’s just going to end up like her mother.’ I would say those words came from a place of grief, but you and I both know that isn’t the case. He is a selfish asshole who only cares about himself.” Michael breaks down in tears. I can tell he is being extremely honest with me and I feel for him. It can’t be easy having to take care of your business and your sick sister all by yourself.

  “So that’s why you’re doing this? For your sister?”

  “Everything I do is for Nicole. I won’t abandon her like my mother and father did.” His voice is raised. Before I can talk again, “Look, I don’t expect you to understand but I ask that you please try. I have never given your boss any reason to doubt me. Surely that’s gotta count for something.”