Chapter 6 - The Penthouse
Dante’s penthouse occupied the top two floors of a glass skyscraper overlooking Lake Michigan. It was a masterpiece of dark marble, modern art, and bulletproof glass.
When the private elevator doors opened, Leo dropped his backpack on the floor, his jaw unhinging. “Whoa. Are you Batman?” he asked, looking up at Dante.
For the first time since she met him, Clara saw the corner of Dante’s mouth twitch in genuine amusement. “Something like that,” Dante said. He gestured to a kind-looking older woman in a neat uniform. “This is Maria. She is the housekeeper. She’ll show you to your room. It has a gaming console.”
Leo sprinted after Maria without a second thought, leaving Clara and Dante alone in the sprawling living room.
The silence stretched between them, heavy and thick with unspoken tension. The adrenaline of the courtroom was fading, leaving Clara hyper-aware of the fact that she was now legally bound to a mafia boss.
“He’s safe,” Dante said, walking over to a crystal decanter and pouring two glasses of bourbon. He handed her one. “Drink. You’re shaking.”
Clara took a sip, the liquid burning a path down her throat. “Thank you. For everything. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.”
“You repay me by keeping your end of the bargain,” Dante said, his dark eyes stripping away her defenses. “You are my wife. You will attend galas, host dinners, and smile for the cameras. You will make my enemies believe I have a weakness they can't exploit because it is guarded by steel.”
“Why?” Clara asked, unable to stop herself. “Why not just hire an actress? Why a baker with a custody problem?”
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Dante stepped closer, taking the glass from her hand and setting it on the table. His knuckles brushed her waist, sending a jolt of electricity straight to her core.
“Because an actress is playing a part,” Dante murmured, his gaze dropping to her lips. “You fight like a cornered lioness for the people you love. That is the kind of loyalty I require. And besides…” He paused, his eyes darkening. “I’ve always had a sweet tooth.”
