C78 Most Dangerous Challenge

Annabelle descended the stairs the next morning with a mask of composure that she had perfected over the years.

The swollen eyes and blotchy cheeks from crying herself to sleep were gone.

It was replaced with a serene, almost regal expression that gave nothing away.

Her hair, freshly brushed and pulled back into a sleek ponytail, glistened in the sunlight filtering through the tall windows.

She wore a fitted grey sweater paired with dark jeans in her usual practical style.

It was her armour.

She hoped no one would see through it that she was using it to hold herself together when everything inside felt like it was falling apart.

She could hear Cathy’s cheerful chatter before she reached the bottom step.

“I’m going to see Mommy today!” her sister exclaimed to Maria, who nodded along indulgently. “And I’ll bring her flowers. Mommy loves flowers! I’ll even pick some for the uncles and aunties here!” Cathy’s bright eyes glanced at the staff, who smiled kindly.

Annabelle lingered at the bottom of the stairs for a moment, taking in her sister’s unbridled excitement.

It tugged at her heart in a bittersweet way.

Cathy was so full of life, so hopeful.

Annabelle prayed she could preserve that innocence just a little longer.

“She deserves to believe the world is kind,” Annabelle thought, swallowing the lump in her throat.

Forcing herself to smile, she stepped forward. “Cathy, don’t go giving all the flowers away now,” she teased lightly.

Cathy grinned. “I’ll save the best ones for Mommy, I promise!”

Annabelle chuckled faintly before turning to Maria. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for Cathy and me.” Her voice was steady, but inside, she felt a pang of sadness.

Maria looked at her with warmth. “You’re welcome, miss. I’ll be waiting for you both to come back.”

Annabelle said nothing as she simply nodded.

She didn’t want to make promises she wasn’t sure she could keep.

One of Dante’s men stepped forward, his presence reminding her of the looming departure. “Miss Whitaker, we’re ready when you are.”

Annabelle straightened, her eyes darting around despite herself.

She told herself she wasn’t looking for Dante, but her heart betrayed her when disappointment briefly flickered in her chest.

“He’s probably glad to be rid of me,” she thought bitterly.

After all, she had thrown his supposed declaration of love back in his face.

She reminded herself that she couldn't wait to get as far away as possible from him.

So, she didn't mind if he sent her off with his men without as much as a backward glance.

He could go hang his fickle love!

And yet, as she stepped toward the door, the ghost of a memory made her pause.

Had she imagined waking up in the middle of the night to the feel of his fingers threading through her hair?

The low murmur of his voice, whispering things she wasn’t ready to hear?

She shook her head, scoffing inwardly. “Fanciful, silly thoughts,” she muttered under her breath.

But then the door opened, and she froze.

There he was, standing tall beside one of the sleek black cars parked in the driveway.

Dante was sharply dressed in a black suit that fit him like a glove, the crisp white shirt beneath making his bronzed skin glow under the morning light.

His dark hair was neatly combed back, and his penetrating eyes immediately locked onto hers.

Annabelle’s heart leapt before crashing immediately.

Standing next to him was a stunning redhead with a leather jacket slung over her shoulders.

She had on a body-hugging, red halter top and a short leather skirt.

The heels of her stiletto were so sharp against the pavement that Annabelle imagined it could easily blind someone.

The woman casually brushed something off Dante’s collar, her manicured hand lingering for just a second too long.

The sight twisted something ugly inside Annabelle.

“Jealous?” a voice whispered in her mind, but she squashed it angrily.

Dante’s gaze didn’t waver.

He said something to the redhead, who nodded briskly before slipping into her hot-red car and driving off.

When he turned back to Annabelle, his expression was unreadable. “We can stand here all morning, but I’d prefer it if you got your ass moving,” he said coolly.

The irritation in his tone reignited her frustration, and she snapped, “I don’t need a babysitter.”

She half-expected him to leave her to his men.

But instead, he grabbed her arm before she could turn away.

His grip was firm but not painful, and his voice was a low command. “You’ll show me some respect in front of my men.”

Her defiance flared. “Or what?”

His expression darkened, a dangerous edge creeping into his voice. “Or I might just take you across my knee and spank you.”

Annabelle’s breath hitched at his words, her mind betraying her with vivid imagery.

The heat pooling in her core made her furious with herself.

“What is wrong with me?” she thought as she tried not to show how much his words affected him.

Dante must have noticed her reaction because his smirk deepened. “Cathy will ride with Angelo,” he continued, “You are coming with me.”

“I’m not…”

“Unless you’d prefer Cathy to see what she shouldn’t,” he interrupted smoothly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Unsure of what he meant but unwilling to test him, Annabelle reluctantly turned to Cathy. “Sweetheart, you’ll ride with Uncle Angelo, okay?”

Cathy’s face lit up. “Really? Yay! Uncle Angel is the best!”

She skipped toward Angelo, who was waiting by another car. Her excitement was so infectious that Annabelle’s heart lightened.

“Mommy’s going to be so happy to see me!”

Annabelle watched her sister with a bittersweet smile. “I’ll do whatever it takes to protect that joy.”

Taking a deep breath, she turned back to Dante, her resolve firm.

Even if it meant sharing a car with him, she would endure it. She’d survived worse, after all.

But as he gestured for her to get in, his commanding presence made her skin tingle.

And she couldn’t shake the feeling that riding with him might be her most dangerous challenge yet.