Chapter 10 - The Moretti Debt
The sun dipped below the Manhattan skyline, casting long, golden ribbons across the pavement outside the bistro as we finally locked the front doors for the night.
Leo was fast asleep in the back seat of Dante’s town car, tired out from a full day of playing host to customers who thought he was the cutest kid in New York.
I sat in the passenger seat, watching the city lights blur past as Dante drove us back toward the estate. The air inside the car was warm and quiet, filled with the gentle hum of the radio.
“You know,” I said softly, breaking the silence, “you never did collect on that debt.”
Dante glanced sideways at me, a low chuckle rumbling in his chest. “What debt?”
“You said actions have weight. You said debts are paid,” I reminded him with a playful smile. “I saved your son, but you protected me, bought me a restaurant, and gave me a family. If anything, I’m the one in debt now.”
Dante pulled the car to a smooth stop inside the private garage of the estate, killing the engine. He turned in his seat, resting his arm across the back of my headrest, his dark eyes filled with warmth.
May you like
“You’re wrong, Elena,” Dante whispered, leaning in close so his lips brushed my ear. “From the moment you jumped in front of that chandelier, the debt was never yours to pay. It was mine. And I plan on spending the rest of my life paying it back to you.”
I smiled, resting my hand against his cheek, knowing that whatever dangers waited in the shadows of our world, we would face them together.
