Chapter 14 - The Offer
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Dante walked into the hospital room. He was no longer covered in blood or dirt. He wore a perfectly tailored charcoal suit, his dark hair slicked back, looking every bit the untouchable billionaire crime lord he was.
He held a massive stuffed bear under one arm and a sleek leather folder in his hand.
Matteo, sitting up in bed and looking healthier than he had in months, gasped at the bear. Dante smiled—a real, genuine smile—and placed the bear on the bed.
"I hear you like bears, Matteo," Dante said softly.
"Thank you, Mr. Dante!" Matteo beamed, hugging the toy tightly.
Dante turned to Leah, his expression turning serious. "Walk with me."
Leah followed him out into the quiet, sterile hallway. Her cheap waitressing uniform was gone, replaced by a soft cashmere sweater and jeans the hospital concierge had provided.
Dante handed her the leather folder.
"What is this?" Leah asked, her hands trembling as she opened it.
Inside was a deed to a beautiful brownstone in a gated community, fully paid off. Behind it was a trust fund document in Matteo's name, containing more zeros than Leah had ever seen in her life.
"It's a fresh start," Dante said, his dark eyes searching her face. "Sable is dead. My uncle is gone. You are completely safe. This is enough money for you to never work another double shift again. Matteo's medical bills are paid for life."
Leah stared at the papers, her throat tight. "You're paying me off."
"I am keeping my promise," Dante corrected, stepping closer. "But there is a catch."
Leah looked up, her heart skipping a beat at the intensity in his gaze. "What catch?"
"The money, the house, the safety... it comes with me," Dante said, his voice dropping to a low, possessive rumble. "I thought I could drop you here and walk away. But every time I close my eyes, all I see is the fierce, curvy waitress who dragged me out of a laundry cart and went to war for me."
He reached out, his thumb gently tracing the line of her jaw.
May you like
"I am a dangerous man, Leah. My world is dark. But you bring a light to it that I never knew I needed. Stay with me. Let me take care of you."
Leah’s breath hitched. She looked at the man who had turned her terrifying, exhausting world upside down.
