Chapter 11 - Face to Face with Dante
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The door opened, and Dante Bellarosa stepped into the room.
He was an imposing figure—broad-shouldered, wearing a dark wool coat, with silver hair brushed back and eyes that seemed to read every detail of the room in a single second. Yet, as he approached Elena’s bed, he kept his distance, respecting her space and her authority.
"Mrs. Moretti," Dante said softly, his voice low and resonant. "It’s good to see you awake."
"Mr. Bellarosa," Elena replied, evaluating him. "Carol tells me you’ve been protecting my perimeter."
"I’ve ensured that nobody buying information for your husband gets anywhere near this floor," Dante explained calmly. "We also recovered something interesting. Video footage from your service entrance."
Elena listened intently as Dante outlined Vivian Rinaldi’s secret visit to the penthouse hours before the assault, including the document envelope she brought upstairs.
When he finished, Elena remained silent for a moment. Her expression didn't show shock; it showed cold, logical calculation.
"Vivian wanted him to find those papers," Elena stated flatly. "She knew about my federal archive."
"We believe she wanted Matteo to destroy you," Dante agreed. "She knew his temper. She banked on him doing something irreversible."
"And he did," Elena said, touching the bandage on her head. "So, Mr. Bellarosa... what is your price for helping me?"
Dante looked her straight in the eye. "I don't want your money, Elena. And I don't want a piece of the Moretti empire."
"Men like you don't work for free."
"Consider it my penance," Dante said quietly. "I helped build the world that allowed men like Matteo to think they could treat women like property. I can't undo my past, but I can make sure you and your son walk out of this alive."
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Elena studied him for a long moment, sensing the absolute truth in his words. "Then we have a deal. But hear me clearly, Dante: I run this strategy. You take no actions without my consent."
Dante bowed his head slightly. "You're the boss."
