PROMISE ME

DANTE'S POV

I was not supposed to go out anytime soon but I ran out of groceries and I hate ordering food so I had to go out and get some fresh ingredients. I left my house as early as I could and I even wore a hoodie so I wouldn't be too conspicuous, but as I'm about to get into my car and drive back home, I run into Liam. AGAIN!

This man seems to be everywhere and it can't be a major coincidence that I'm running into him two times in a row. It's either he's following me or the universes is trying to be funny.

"That last time we met like this, I let you punch me. You won't be so lucky this time." I say looking him up and down as he stands in my way in the parking lot.

"What are you and Adeline up to?" He asks, cutting straight to the point and I almost widen my eyes in shock but I've learnt over the years to keep my face expressionless. Liam isn't as stupid as Adeline and I thought he would be. I mean he's a lawyer for crying out loud and one of the most important skills a lawyer should have is critical thinking.

Plus, Adeline is his best friend. I'm sure he figured out something was wrong the moment she started lying to him.

"We're broken up. That's what we're up to." I say and try to step aside but he only moves closer to me and stops me in my tracks.

"Look I don't know what game you're playing, but I want in. I have no idea why Adeline won't trust me but I want to help. Whatever it is that you two are playing at, I know for sure that you two aren't broken up. Adeline would never be as calm and alright with everything going on right now if you two were broken up. so just fucking tell me what it is!" He raises his voice and comes even closer to me.

Although I tower over hm, his blue eyes stare into mine with desperation and anger. I want to tell him, I really do but this was Adeline's plan and it is her decision to make whether or not she wants to include other people. I'm sorry for Liam but he's going to have to take his anger elsewhere. I am not even in the mood right now.

I know Adeline can take care of herself and she told me Adrian won't touch her until their supposed wedding day, yet the though of her staying with hm annoys me. I also learnt the man is a freaking racist so one more reason why he should be wiped off the face of this earth.

"She's like a sister to me Dante. I'm already convinced something is wrong and I'll find out whether or not you tell me. Just know that if anything happens to Adeline. If what you and her are plotting is even remotely dangerous and she ends up getting hurt, I will hunt you down." He points his index finger at me as he talks and then gives me ne nastier look before escaping into the supermarket.

I have to warn Adeline about Liam so she can be more careful and discrete about what we're doing. I was going to find a way to see her this weekend but with Liam snooping around like this, I might not be able to see Adeline for a long time and I have no idea what I'm going to do with myself.

I miss her so damn much.

Once I get into my car and back home, something feels entirely off. It almost feels like someone has been here and I immediately pull out my gun from a safe spot in my car. I walk slowly towards my door but before I can turn the handle, the door opens wide and I come face to face with an angel. The most beautiful woman I have ever met. My very own Adeline.

"What…"

"Shush." She cuts me off and pulls me inside the house, slamming the door shut behind me. I drop my gun to the floor and rase her until her legs are wrapped around my waist as our mouths move in symphony together.

"You just walk around with a gun Mr. Russo?" She asks as she breaks the kiss. A frown of worry on her face as she stares at the piece of metal on the floor.

"I've had it since my house got broken into that day." I lie. She doesn't need to know that I have guns stacked up in basically every single corner of this house.

"I saw Liam just now." I say, trying to change the topic quickly. I drop her and put the gun away. Out of sight, out of mind.

"I kind of though he was following me cause this is the second time in a row he's bumping into me, but it was just a coincidence. He's on to us though. He knows something is up and from the look of things he won't rest until he finds out. Are you sure you still want to keep this away from him?" I fold my arms across my chest and wait for her response.

She swallows and starts pacing back and forth in the room. I definitely understand her reason for not wanting to tell Liam but he seems to care so much for her. Maybe he can put aside his principles and be morally grey for her.

"He can't know Dante. And not only because I don't trust him with this but I truly believe that Adrian is a dangerous person and Liam has a great life and a great girlfriend. I don't want anything to happen to him because of me. Even if it means he'll hate me. At least he'll be safe." She says.

"Do you really think that or are you just trying to convince yourself. You already started a very dangerous game, Adeline. When this thing blows off the lid, Adrian is going to want to hurt you, and what better way to do that than to go after the people you care about the most? A.K.A. Adrian."

"Adrian got me a maid. Apparently she's been serving Adrian since she was fifteen years old. She's twenty now so she's been in that house for five years. Maids are gossips and they always know something. Every single person in that house is extremely scared of Adrian and they're stupidly loyal to him. I know he has something against them, but if I can get this girl to trust me, I can find out more about him." She says immediately changing the topic.

I guess I got her answer then. She's not telling Liam about this no matter what.

"Are you sure that's a good idea? We need to stick to the plan princess. No snooping. Just gain his trust enough for him to get those papers signed. I need you to get me a copy and I'll deal with the rest." I say.

"I already know how I'm going to get the copy don't worry about that. I'll have it by the end of this month and we can forge it. But scamming him isn't enough for me anymore Dante. I want to ruin him and I'm already in his house. This could be an opportunity for me to find out about all the skeletons in his closet."

As she talks, my heart keeps beating frantically in my chest. All business men I know like keeping things in safes in their houses. Adeline is a smart girl and I'm sure if she snoops well enough, she'll find something about Adrian linking him to the slavery organization. She has her mind made up and there's nothing I can do.

I walk slowly towards her and cup her cheeks. "I trust you'll be careful, but if you do find anything, promise me you'll come to me first okay? Not Liam, not the police. Me. Promise me Adeline." She looks up to me with confused and curious eyes but all she does is nod her head.

"I promise." She breathes out.