The promise that haunts us

I wasn't blind. I could see the confusion which flickered across her face. Her brow knitted tightly,her lips parted slightly. She was torn between anger and confusion and explaining to her why I sent an invitation across wasn't in my schedule. It never was.

“Why should he come in, Dante?” she asked, her voice low but firm.

I leaned back on the chair, still maintaining a stoic expression,

“This is my house,” I replied coldly. “I get to say who the hell walks in.”

Her eyes widened, her lips pressing into a thin line as she stood up. She looked so much like her father when she did that. The same disapproving approval and for a moment, I hated the recognition knowing what I'd done.

“That’s not fair,” she replied. “You aren't fair.”

“Sit,” I ordered,my voice as sharp as a blade, slicing through the atmosphere.

She flinched slightly but didn't sit. Her body stiffened,her lips trembling as she fought hard to restrain the words which threatened to escape. I knew she was hurt and partly,It was my fault.

She attempted to leave and I shut her a glare that passed a silent warning. Daring her not to make a move.

She dropped back to her chair and then, the asshole; Williams walked in.

He casually strode into the room like he belonged in it, his hand slightly tucked in his pocket, his shoulders relaxed. Worst of all, he had the audacity to flash me a grin like we were some high school buddies.

“Williams, come have a seat,” Lucia said calmly, her smile widening on her face.

He shook his head slightly, declining her offer,

“Thank you ma'am, I won't be staying long. “

Lucia shook her head,

“Nonsense. I'll fix a plate. You must be hungry…”

“Sit,” I cut in coldly, not bothering to look at the both of them.

Catherina who had had enough of his presence stood and walked out angrily. I saw through my side eyes the way her body wrecked with sob and…it broke me. I'd heard of what Williams did to her and I knew how his presence affected her.

Williams hesitated, his hand flexing on his laps. I didn't repeat myself.

Lucia chuckled lightly, brushing a kiss on my chin.

“Dante is such a tyrant,” she said softly.“But, I swear, he has a soft heart.”

She sat down beside Williams, the fork dangling between her fingers. The air was thick with anticipation. I saw how nervous it made Williams and I loved it.

He'd dared to break the one rule I'd told him.

“So, what are your plans for Valentine's night with my daughter,” Lucia asked,not reading the energy in the room. To her,this was nothing short of a family reunion.

“I….Uh,” he stuttered.

“He’s not here for Catherina,” I interrupted, standing on my feet.

Lucia's brow furrowed slightly,

“Is anything wrong,honey?” I ignored her, taking a step towards the stairs. “Am I missing something? Where's Catherina?”

“Williams,” I said without looking back. “Don’t keep me waiting.”

I walked into the study room, the scent of old books and ink filling the air. The hinges creaked as I walked into the dimly lit room.

My hands ran across the desk before I sat, my gaze lingering at the corner of the room, where his picture used to be. Dexter. Catherina's father.

I cursed myself silently and dragged in a slow breath. Deep down, I knew he'd be disappointed in me. Hell,I was disappointed in myself for lusting after his child I was meant to protect.

I felt guilty knowing that I'd orchestrated this marriage from the start. I wanted to get rid of her as soon as I could after I figured out that my obsession towards her was growing.

I was trying to protect her from me, yet I ended up hurting her.

My jaw clenched tightly, my fingers moving across the table, picking out a cigarette. The cigarette sat between my hand and I lit it with a flick of my thumb, watching the smoke curl upwards.

I married Lucia because it was the only way to keep her safe. Keep them from the hungry eyes of other mafia bosses who wouldn't hesitate to waste their lives or take advantage of a grieving widow and her defenseless arrogant daughter.

But even I knew that good intention didn't erase sins.

The image of Dexter bleeding in my hands never left me. The way his blood soaked into my shirt, the way his last breath trembled through his cracked lips as he whispered to me,

“Take care of them,” he had said.“They are now yours.”

And I had. But, not like this.

A tear rolled down my eyes before I even realized. I wiped it away with the towel from my breast pocket and stared at the flickering cigarette, wondering when it had all gone.

Then, the door creaked open and Williams entered slowly.

I motioned towards the chair across from me. He walked towards the chair and sat down.

Stubbing the cigarette on a glass tray, I leaned forward,my elbows resting on the desk, my eyes fixated on him like a predator seizing a prey.

Then, I asked the question which had left me temporarily disoriented,

“What did I tell you about hurting Catherina?”

There was silence in the atmosphere. A deafening one. My fingers tapped slowly against the mahogany desk, my patience wearing thin.

“Well?” I asked, my voice razor sharp. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves.

Williams finally swallowed the fear rising in his throat. His lips twitched before he straightened his shoulders, feigning a confidence he didn't have.

“I…I have a life out there,Sir,”he began,barely keeping eye contact.“I don't love her, I never did. ”

The words rolled off his tongue easily. Maybe too easily.

He cleared his throat and looked up, his voice firmer now, mirroring a flicker of an imaginary bravely,

“I only signed the contract because I needed money.”

I raised a brow. I knew he did that because of the money. I'd given him a choice back then; Date Catherina or be put out of his misery. It was just a negotiation.

I simply opened the drawer, pulling out a sleek black pistol and placing it on the desk with a casual thud.

“Jesus Christ!” Williams screamed, stumbling backwards as his skin paled.

I watched his pathetic body tremble as he begged for mercy,

“I’m sorry, please. I didn't mean to disrespect you. I swear to God,I didn't even touch her. I didn't even want to marry her. I have a life. I have someone else…”

“Can you just stop overreacting?” I said, rolling my eyes casually. “If I wanted to kill you, I wouldn't do that in a study room.”

I allowed the words to sink in his brain before I continued.

“You are a coward,” I said calmly. “I knew that after I met you.”

He remained calm, his eyes darting between the weapon and the ash tray.

“You can sleep around with whoever you like, but making her watch that? That's diabolical.”

His head snapped up,his eyes wide,

“How did you…?”

“I know everything. I own everything.”

I cleared my throat before I continued,

“I’ll let it slide because you're not worth the blood on my rug.”

He nodded slowly.

“Now,listen carefully,” I said calmly, my voice dropping to an octave. “You’ll draft the divorce papers. Sign them and you'll give them to her yourself tomorrow.”

“Y…yes, Sir.”

“If you ever show your face here again…I'll make you bleed.”

Without waiting for a reply, I stood on my feet and walked over to the window, buttoning my suit jacket.

My gaze shot across the foggy lawn as I dug my pocket, dragging out a cigarette and sticking it in my lips. I flickered the lighter, burning the edge of the cigarette before saying in a measured tone.

“Now, get out.”