Chapter 2
Bianca Gets Her Protection
One week later, Dante placed a restored ring in front of Elena.
It was the Moretti signet ring her father had left her.
The stone had cracked during the confusion on their wedding day. Several jewelers had refused the repair.
“When did you have this done?” Elena asked.
“Two months ago.”
Dante took her hand and slid the ring onto her finger.
“Something your father left you should not stay broken in a De Luca house.”
Elena watched his lowered eyes and felt the old pull in her chest.
He had not always been careless with her.
Those small acts of care had kept her waiting for a love that never came.
That afternoon, the family security council met at the Lake Forest estate.
Bianca had returned to Chicago without formal family protection. Under an old agreement, Dante had to sponsor her before she could receive Level One security.
He refused at first.
“She walked away from the marriage agreement. The Morettis can protect her.”
Salvatore folded his hands.
“There is one Level One opening. It was reserved for Mrs. De Luca during her Boston trip.”
Dante looked at Elena.
He believed Boston involved foundation business. He did not know she was going there for surgery.
“Give Bianca standard protection.”
The meeting continued.
Ten minutes later, Marco received a message.
“Bianca rejected the standard detail. She booked a flight out of Chicago.”
Dante closed the file.
“She still runs whenever she does not get what she wants.”
He sounded angry.
He stopped listening to the next report.
At last, he signed the sponsorship order.
“It is temporary.”
He looked at Elena.
“When her problem is settled, the protection goes back to you.”
“All right.”
Her answer came too easily.
After the meeting, Dante followed her into the hall.
“You are upset.”
“No.”
“Then why did you not argue?”
Elena stopped.
“Would arguing have changed your decision?”
Dante had no answer.
“Bianca has no one else,” he said.
“I know.”
“You can delay Boston.”
“What if I cannot?”
His brow tightened.
“It is a foundation project.”
Elena looked at him and felt tired.
Anything she had not explained could never matter as much as Bianca.
That night, the security system was updated.
Elena lost her secure route, armored vehicle, and emergency access code. They were reassigned to Bianca.
When Dante returned, Elena was making identity cards at her desk.
He picked one up. It listed the housekeeper’s name, job, and photograph.
“What is this?”
“It helps me remember people.”
His face changed.
“What is going on with you?”
For the first time, she saw real concern in his eyes.
His phone rang.
Bianca’s name appeared on the screen.
Dante did not answer at once. He looked at Elena as if he wanted her to ask him to stay.
Elena lowered her head and continued writing.
He finally took the phone into the hall.
Elena reached his card.
There had been a time when she knew all his habits. She knew which shoulder tightened when he was angry and where he placed his gun before sleep.
Now she could not remember which side of the bed he used.
She deleted the word husband.
She wrote something else.
Dante De Luca
Use caution.
Thirty-five days until Elena forgot Dante completely.