Allison's POVI watched his face tighten at my declaration and knew I was going to have a lot of talking to do in order to convince him to open up to me. It was going to be a long, hard battle but I was determined to win. I peered at him in the dim light. All the blinds in the room had been drawn and the only light came from the half-open bathroom door. My eyes took in Dante's appearance. I had never known him to look so worn out even when he was under an enormous amount of stress. The threats to his life from the traitors a while ago had not been able to do this to him. After all Lucius had told me, I now saw Dante in a whole new light. I could see how he presented such a tough exterior to the world, just like me. But inside, there was a man who wanted badly to be understood. He was staring at the door with a frown on his face as though wishing someone would come in and take me away. Without turning, I shut the door gently and turned the key in the lock. He further straightened

Allison's POV The next morning, I was woken up by the twittering of a bird right outside the window. I blinked sleepily and rubbed my eyes so I could see clearly. Strong sunlight streamed in from the open window, an indication that it was probably mid-morning. I glanced at the clock on the wall. It was a few minutes past 10. Damn! I had slept in. I could not remember the last time I had woken up this late. Remembering all that had happened last night, I turned to the other side of the bed. Dante was not there. He was nowhere in the room. There was just the indentation of his body on the sheets and of his head on the pillow. He had probably gone to attend to some other things hours ago while I slept. I stretched out a hand and touched the spot where he lay, fancying I still felt the warmth of his body. I yawned, stretched, and sat up. At the movement, I winced. I was suddenly conscious of a slight pain in my abdomen and my lower limbs. But the majority of the pain was centered ar

Allison's POV I nodded at Dante's words. His words evoked a lot of memories. There was a time right before the attacks on Dante's pack began when Madison and I were having breakfast together. I had concentrated on my food and Madison had been chattering about the kinds of clothes she liked, her favorite colors, and a lot of things I was barely paying attention to. Then she had stopped abruptly and asked, "What flower do you like most? I absolutely love roses- red ones in particular." she had added after I didn't respond to her question. Her hands had unconsciously touched the sleeve of the flower-patterned blouse she was wearing. I had made an impatient gesture. "I do not like flowers at all," I had said. "Flowers are childish and I definitely wouldn't waste a thought on them." I chuckled sadly at the memory. Perhaps the memory of that day had been floating around in my subconscious. That was why I had gotten the exact flowers she liked. Dante heard me chuckle. I noticed the

Dante's POV Repeatedly, I ran my fingers through my hair as my mind darted like a trapped animal in a dozen different directions. I stared at Allison whose face was now as still and as immobile as a statue. She looked at me the way she had done when she first came here- suspiciously and distrustfully. Her earlier relaxed expression had disappeared the way a fist does when the palm opens. I fought with myself, forcing myself to assume an unreadable expression at least. Allison could not know of the turmoil I was going through inside. I surveyed the area, staring at Lucius's departing figure. At the moment I wished I was him and did not have to face Allison's fury. I would not mind much if I had the explanations she wanted. But I had nothing at the moment and that pissed me off. To buy time, I jerked my chin in the direction of the house. "Let us go in," I said quietly. She bared her teeth and growled. A muscle jumped in her jaw. "You can say whatever it is you have to say ri

Allison's POV The minute I caught sight of Dante, I flushed, embarrassed. I felt ashamed that he had been a witness to the whole sordid scene with my brother. Aria too was looking scandalized at all that Darius had said. It took all my willpower to keep my head up and stare at Dante. He did not look at me, however. His gaze was focused on Darius and the anger in his eyes was terrible to see. Darius must also have come to the same conclusion as I did, that this spelt trouble for him because he stiffened and cringed. Dante continued moving forward. I reached out and tried to grab his arm but I touched only air. "Dante. . .," I murmured. He gave no indication that he heard me. He headed straight for Darius and stopped right in front of his bed. Darius would get a tongue-lashing- that was for sure, but I was not expecting what Dante did next. Quick as a flash, Dante's hand grabbed Darius by the front of his shirt. His hands inched upward, grabbed his throat, and squeezed. My eyes