is why she came here. She knew Tris would tell her what she thought, but she’d also encourage one of her dance parties. All Chloe wanted to do was forget for a few minutes.
Life was chaotic and full of surprises. There were far too few moments like this where she didn’t think about anything except music and the movement of her body. Unfortunately, her mind refused to stay away from Dante and his sexy smile.
Was she wrong about not giving love another chance? Was it possible Dante would remain by her side through thick and thin? Chloe gulped more vodka determined to put it out of her mind for the next hour.
Chapter 11
“Where’s the angel?”
Dante turned when he heard Zander’s voice. A growl left him when his shoulder brushed the back of the chair. “Went to visit a friend.”
Zander’s Sapphire blue eyes narrowed on him. “Do you think that’s a good idea? She could be meeting up with the archdemon and plotting an attack as we speak. She knows Izzy is here.”
Dante shook his head and got to his feet. “She isn’t working with the archdemon. She’s been through a lot and needed to escape for a bit.”
“How can you be so sure?” Zander’s voice was a harsh growl.
Dante gripped the top of his shoulder. A gasp left him when his hand rubbed over the brand beneath his shirt. “Because she’s my Fated Mate. And she was tortured and beaten by the fucker. No way would she work with him after all he put her through.”
“What? What did you just say?”
Dante pulled his top over his head and showed Zander his brand. “Exactly what you’re thinking. We had sex and this appeared. She might not be bound by the same commitment as us, but no mate would betray the other regardless of if she wants to tie herself to me or not.”
“Well that complicates things. What did she say?” Zander’s gaze burned right through to Dante’s soul. He’d known the male a long time and trusted him implicitly.
“She doesn’t know how to deal with this, so she’s drinking with a friend. I’m not sure that she will pick me. In fact, there’s every chance she will walk away.”
Zander ran a hand through his hair. “Shite. I’m verra sorry. My gut says everything will work oot. None of us have had an easy time with mating, but Chloe is different. I’ll be here for you however I can.”
Dante’s chest constricted. This male had been by his side during his worst moments and never treated him as if he were bad. If not for Zander’s belief in him, Dante wasn’t sure where he would have ended up. “I know you will. I’m relying on it because I will need you to kill me if I lose Chloe.”
Zander’s eyes flashed black and narrowed. “Why the fuck would you ask me that? I canna hurt you, Dante. You’re one of my oldest friends. We will work this oot withoot it coming to death.”
Dante shook his head and shut the laptop he’d been surfing on. “You know why I ask this. I can’t be with another person. Ever again. Not after finding Chloe. And I will not become that beast I was when you found me. I can’t stomach the thought. I need you to promise you will make sure that never happens again.”
Zander sighed and bobbed his head. “I will no’ let your demonic side take over. That doesna mean I will end your life, but I will make sure you canna hurt anyone else. And then I will have a nice chat with Chloe.”
Not what Dante wanted, but he’d take it. “Don’t ever try and force her to accept me. If she doesn’t want me, I have to live with that. It is her choice. I will never take that away from her and neither will anyone else. Understand?”
Zander would do almost anything for those he considered his family. Dante was one of those individuals. Zander watched him for several seconds until he finally nodded. “I willna force her, but I will talk to her and help her see who you really are. She won’t be able to help herself once she really knows you.”
Dante chuckled and headed for the kitchen. “I don’t think that’s quite accurate but thank you. So, how’s Izzy? She seems better than she was when she came home.”
Zander’s brow furrowed and fine lines appeared around his mouth. “I doona fucking know. There are moments I catch a glimpse