Dante (Stone Society Book 3) Read Online Free Page B

husband.
    “The
bad man. I’m hungry. May we eat now?” Connor didn’t wait for them to respond.
He sat down at his place at the kitchen table.
    After
the dishes were washed and Connor was tucked safely in his bed, Maria and Rico
retired to their own bedroom. They went through their own nightly routine. When
they were snuggled in, Rico didn’t make his wife wait any longer. “I wasn’t
lying when I said I had car trouble. I don’t want to worry you, Querida, but I
am pretty sure my tire was slashed on purpose. To what end, I do not know. I
did not call you in case someone was close by, listening. I didn’t want to
appear suspicious. I sent a quick text to Isabelle, but when I did not hear
back from her right away, I let it go. I do not want to worry her either, but
she needs to know there is a slight chance we have been found out.”
    “But
how, Papi? We’ve been careful. This was an isolated incident, was it not?
Please, Enrico. Has something else happened I don’t know about? And what about
Con’s drawing?” Maria’s whole body was shaking, and Rico pulled her into his
arms, tucking her head under his chin.
    “Yes,
we’ve been careful, but we have always known the danger. It may be nothing
other than a teenager pulling a prank. I just want to be cautious. As for the
drawing, it’s nothing more than a child’s vivid imagination. Now, try to put it
out of your mind.”
    “I
will try. I spoke to Isabelle earlier, and she is going to visit this weekend.
We can talk to her about this when she gets here.” Maria settled into her husband
as he began singing softly to his wife. She knew it was to ease her fears and
lull her into sleep. Normally it worked. Her husband had a voice that would put
any of the award winners to shame. This night, however, it would not work. The
fear of someone finding out about Connor, the possibility of losing him, was
forever at the back of her mind. This night, it was front and center and would
remain embedded there.
     

     
    Isabelle
was glad to see Dante enjoying the chocolate dessert. She had no idea what he
liked, so she chose her favorite. While the soft moans emanating from his
throat were for his appreciation of the mousse, she couldn’t help but enjoy the
sinful sound. Her body was hyper aware of his, and she was ready to be alone
with him. When he excused himself earlier, Isabelle had followed him with her
mind, reached out with her new, enhanced shifter senses. As she listened to
Dante standing up to her father on her behalf, something inside cracked. Alexi
had been loyal to himself and his family, but never her. Maybe the similarities
between her former husband and her mate ended at the fancy car and extravagant
gifts. She truly hoped so, because once they were back at her house, she was
starting down a path she hoped was filled with sunshine and contentment, not
storms and trepidation.
    When
Dante held his hand out to her, she took it and stood from the table. Instead
of letting go, Isabelle laced their fingers together. She couldn’t help but
notice the women staring at Dante. All the Gargoyles she’d met were handsome,
some more than others or in different ways. But her mate, he was beyond
handsome. Why he thought she would find him lacking was a mystery. She was
proud to be seen on his arm. Jonas must have taken Dante’s talk to heart.
Neither he nor Caroline attempted to speak to Isabelle on her way out of the
restaurant.
    The
valet quickly brought the Aston Martin around, and Dante opened the passenger
door, helping her get in. Now that she wasn’t as nervous as she’d been before
dinner, she was excited to be in such an elegant car. She might not be the
adrenaline junky her cousin Tessa was, but she loved this vehicle. It reminded
her of all the old James Bond movies. Having no friends, Isabelle spent her
spare time reading romance novels and watching action flicks. She often dreamed
of being the heroine in an action movie and being rescued by the handsome