Page 14 of Blood Vows

“You still think I’m guilty,” she reminded.

“Exactly.” He got out, and Elena followed.

Dante immediately caught her wrist. “What did I just say?”

“That I stay behind you,” she said.

“Then why are you standing beside me?” he asked.

“We haven't even started walking yet,” she said. His jaw clenched, and she had a feeling she was going to make that happen a lot.

“Behind me,” he repeated.

“Fine.” Dante released her, and Elena noticed that his hand lingered for half a second longer than necessary. She wondered if he noticed too. Nothing seemed to escape the man.

They moved toward her building. Two of Dante’s men followed several feet behind them while another remained with the car. The street looked exactly as it had when she’d left earlier—quiet, normal. But it didn’t feel normal anymore—nothing did. Every shadow looked deeper, every parked car looked suspicious, and every sound made her heart jump. She hated that. Fear had never controlled her before. Her father had made sure of it.

Never let them see you afraid, Elena.

She could hear his voice as clearly as if he were walking beside her.

Fear is information. Don't give your enemies anything for free.

She straightened, and Dante glanced back at her. “You okay?”

“Yes,” she lied.

“You hesitated,” he pointed out.

“I’m allowed to hesitate,” she insisted.

“Not when I ask if you’re okay.”

She rolled her eyes. “Do you interrogate all women like this?”

“Yes,” he breathed.

“Must make dating fun.” He stopped walking, and Elena nearly ran into him again.

Dante slowly turned his head. “Are you asking about my dating life?”

“No,” she said.

“Sounded like it,” he said.

“I’d rather get shot again,” she sassed. His expression went completely blank, and Elena immediately regretted the joke. Something cold entered his eyes.

“Don’t say that,” he breathed. The words were quiet—too quiet.

She swallowed. “It was a joke.”

“I know,” he said.

“Then why do you seem so upset about it?” she asked.

“Because I don’t find you getting shot funny,” he said. There was no sarcasm in his voice, no teasing—nothing except a seriousness that made her chest tighten. Elena didn't know what to say to that. Thankfully, Dante turned away before she had to. They reached the entrance to her building, and the front door was locked.

Dante looked at her, and she pulled her keys from her coat pocket. “See? Useful.”