i got you.

14 | This Is Why I Don't Socialize

DANTE

She told us. And that alone proved that she trusted us, not that I doubted it. But not just that, she was with us. Fully. Body and soul. And whether she knew it or not, that spoke measures.

While I'm not the type of leader who will flaunt or boast, I am proud of all I've accomplished. My grandfather was the one who begun our reign, and my father took over from him. I took over 6 years ago, and a powerful 6 years it has been.

I run a different way, and it has yet to fail me. Relying on trust and loyalty rather than fear was a tactic that my father continues to warn me against, but there's a reason why I've had no big problems in the 6 years and I like to think it's because of this.

Now, with a woman who just bore her hardest chapter to me and my most trusted people, I was stunned. I barely showed it, but her story rendered me speechless. Speechless and pissed.

If she hadn't have said that she had hunted and killed all of them, I don't think I would have been responsible for my actions if so. Mercilessly, a trait I save for special occasions, I would have torn them apart.

Starting with their dicks, ending with their eyes. Making them watch as I intricately pick them apart, limb by limb... sense by sense. I'd take their eyes last, forcing them to regret every second they looked at her.

But I hid it. I hid my wrath and rage filled anger from the room. Instead I waited for her eyes to meet mine again, letting Arianna comfort her first. While Emmi calmed down, I glanced at everyone.

Luca's fists were clenched, the force at which was turning his knuckles white. His face was contorted in a way that both showed anger and empathy. Like he was trying to keep his rage from bubbling over, and letting his softer reaction front.

Noah was sat on one of the couches, his elbows on his knees and his body leant forward. His eyes trained on Emmi. He looked very deep in thought, almost lost in them.

Bruno leant against the side of the room, his eyes pointed down. He seemed the most relaxed, then again he always was the best at hiding his feelings in comparison to all of us.

Ari held her. One hand behind her head while Emmi took deep breaths on Ari's shoulder. Ari was humming softly, a tune the only audible sound other than all of our breaths.

But me, I was mesmerised. Of course, rage and uncontainable fury threatened every pore but more so I was mesmerised by the woman sat infront of me. It's something I've always thought when facing survivors of rape - how unbelievably strong must a woman be to overcome something like that, men too.

Doing what I do, and being who I am... I come across a lot of survivors, many of whom join my empire to enact revenge. And I'm never usually one to deny them. But it doesn't stop the respect I have for every one that comes through my door, for survivors of any act similar to rape and of rape itself... are the strongest of souls. They are people to be admired and worshipped like gods and goddesses, because not only have they experienced an irreplaceable and irrevocable emotional and physical pain, but a violation of their selves. And no one should ever feel like their body isn't their own.

Hence why, I stood up. I got out of my chair, the leather creasing under each movement, and took slow steps over to her. Silently, my eyes narrowed at Elle and after a moment she moved from her seat. I took it slowly before looking at her.

"Em?" I said, her head whipping off Ari's shoulder to look at me. Her eyes didn't meet mine, but stayed looking down at her lap, at Xander. "Em." I repeated, latching a finger under her chin. I carefully turned her head, her now red eyes finally gluing to mine.