Slowburn

Chapter 75

        Things had been quiet for the next week. It was very much needed after that terrifying night where Dante and I got shot at, and Renzo actually got shot. By no means is Renzo suddenly this romantic perfect man, but he did make me a promise the other night that I never expected from him. 

He is willing to have sex exclusively with me, and he said he was 'trying' whatever that even means in the world of Renzo Revello. He's been pretty busy the last week, so we haven't gotten to take much advantage of this exclusive sex thing, but knowing he isn't touching anyone else has calmed something inside me that I didn't even realize was aching so much. 

        It was my day off of work, so I was just around the house doing a few house chores and relaxing. I had texted Dante something funny earlier, as him and I often do, but I could tell his vibe was off, which is not like Dante at all. He's always the good time guy in the room. He's become a friend to me. 

I asked him what was wrong and he denied anything being wrong at first, but then he confessed that today marked the day of his brother Dario's death. I told him to come over, so he wouldn't spend his time alone and sad. That, so, isn't like Dante and it hurt my heart to even think of it.

        When he came over we took a seat on my sofa and I looked pointed at him even though he was sort of avoiding my gaze. "All this only a week after being shot at yourself...I'm sure that stirred up some things for you" I started. His dark eyes came up to mine and he sighed. 

"Yeah, pretty much," he admitted. He was in comfortable clothing, no suit today. His expression wasn't relaxed though. "Why don't you tell me a little bit about him" I encouraged him. He turned slightly so his elbow was leaning on the back of my couch. 

"I don't even know where to start" he dropped his head onto his closed fist that was leaning on the back cushion. "Anywhere" I shrugged. His eyes tipped up for a second like he was trying to think. 

        "Dario is a year older than me...was a year older than me" he corrected himself. I said nothing but gave him my undivided attention. "Him, me, Renzo, and Rocco, we were all really close growing up since we're all around the same age. All of us were troublemakers I'm sure you can picture it" he chuckled. It made me smile in amusement. 

"Rocco is the oldest, then my brother, and Renzo and I are the same age by a couple months. My disposition is more laid back like Rocco. And Dario...he was more like Renzo. A real tough guy. I used to think he wasn't afraid of anything when we were growing up. He's my big bro so you know I kinda looked up to him" he shrugged.

"They must have been terrors. Him and Renzo" I nudged him to keep talking. He snorted a laugh.

        "Renzo is by far the craziest, I'll tell you that, but yeah Dario was his own trouble. When my father went to prison we spent a lot of time at the Revello household, which I guess is why we are the closest out of all my other million cousins." 

I didn't know Dante's dad had gone to prison, but I can't say it surprises me now that I know the family business. "I know what you're thinking...we put this on ourselves for being in the lifestyle" he spoke up. I furrowed my brows and shook my head. 

"No, nobody deserves to watch their family get taken away. Jail or death, whatever it may be" I assured him. 

        To lighten the mood I asked, "What are some things Dario liked? What should we do today that he would've enjoyed?" Dante rubbed his neck to think about it and it brought my attention to his neck tattoo. To get something so prominent and permanent on your body is to show how much you want to honor and never forget a person. It's a constant reminder.