Under His Protection

Chapter 2: Cracks in the Armor

Days turned into weeks, and Leo Moretti seamlessly became part of Dante's inner circle. He was always there—watching, guarding, anticipating danger before it even reached the boss. Dante couldn't help but admire Leo's sharp instincts and steady hand. He trusted the man more than he had trusted anyone in a long time.

But Leo was more than just reliable. He was also unsettlingly calm, never letting anything show on his face, no matter how tense a situation became. Dante often found himself studying Leo when they were alone, trying to figure out what made the man tick. Leo never gave anything away, and that only intrigued Dante more.

One evening, after an exhausting day of dealing with a rival family's threats, Dante was in his private office, nursing a glass of whiskey. Leo stood near the door, silent as always, his dark eyes scanning the room like a hawk.

Dante set his glass down, leaning back in his chair. "You don't say much, do you?" he asked, breaking the silence.

Leo's gaze shifted to him briefly before returning to the shadows. "I speak when necessary."

Dante chuckled softly, swirling the whiskey in his glass. "And when is it necessary?"

"When I'm asked a question that requires more than an answer like this one."

Dante smirked at that. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "You ever wonder why you're here, Moretti? What makes you choose this life?"

For the first time, there was a pause. Leo's expression didn't change, but something flickered in his eyes. "I don't wonder. I have my reasons."

That wasn't enough for Dante. He stood and walked toward Leo, each step deliberate. When he got close, he could see the tension in Leo's jaw, the way his muscles tensed. Leo's professionalism was unshakable, but Dante was good at reading people. He could tell that something was hiding just beneath the surface.

"You keep your cards close to your chest," Dante said, his voice low. "But I wonder, what would happen if someone got close enough to see them?"

Leo didn't flinch. "No one gets that close."

Dante stepped back, satisfied with the hint of tension he had caused. It was a rare crack in the armor, but it was there. "You can stand down for the night. Get some rest."

Leo nodded and left the office. As the door closed behind him, Dante sat back in his chair, a strange sense of anticipation lingering. There was something more to Leo—something Dante was determined to uncover. And it wasn't just the thrill of the chase.

It was something deeper.