Dangerous In Black (two)

Nineteen

Dallas

Dallas felt lonely, their room only held one person now and Dallas had been going to bed for the past two days since her release from the clinic sobbing. She hadn't been eating properly and Dallas had to force her to eat her dinner last night. There were no news on Arturo's whereabouts and Dallas was preparing for the worst. Greece and Alessando had been by her side tirelessly and with her constant snappy attitude they received the brunt of her anger.

At the moment, she was sitting on the floor in their room wrapped in a blanket that smelt like Arturo. She sniffed it again and sighed, her mind drifting to the date, they'd never gotten to attend— the date Dallas had planned and suddenly her eyes welled up again, it was her fault, she wanted to go out and if she hadn't suggested it then they never would have been attacked and Arturo would still be here. She let out a muffled sob as she covered her mouth with the silk blanket.

"Dallas?" She recognized Alessando's voice as he knocked.
"You okay? Can I come in?"
She didn't answer but he opened the door anyway, she realized he did that often. When he noticed her tear stained face, she saw his gaze soften as he approached her and sat down beside her, his arms wrapping themselves around her. She felt oddly secure in his embrace and sighed.

"He was upset." Dallas said suddenly.
She saw Alessando give her a curious look, "Upset with what?"
Dallas didn't want to cry again but she sniffled anyway, "That you were upset with him."
Alessando's eyes widened, "He was upset because I was upset?"
"Yeah, it was really bugging him and he wanted to make it right."

Dallas saw Alessando turn away, his own eyes glistening, "I was never upset with him, I was just disappointed, sad even that he didn't share anything with me." Dallas listened as he spoke, "I've never really taken certain things seriously and I guess because of it Arturo thought I wasn't able to have a mature conversation but he never gave me a chance."
He paused, "And now he's gone." his voice smaller as he trailed off.

Dallas leaned into Alessando again, both seeking comfort for Arturo's disappearance before she closed her eyes and drifted to sleep. She awoke to Alessando shaking her frantically, "We got a note, Dallas."
"What does it say?"
"Arturo, he's alive."
Dallas let out an audible sigh of relief, "Is there anything else?"

Alessando nodded, "They want to meet, negotiate terms for Arturo's return."
Dallas nodded, seemingly relieved at the prospect, "When?"
"Tomorrow."
Dallas let out a shaky breath, "What's Allegro's plan?"
Alessando extended his hand, "He'd like to discuss it with everyone."

Dallas nodded and accepted his hand and they both exited the room and walked into the conference room, where Alejandro and Greece were already seated. At their approach, Greece flew off her seat and attacked her, barreling Dallas backward, "Have you heard?"
Dallas nodded, a faint smile on her lips, but she wouldn't grin until Arturo was in her arms again.

When Allegro made his appearance, everyone settled around the table and cleared his throat,
"Everyone has heard by now, they've decided that they want to meet to discuss Arturo's release."
Allegro sighed, "I do not know or have any idea on what they'd want in return."
His fists tightened, "But I'm prepared to negotiate anything for Arturo's return, prima la famiglia!"
(Family first) Then, I intend to rain hell on them."

His voice was deeper than usual and Dallas felt her pores raise at the vengeance in his voice as the others at the table nodded in sync to what he was saying. Dallas nodded her head last, tears threatening to break from her eyes.
"Dallas," she caught Allegro's gaze.
"You've been training, I know but— I will not allow you to exit the vehicle when the meet is taking place. You and Greece will be in a separate car, a few miles away from the site. Understood?"

Dallas bit her lip wanting to protest, but she understood Allegro wanted to keep her safe, however, Greece had other ideas, "Huh? You want us  away?"
"Allegro, that's ridiculous!"
Allegro narrowed his eyes at his girlfriend, "I speak for everyone else when I say none of us want anything to happen to either of you and I sure as hell don't want you in the line of fire mio amore."

At that, Greece rolled her the eyes, the term of endearment Dallas had never heard him use seemed to calm her down as she just huffed silently.
"The meeting is dismissed." Allegro waved his hand. Dallas stood up and smiled as Alejandro placed an arm on her shoulder, "You holding up?"
Dallas was surprised at his question, she noticed from the moment she met him that he was the most serious of the brother's and while she knew he didn't have a problem with her, she didn't know if he actually liked her...

"As best I can be. Alessando's been a real help." She explained.
Alejandro gave her another smile, nodding, which Dallas found herself smiling too. And suddenly Dallas couldn't help but ask,
"Did Greece really take a bullet for you?"
The question made him stop in his tracks, his expression wincing a little.
"Arturo tell you?" He asked.
Dallas nodded, "Yes," he shook his head as if it so hard to believe, "She did."

"That crazy woman did." He was smiling now.
Dallas had heard the story, Arturo had told her. She'd been curious of both Alejandro's and Greece's relationship and wondered how it came about and that's when she learnt of it and she couldn't believe her ears, Greece was nuts.
"She's my family." Alejandro said quietly before looking at her as well, "And now so are you."

Dallas smiled and immediately wrapped him in a hug which she was sure he wasn't expecting but none the less hugged her back.
"Tomorrow, we'll get him back." He spoke into her ear and Dallas only nodded.

Yes, yes they would.