CHAPTER 32 – THE CONFRONTATION
I stormed out of the apartment, Adrian hot on my heels, both of us still tense from the ridiculous scuffle that had just occurred. The night air hit my face, cooling me down slightly, but it did nothing to calm my pounding heart.
"Adrian, please!" I said, grabbing his arm and stopping him. "I'm sorry about everything that happened, but you need to go home. Now."
He frowned, stepping closer. "I'm not leaving, Auri. Not while he's in your apartment. Dante—he has no right to claim you."
I exhaled sharply, frustration bubbling up. "Adrian! I don't care who claims me! Please, just… go. You've done enough for tonight. I promise, I'll deal with him. Please just go!"
He looked at me, eyes softening slightly, but his jaw remained firm. "You know I can't just walk away."
I pressed both hands on his chest, trying to make him understand. "I don't want a fight tonight. Just go. For me."
Adrian hesitated, then sighed, finally stepping back. "Fine… I'll leave for now. But don't think this ends here. I'll keep trying, Auri. Until you fall for me."
My stomach fluttered at his words, but I didn't answer. I just nodded and watched him walk away, the sound of his footsteps fading into the night. Relief flooded me, but it was short-lived.
I returned to my apartment, heart still racing, only to be greeted by Dante—standing there, dark eyes blazing, face tight with fury.
"You let him in?" he growled, his voice low, dangerous, shaking the walls around me.
I swallowed hard, feeling the familiar pull of fear, desire, and frustration all at once. "Dante… I didn't mean for him to—"
"No! You didn't mean for him to what? Walk into my territory? Into your apartment? Into your life?" His voice rose, sharp and commanding, making my knees weaken slightly.
"I… I wanted him to leave! I asked him to leave!" I tried to explain, but he wasn't listening.
Dante took a step forward, closing the space between us. "You asked him to leave? Auri… do you know how it feels to see him here? In your apartment? While you—while we—are supposed to be together?"
"I did what I could!" I shouted, frustration building. "I want him to stop too, Dante! I want him to go, just like you want him to go!"
His voice rose even more, echoing through the room. "You… don't get it, Auri! I can't just… let him do that! I won't! I can't afford to lose you!"
My body trembled, tears beginning to fall as the intensity of his anger overwhelmed me. "Dante… please… stop shouting!" I whispered, voice breaking. "It's too much… I—"
The moment he realized I was crying, his expression shifted instantly. Horror, guilt, and regret replaced the fury in his eyes. He cursed under his breath and crossed the room, pulling me into a tight, protective hug.
"I'm… I'm sorry," he muttered, voice low, shaking slightly. "I didn't mean to… I just… I can't lose you. Not ever."
I leaned into him, my own tears falling freely now, feeling hurt and vulnerable but also… safe, in a strange, complicated way.
"I… I don't understand, Dante," I whispered, my voice trembling. "What's the real score between us? I'm confused. You don't… love me, right? You only want me. You never said you love me."
He pulled back slightly, his hands still holding my shoulders firmly, eyes dark and conflicted. "I can't… say if it's love yet. Maybe it is. Maybe it isn't. I… don't know. But I do know one thing—losing you? I can't do that. I won't do that."
My heart raced, emotions swirling like a storm. "So… what does that mean? You're just… claiming me?"
He shook his head slowly, voice softening but still intense. "No. Not claiming. Protecting. Wanting. Needing. Call it what you will… but I can't afford to lose you. I can't risk you being pulled away—by him, by anyone. You… you're mine in a way I can't explain yet."
I swallowed, heart hammering, feeling both frustration and relief. The intensity of his words, the raw emotion in his eyes, made my chest tighten.
"You're insane," I whispered, letting a small laugh escape despite the tears.
"And you… are impossibly stubborn," he countered, smirking despite the lingering tension. "But I love it. I love you. Even if I can't call it love yet… it's everything I feel."
I shook my head, still trying to process. "I… I want to believe that. But… I need to know you're really here… not just… wanting me for yourself."
His expression softened, vulnerability slipping through the cracks of his normally confident façade. "Auri… I don't know if it's love yet, but I know one thing—I need you. And I can't let anyone take you away. That's all I can promise… for now."
I rested my head against his chest, letting his warmth comfort me as tears continued to fall. "I… I'll try to believe that," I whispered.
He held me tighter, a protective arm around my waist. "Good. That's all I need… for now. We'll figure the rest out together, Auri. Just… don't run from me."
I shivered slightly, but a small smile curved my lips. I felt a strange calm. Confused, yes. Overwhelmed, absolutely. But safe. And with Dante holding me close, I knew I could face anything—even Adrian, even gossip, even the chaos that seemed to follow us everywhere.