Dante's Possession

UNKNOWN

Arlington. The temperature dips to sixty-four degrees, and the town’s folks are gearing up for winter.

Kids are playing near the gates of Kenzo’s new mansion, located on the outskirts of town, right behind Dante’s beach house.

Dante is in his office, leaning back in his chair, keeping an eye on his family through the security cameras installed in their home.

As far as they know, the Societa Oscura doesn’t have any enemies lurking around, but Dante still feels the need to protect his mother and sister.

He loves them dearly and wouldn’t want any harm to come their way, but he can’t shake off the fear that they might become targets of his enemies.

Kenzo’s nightclubs are fully booked for the rest of the year, attracting couples and singles eager to explore the BDSM scene.

Kenzo has bought all the properties along the strip, transforming them into BDSM clubs. Dante, his right-hand man, ensures everything runs smoothly.

They’re the big shots in town, with more money than they know what to do with. Skyscrapers are going up, and Dante and Kenzo are working tirelessly to shape their image.

The streets are patrolled by their men, keeping everyone in check. If needed, Dante and Kenzo will step in. Arlington is safer than it’s ever been.

Brothels are opening up, with women agreeing to participate only if a safety contract is signed beforehand. Trafficking rings are being dismantled, and men are no longer breaking the law.

Welcome to Arlington.

DANTE

“She’s doing well, man. I don’t know what they did to her, but Rebecca and I are more in sync than ever.”

I drum my fingers on the black leather chair in Kenzo’s new study, my eyes glued to the security cameras. I worry about my family.

My mom is oblivious to the nature of my job because I’ve kept it a secret. She doesn’t know about the dangers that lurk around her.

I had to install a tracking device on her phone to keep tabs on her. I know it sounds awful, but it was necessary.

I like Kenzo’s new house better. His old place was destroyed when the Mexicans blew it up. It was heartbreaking to see, but that’s life.

It was just a material loss, and Kenzo was relieved that Rebecca wasn’t inside when it happened.

Honestly, I’m glad last year is over. It was a wild ride. It’s a pity, though, because Kenzo was starting to love his new place. It was built just a few months before Rebecca disappeared.

The revelation about Rex was a blow to all of us—Kenzo, Rebecca, Trish, and me. I couldn’t wrap my head around it. Rex had been with the Societa Oscura before Kenzo and I joined. We thought he was loyal.

When Trish was found, there wasn’t much left of her. Kenzo had to make the tough call to send her to Draven for intensive counseling. I didn’t mind, but I had grown fond of her.

At least Kenzo has learned his lesson. He’ll never turn his back on Rebecca again, or let her go for that matter. Not that he’d want to, considering she’s exactly what he needs, and he is what she needs.

“I’m sorry, brother. I really am. But you need to let her live her life now. She’s been through enough pain and suffering in one lifetime. You can’t add to that.”

I lean back in my chair, and Kenzo sinks into the black leather couch, resting his head in his hands. He’s stressed out because Rebecca wants to see Trish, but he knows Trish will hurt her emotionally.

The bond between Rebecca and Trish was unique. When Trish came back, she was a completely different person, a shock that neither of us saw coming.

“At least she’s getting the help she needs now. She’s in safe hands with Draven. Just think about it that way.” I shrug. I don’t know what else to say about his situation.

“I guess you’re right.” Kenzo stands up and walks out the door, an old book in his hands. I shrug and leave his study. There’s no point in me being there if he’s not.

I walk into his kitchen, leaning against the doorframe, waiting for Kenzo to acknowledge me.

“Alright, I’m heading out, bro.” He nods, and I grab my keys and leave his house.

I slide into my BMW and drive out of the gates, not bothering to stop and chat with the new security guards on duty. I’m exhausted and need to get back to my mom.

She was devastated when I fell into a coma last year. I remember her holding me, crying, pleading for me to wake up. It still breaks my heart. I’ll never forget the look on her face when I woke up.

Just because I was still and silent doesn’t mean I wasn’t living a nightmare. I could hear everything, but no matter how much I screamed, no one could hear me. I never want to go through that again.

I pull up outside my house and use my keys to unlock the front door. I take off my suit jacket and hang it on the coatrack. I take my pistol out of the inside pocket and tuck it into the back of my black slacks.

I walk into the living room, hands in my pockets, and sigh.

Why the hell is Hazel here again? I swear she spends more time at my house than her own. I gave up on her a couple of years ago because she was sending me mixed signals. All talk, no action.

I remember seeing her on the bus, and she ran away from me. I didn’t try after that. She was too much work, so I deleted her number and cut her out of my life.

Safe to say, she’s not a part of my life anymore, even if she is nineteen now.

HAZEL

“Girls, Dante and I are planning to go out for dinner later.”

I'm perched on the couch next to Chloe, listening to Annette chatter about her and Dante’s plans for the evening. Somehow, I've been roped into their conversation and, apparently, their dinner plans.

“Oh no, it’s okay. Thanks anyway.” I flash Annette a polite smile, but she just shakes her head.

“I don’t want to impose. I’ll grab something on the way home,” I assure her, raising my hands in surrender. The last thing I want is to get on Dante’s bad side again.

Annette rises from her seat and saunters over to her purse. She rummages around before pulling out some cash and waving it triumphantly. Chloe chuckles, and I offer her a forced smile.

“No, Hazel. You’re coming with us,” Annette insists, slipping into the motherly role she’s played since my childhood. She’s always been the mom I needed, especially when my own fell short.

My relationship with my biological mom is strained, to say the least. She’s more interested in partying and causing a scene than being a parent.

My dad took off when I was just six, and my mom turned to booze and drugs to cope. I dread going home. Most of my time is spent here with Chloe and her warm-hearted mom, even if Dante isn’t thrilled about my constant presence.

I’m pretty sure the guy despises me, especially after I turned down his proposition for public sex. Who in their right mind would agree to that? I have my dignity to maintain, after all.

And yet, despite his overzealous nature, I can’t deny the pull I feel towards him. My stomach twists in knots at the thought of him, and my attraction to him is off the charts.

“Hazel, I won’t say it again. I know you don’t have any money, which means you’ll go without a proper meal. I’ve told you countless times that you’re welcome to live here.

“Why do you keep going back there? I just don’t understand.” Annette stands by the window, hands on her hips, the picture of a concerned parent. Chloe places a comforting hand on my shoulder and raises an eyebrow in question.

Her glossy black hair cascades down her back, and her stunning blue eyes always make me a little envious. I’ve always had a thing for blue eyes.

Chloe is the spitting image of her mom, right down to the blue eyes. Dante, on the other hand, has green eyes and olive skin, though he’s sporting a tan from his recent trip to Italy.

“Come on. What have you got to lose? We’re getting Italian tonight,” Chloe coaxes. I feel a bit guilty even considering it.

Annette has always been like this, even packing an extra lunch for me throughout high school because she knew I wouldn’t have anything to eat otherwise. She’s the epitome of a role model.

I tried to keep my distance when Dante fell into a coma, as they were grieving their loss. It was devastating to hear that he wouldn’t make it. He had a brain bleed, and the doctors said he’d never wake up.

But then Kenzo noticed something. I remember Dante waking up unexpectedly, shocking us all. But that wouldn’t have happened if Kenzo hadn’t moved him to his house.

It was a miracle, in my opinion. Even in the days leading up to that, Annette would check on me, making sure I was fed and had clean clothes.

I visited the hospital three times, and each time it was unbearable to see Dante’s lifeless body. It wasn’t the Dante I remembered, and the doctors told me he was already gone.

To them, he had died days before my visit. The machines were the only things keeping him alive. The nurses ran countless tests and told me it was time to say goodbye, so I did.

When I emerged from the room, Annette was there, handing me a sandwich and urging me to eat. She’s a gem, and this has been our little secret since I was seven.

I’m grateful for her, Chloe, and even Dante. The money Dante brought in helped support me too. He doesn’t know that, but it’s why I appreciate him so much.

I don’t want to overstep because I owe him more than he realizes. The child support my mom received? She drank it away and used it to buy pills.

It’s a sad reality, but it’s my reality.

“Only if you’re sure,” I tell Annette, and she nods. “I always am, dear.”