The city lights blurred through the windshield as Dante's car tore through the night.
The docks were behind him now, a graveyard of ash and secrets.
The war was far from over.
But for the first time in hours, Dante was not thinking about blood.
He was thinking about Leo.
"Faster," Dante ordered, his voice a low, rough growl.
Etienne didn't speak. He just pressed the gas pedal harder, the engine screaming.
"You're really going back looking like this?" Etienne asked, looking at the blood on Dante's hands.
Dante didn't look at him. His eyes were dark and fixed on the road.
"If I don't," Dante said, "he will think I failed him."
Dante looked at his bruised knuckles and remembered Leo's warning.
Leo had been very clear: If Dante got even one scratch, he was not allowed to come inside.
The car screeched to a halt in front of the hospital.
The night was silent and cold as Dante stepped out.
Leo stood alone in the hospital lobby, looking like a king who had just won a war.
His jacket was gone. His sleeves were rolled up, showing his strong arms.
There was a small smear of blood on his wrist. It wasn't his.
Leo's phone buzzed. Once. Twice.
He didn't need to look. He felt the air change. Dante was here.
Leo watched the black Moretti cars from the glass window of the lobby.
"No one speaks to him before I do," Leo said into his radio. "He is mine tonight."
Dante walked into the lobby alone. No guards. No guns. Just him.
The doors opened. Leo was waiting, his eyes cold and hard.
Dante broke the silence first. "You didn't wait for me."
Leo's eyes traced the dirt and blood on Dante's face.
"I was busy saving your life," Leo said. His voice was like silk and ice.
Dante took a step closer, needing to feel Leo's heat.
"Did I disappoint you?" Dante asked softly.
Leo finally looked into Dante's eyes. It was a dark, dangerous look.
"I gave you a very clear order, Dante," Leo said.
Leo stepped forward until he was inches from Dante's chest.
"I told you and Etienne that if you got hurt, you stay outside the hospital."
Leo reached out and touched the blood on Dante's cheek with one finger.
"And yet, here you are. Inside my hospital. Covered in blood. Disobeying me."
Silence fell between them. Dante's heart hammered in his chest.
"I'm alive, Leo," Dante whispered, his voice deep.
"That is not the point," Leo hissed. "I told you to stay clean."
Leo grabbed Dante's chin, forcing the big man to look up at him.
"I made this place a fortress for you. I did all the work."
Leo's eyes darkened. "You think you can just walk in here after breaking my rules?"
Dante felt a rush of desire. He loved it when Leo took control like this.
"You don't get to ignore my words and expect me to be kind," Leo whispered.
Dante breathed out shakily. "You're angry."
"I'm not angry," Leo said, his grip tightening just a little.
"I'm deciding if I should let you stay in this building, or send you back to the car."
Leo turned away, his back straight and powerful.
"Go wash the war off your skin in the private room, Dante Moretti."
Leo paused and looked back over his shoulder with a sharp, sexy gaze.
"Because if you aren't clean soon, you won't be entering my bed when we get home tonight."
Leo walked away, leaving Dante alone in the quiet hospital lobby.
Dante stood there, feeling like he had just lost a battle to the person he loved most.
Behind him, Etienne whispered, "Boss... I told you he was serious about that order."
Dante didn't answer. He just watched the door where Leo vanished.
He felt a hunger that was sharper than any wound.
Dante Moretti had finally met the only man who could tell him 'No'.