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Ditto walked into the VVIP ward where Dante was, his car key in his hands.

“Good morning boss” he greeted, bowing his head slightly.

The soft look that had been on Dante’s face when he had been with Mireille vanished, completely replaced by a stern, hard look.

“Who was it?” Dante questioned. He did not have to ask Ditto if the man was caught or not. Ditto would not dare show his face to him if he had not caught the man.

“One of Nico’s men” Ditto replied and Dante stared at Ditto for a few seconds before letting out a stiff chuckle.

“Nico” he called the name.

“He barely has anything and dared to go up against me? What a stupid move from him. The man who fired the shot?” Dante asked.

“We are awaiting your orders on what to do, boss”

“Chop off his fingers, then his toes and then finally his head, then send it to Nico. And I want Nico down beneath the earth surface in four days.” Dante ordered.

“As per your orders” Ditto bowed and turned to leave but turned back to face Dante.

“Should I have men watching after Miss. Mathieu in secret so they can protect her? It is quite obvious that our enemies have noticed she is quite special to you”

Dante did not bother debating Ditto’s words about Mireille being special to him.

“Do so. From now on, I am no longer the first priority to y’all. Mireille Mathieu is the first priority and I only come second”

“Yes boss” Ditto bowed and walked out of the ward with a small smile, knowing that his formidable boss had eventually fallen for someone.

About a minute or two after Ditto had left, one of his men who had been standing guard at the ward’s door walked in and bowed shortly.

“Sir. Bryan wants to see you, boss. Should we let him in?” He asked.

“Let him in”

The man walked out and Bryan walked in the next second with a bouquet of flowers in his hands.

“Do your men really have to stop me everytime I try visiting you?” Bryan asked, shaking his head slightly.

“That’s one of the reasons I don’t visit you often. Billionaires are troubles” he remarked and Dante chuckled. Bryan dropped the bouquet of flowers and sat on the chair beside his bed.

“How did you get shot this time around?” Bryan asked.

“I don’t get shot every week, Sir. Bryan” Dante replied.

“But it’s at least three or four times a year”

“That’s not so bad” Dante shrugged.

“For a mafia boss, I guess that is indeed not so bad.”

“Someone was trying to get rid of Mireille and I had to take the shot”

“Mireille? James little sister?” Bryan asked and Dante affirmed with a nod.

“That’s right. James called me a week ago to complain about how you took his sister to a party and exposed her to all of your mafia thingy” Bryan said.

“Fuck James. I am glad Mireille isn’t hurt though” Dante replied and Bryan narrowed his eyes at his friends.

“Are you just caring for her as James sister? Or is it something more?” He asked and for the first few seconds, Dante was quiet.

“I know it can’t be something more though. You will never get involved or fall for….”

“I did” Dante cut Bryan off, shocking him.

“You… Fell for someone? James little sister?” Bryan was clearly shocked by the revelation.

“Keep it a secret” Dante said in response.

“Do you think James would approve of a relationship between the both of you?” Bryan asked.

“He won’t and I won’t”

Bryan furrowed his brows in confusion. “What do you mean by you won’t?”

“You heard what I said happened yesterday. She was about to be shot and that was because of me. The closer she is to me, the more danger she will find herself in so James does not need to disapprove of me. I have disapproved of myself already” Dante replied.

“You are sure you can simply let go of her?” Bryan asked.

“Simply? Never but I have to. It is for her own sake”

“Dante” the door opened and Mireille walked in.

She glanced at Bryan, wondering who he was.

“Hey Mireille” Bryan waved at her first.

“You know me?” Mireille asked.

“He is Bryan from highschool. He is not memorable enough for you to recall who he is though” Dante replied and Bryan shook his head.

“I was friends with Dante and James in highschool.” Bryan got up on his feet and stretched his hand out for a handshake.

“Bryan” Dante called and Dante looked back at him. Dante had his eyes narrowed at Bryan, his gaze clearly threatening.

Bryan slowly pulled his hand back.

“Nice to meet you, Mireille” he said and Mireille offered him a polite smile.

“Same here, Bryan” she gave him another smile and walked past him to Dante’s side.

Dante’s phone rang at that moment and he reached his free hand towards the bedside table and picked the phone. It was James calling.

“Princess, drop the meal and excuse us” Dante said to her.

Mireille looked at him, the ringing phone in his hand and then at Bryan who looked away immediately.

“Don’t argue. You can come back in three minutes” he added and Mireille sighed softly, giving in.

She dropped the meals and walked out of the room, leaving Dante and Bryan.

Dante’s phone rang again and he picked it up this time.

“Hey”

“Hey man. How are you doing?” James asked.

“Quite good” Dante replied.

“And Mireille? Hope you are still on your promise, Dante?” James asked and Dante shut his eyes.

“Yes” he lied, his eyes still shut.

“Great. I called to inform you that you can come over now. I have settled everything over here and all we now need is the signature and presence of the all powerful Dante Romano” James informed him and Dante looked down at his stomach where he had been shot.

“When do I have to get there?” He asked.

“In a week” James responded.

“Alright. I will be there in a week. Make sure nothing goes wrong”

“And make sure nothing happens to Mireille too. Kindly and kindly make sure she is in safe hands before you come over here” James said to him.

“You do not have to worry about that” Dante said to him.

“Alright. Will keep you updated”

Dante ended the call and dialed Ditto’s contact. Ditto picked up at the first ring.

“Hello boss”

“Arrange for my discharge and tell my doctor to come over daily starting from tomorrow”

“Yes, boss”