Disobedience

Slightly angry Italian man ahead.

Hope you all enjoy!

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Emilia was waiting for her on the steps in front of the literature building.

Enid smiled warmly as her friend greeted her and tugged her toward the bench they now viewed as their special spot.

The chill in the air forgotten as they chatted about a movie Emilia had watched the night before.

"Oh! I almost forgot. I have great news about our article!" The tan girl exclaimed, grabbing Enid's hand in excitement.

After she had found out the topic had already been claimed, she had sent Emilia a text letting her know they needed to keep brainstorming.

"What is it?" Enid giggled at her friend's enthusiasm.

Hopeful that she had a good idea.

"I asked around to all of the groups in our class and it turns out that none of them are doing an article on that boy's disappearance. In fact, they all said they hadn't even thought of it. Which means we can do it and be investigators!" Her dark eyes glittering with excitement.

Enid's brows furrowed.

Dante had lied?

"Who told you that the topic was already chosen?" Emilia asked curiously.

"Um, it was Dr. Romano actually." She responded, her thoughts still trying to decipher what all of this meant.

Obviously, he didn't want her investigating this.

But why?

Her fear rekindled as she remembered what she had first thought when she saw the newspaper.

"It must have just been a mix up." Emilia said, waving her hand as though to brush the topic away.

Enid made a soft noise of agreement, her heartbeat picking up.

Did this mean that they were in some way guilty?

She immediately felt bad for even thinking it.

No, there was no way her professors would harm a student.

He must have just been concerned for her safety.

They seemed to be intensely focused on that lately.

"I don't know, Emilia. Isn't it kind of dangerous?" She asked, her fingers tugging on the end of her curls.

"No, silly goose. I've seen all 14 seasons of Criminal Minds. I'm practically an FBI agent already." Emilia said, holding her fingers up as though she were a spy holding a gun.

"And I've already found a lead! Jessie's dad is the head of police and he's agreed to meet with us tomorrow so we can interview him!" The girl looked so excited that Enid felt guilty for refusing.

Was she really going to do this?

Writing an article on the disappearance of the boy who had assaulted her felt beyond strange.

But still, she knew he deserved to be looked for.

"Okay. What time?" Enid asked with a small sigh as Emilia squealed.

"We'll meet him at the coffee shop at three! Yay! I'm so excited. We'll be Sherlock and Watson. I bet you look amazing in tweed. We'll need matching outfits! Oh, and magnifying glasses..." The girl was practically bouncing as she rambled.

Enid smiled softly as the girl continued to list plans and ideas, trying to ignore the nerves tangling inside her.

She had a hard time paying attention during Dante's class that day.

He was doing a critique of their most recent narratives, highlighting his favorite and least favorite parts from their work.

Enid kept her eyes trained on the paper on her desk, but she could feel his eyes burning into the top of her head as he spoke.

Her heart had stuttered when he had entered the classroom, his brown hair perfectly messy and a devilish smirk on his face.

But then a swelling of emotions had distracted her.

Guilt, suspicion, worry, nerves.

Fear.

Truly, she was afraid.

Afraid of what they'd find.

Afraid of what it would mean if it turned out that these men she was falling for had...

She didn't want to think about it.

"Enid, Emilia. Have you chosen a topic yet?" His beautiful Italian accent demanding her attention.

She gulped as she glanced up, her eyes meeting his questioning green ones.

"Yes, we're going to write an investigative article on that boy who went missing. Interview the policemen and stuff. I asked the other groups and they're all doing different topics and I think it'd be really interesting." Emilia said in a rush, grinning at Enid as she spoke.

Enid watched as his eyes darted back toward her.

Anger and surprise flashing in them before he was throwing on a mask.

His pleasant smile fooling everyone but her.

"Fine. Your submissions will be due in a month's time. We'll do weekly check-ins to make sure you're staying on track." Her professor's words bitter as he gritted his teeth.

The pairs talked excitedly about their chosen topics as they exited the room.

Enid shoved her notebook and pencil pouch into her satchel, trying to slip out of the room before he could call her name.

Just as she reached the doorframe, his voice came from close behind her.

"Enid." His tone low, angry.

She sucked in a breath before turning to look at him for the third time that day.

"Close the door." His command sending a chill down her spine as she did as he said.

The room seemed smaller without her classmates, not enough space between her and his disapproval.

"I do believe I told you to write about something else." His remark laced with disapproval.

"Yes, but Emilia said that no one had claimed the topic..." She trailed off, her eyes flittering away from his nervously.

"That means you disobeyed me, little bird." Dante stepped closer to her; his arms folded across his chest.

Disobeyed.

It was the same word that Theodore had used earlier that morning.

Enid's heart pounded in her ribcage.

"I-I'm sorry." Her apology hushed.

His responding chuckle was dark, void of humor.

"Theodore said you were already due a punishment for delaying your move to the estate. And now this. I think you're going to have a very sore bottom tomorrow, little one." Dante said, reaching to pull her toward him.

"Sore bottom?" She asked in confusion.

"Yes, love. We're going to spank you tonight. You appear to need a lesson on listening." His soft caressing of her face a contrast to his words.

Enid blushed a bright cherry red.

"Spank me? What?" Her eyes wide with astonishment.

She wasn't a child.

She was 18 years old.

That meant she was an adult.

Definitely not someone who needed a spanking.

She tried to pull back from his embrace, but found his arms were like iron bands around her waist.

"Don't worry, I think you'll enjoy it." He smirked as he brushed his nose against hers.

Enid decided she'd dissect what that meant later.

"Why are you so against us writing about it?" Her question more of an accusation.

His eyes darkened as he sighed.

"Have you forgotten what that idiot boy did to you? Why would you want to investigate his disappearance?" Dante countered, his arms tightening around her.

Enid bit her lip as she thought over the answer, she still wasn't fully sure herself.

"Everyone deserves to be found." Her response was soft, and she found peace in the truth of it.

No matter what he had done, he did not deserve to have something bad happen to him.

The Italian man scoffed and nodded his head in disbelief.

"You are too pure for this world, amore mio. I'm sorry for trying to stop you, I just want to keep you safe. I couldn't live if something happened to you." His emerald eyes showcasing his honesty.

Her worries lessened as she stared up at him.

This was her Dante.

The man who was never without a book or a witty comeback.

She melted into his arms.

He tucked her head under his chin as she came down from her wave of emotions.

"You're still going to be punished, little bird." He murmured into her hair and she tensed.

"I'm going to the library tonight. I can't come to the estate." Enid's voice waivered as she pulled against his hold.

"Ah, yes. For your research. You'll find far more books relating to your topic of interest in the library at the estate than you will at the one here. We have a rather large collection." He said, pressing a kiss on the crown of her head.

"I don't have a choice, do I?" Her question met by his laughter.

"You're such a quick learner, love." He smirked.

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Who's excited for the immortal estate next chapter?

Comments fill my heart with joy.

All my love, Sappho 🖤