Natalie released her embrace and looked into Dante’s eyes. “I’m so sorry for you,” she said softly.

 

Dante wiped the tears from her face. “Why sad? Death and loss are common in the underworld. The lives of subordinates are just like cannon fodder.”

 

“Do you think of them that way?” Natalie asked.

 

The man was silent. Natalie sighed. “It seems like the underworld is indeed a terrible place,” she muttered before finally stepping away.

 

Dante watched Natalie walk away. His eyes were closed, and his hands were clenched into fists. After a moment, he got up and walked over to Alex and Lizzy. The girl was already bandaging the gunshot...