Chapter 22 – After the Chaos, Some Relaxation
Dante approached the group carrying Roxane in his arms, her head resting against his shoulder. He gave her a reassuring smile before speaking softly:
"Look, everyone's okay. No one in our group got seriously hurt. The only unlucky ones who got injured were It was just you and me.."
Roxane let out a long breath of relief. "So the kids are all right?"
"Completely fine," Dante confirmed, shifting her weight slightly so she wouldn't press on his own hidden wound.
Across the parking lot, Charlie was trying to calm a frantic Lenny.
"Relax, Lenny. Dante's bringing them back. The kid's tough. You of all people should know that. After all, he's the one who took care of everyone in that mess."
Lenny rubbed his face. "I know, but I can't help worrying."
Then Diane's voice cut through the tension: "Look, there they are!"
Every head turned. Dante strode toward them with Roxane cradled in one arm and little Becky securely in the other, both looking exhausted but unharmed. Lenny practically sprinted over.
"Are you okay, honey?" he asked Roxane, voice cracking.
"I'm fine, just cut my foot on some glass," she answered weakly.
He turned to Becky. "And you, sweetheart? You okay?"
Becky gave a tired nod. "I'm okay, Dad. It was scary, but Mommy said I was brave."
Lenny's smile was pure pride. "Of course you were. You were incredibly brave."
Dante chuckled. "Hey, not to break up the family moment, but can someone let me put these two down? My arms are starting to file complaints."
Lenny laughed, wiping his eyes. "Sorry, got too excited."
Dante gently lowered them. "Anyone know first aid to check her foot?"
Glória stepped forward. "I've got it." She knelt beside Roxane and carefully examined the cut.
Dante turned to talk to his parents, but before he could take two steps Jasmine and Amber launched themselves at him. He caught them mid-air, laughing.
"What's this about?"
Jasmine started scolding immediately. "What were you thinking, you idiot? It was way too dangerous!"
Amber opened her mouth to join in, then froze. Her eyes locked on the long, bloody gash across his chest, half-hidden under his torn shirt. "Dante… what is that on your chest?"
Jasmine followed her gaze and went pale. The girls' worried voices drew Charlie, Bella, and Sera running over.
Sera's hand flew to her mouth. "What happened?!"
Charlie's face darkened—he knew ordinary piranhas couldn't do that to Dante. Bella wasted no time. "You absolute idiot! You didn't even stop the bleeding! Think you've got blood to spare?"
She spun to the girls. "Bandages, alcohol, now. You two, with me!"
Jasmine and Amber planted quick, desperate kisses on Dante's lips. "Stay right there, honey. We'll be back in ten seconds."
He watched the three sprint off and smiled softly. "It's nice having people worry about me."
Sera, calmer now, asked, "So what exactly happened in there?"
Dante scratched the back of his neck, embarrassed, and told the whole story. Sera's anger flared when she heard he got hurt idiots who wouldn't run. "Why didn't those morons just flee?! Are they that stupid?!"
Charlie nodded grimly. "Same kind of people who film shootouts instead of taking cover…"
Glória finished with Roxane's foot. "Just a cut, not deep. No stitches. Clean, bandage, and it'll be fine in days."
Meanwhile, Bella, Jasmine, and Amber worked on Dante with practiced urgency—cleaning, disinfecting, wrapping. Bella kept scolding the whole time. "You're so irresponsible! Look at the size of this thing!"
Dante just grinned. "Yeah, but I'm being pampered by my gorgeous big sister and my two gorgeous girlfriends. Life could be worse."
Bella rolled her eyes. "Idiot brother…"
Jasmine and Amber clung to his arms, eyes still scared. He kissed each forehead. "I'm fine now, girls. Really."
Jasmine snapped, "How is that 'nothing'?!"
Amber added, "Think twice next time before playing hero!"
He looked pleadingly at Bella. She smirked while tying the final knot. "Don't look at me—I'm one hundred percent on their side."
Lenny stood up, voice steady. "Everyone, I know an accident happened, but we are not letting it ruin the vacation. The last memory our kids take from this trip can't be fear."
Erik backed him. "Lenny's right. No school of overgrown fish is ruining our kids' summer."
Kurt grinned. "I'm with them. We were having the time of our lives. Screw the fish."
Laughter and agreement rippled through the group. Dante raised an eyebrow. "So… dinner's on Mr. Lenny tonight?"
Lenny threw his hands up, laughing. "You got me. Dinner's on me. Let's go, people!"
Later, back at the lake house, everyone was wiped out. Lenny announced showers and rest before the celebratory dinner. Dante helped carry a sleeping Roxane and Becky inside, then headed for a shower.
Jasmine and Amber intercepted him at the bathroom door, eyes gleaming with mischief and gratitude.
"Now we take care of our boyfriend," Jasmine whispered, tugging him inside.
The three stepped under the steaming water, naked bodies pressed close. Dante's wound was safely bandaged, so the girls were careful, but determined.
"What are my two loves planning?" he asked, voice low.
Since you're hurt, we can't go all out… but we can still have fun."
Both said together:
"We're going to do something we've never done with any other man."."
Together they sank to their knees on the warm tile. Water cascaded over their backs as Jasmine took him deep into her mouth, slow and worshipful, while Amber lavished attention on his balls with soft lips and teasing tongue. Dante groaned, fingers threading gently through Jasmine's wet hair. The heat, the rhythm, the love in every movement—it didn't take long. He warned them with a ragged breath, and Jasmine took everything, swallowing eagerly, eyes locked on his. Amber immediately replaced her sister, and seconds later he filled her mouth too. She swallowed with the same adoring smile.
Dante pulled them both up, water streaming down their bodies, and dropped to his knees in return.
"My turn."
He sat them side by side on the shower bench, legs spread wide. He started with Jasmine—tongue flat and firm against her clit, two fingers curling inside her while his thumb circled Amber's tight entrance. Jasmine's moans echoed off the tiles. He didn't let up until her thighs clamped around his head and she shattered, body shaking, before going limp with a blissful sigh.
He turned to Amber without pause—mouth devouring her, fingers still working that sensitive ring. The double assault sent her over the edge fast; she came hard, a rush of warmth against his tongue, then melted into the steam, eyes fluttering shut.
Dante finished washing them gently, toweled them dry like they were made of glass, dressed them in soft pajamas, and carried them to bed. He slipped in the middle. The girls, who had only been pretending to pass out because they loved being cared for, curled into him immediately.
"There's still time before dinner," Jasmine murmured, kissing his bandaged chest.
"Let's nap a little, hero," Amber whispered, nuzzling his neck.
Dante lay between them, two warm bodies pressed against his, and finally let himself relax completely, eyes drifting shut as the sound of gentle breathing filled the room.