Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 69945 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69945 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
All I cared about now was getting Corey home where he would be safe.
33
COREY
On the ride home, I told Dom why I’d left his house. “I was so stupid. Why did I believe them?”
“Don’t blame yourself. I should have been watching over you. I should never have sent you upstairs.”
“I knew it didn’t seem right that you were sending me away no matter how mad you were at me.”
“Next time, listen to your instincts.”
“I hope there won’t be a next time like this.”
“Me too.”
When we got to his house, he fussed over my various bruises and cuts and made me submit to a doctor’s exam. At least the Marchesis had a doctor on call who could see me at Dom’s house.
He completely ignored his own injuries. I knew he was hurting after fighting Lisa, but he refused to be seen and insisted he just needed to take some ibuprofen and he’d be fine.
He was never going to stop being stubborn, but the way he was looking at me, like I was fragile and precious and he would do anything to make sure I wasn’t hurt, made me feel warm all over.
I hadn’t stopped shaking until we’d reached his house, and he’d wrapped me in a blanket and held me, refusing to let anyone else even talk to me. I vaguely remembered Valentino and Vito being there and being introduced to Lucien, but Dom had insisted on getting me to his room and told everyone that unless it was a life-or-death matter, we’d be discussing everything in the morning. Lucien had taken charge and forced everyone to leave us alone.
Once he had been assured that I would recover completely from my ordeal, he took me into the shower and washed me carefully. Despite being naked together under the warm, soothing water, there was nothing sexual about it. His touches were about comfort, about the need for closeness and reassurance that both of us were alive. He dried me off and tucked me in bed.
As I fell asleep with his body wrapped around mine, I felt safe and loved. We could talk about everything tomorrow, including what the future held for us. But would he be here holding me like this if he wasn’t ready to admit that he cared?
The next morning, I woke alone. I had a vague memory of Dom brushing my hair from my forehead and placing a kiss against my temple. Was that a dream, or was that him kissing me before he left to start his day?
When I dressed and went downstairs, I saw that Dom talking to a man I didn’t recognize. Dom motioned for me to come and join them. “Corey, this is X. I understand you’ve never been able to meet in person.”
X was probably six-five, broad-shouldered, and absolutely stunning. He held himself with the same air of command he’d always spoken with. I could understand how he called the shots, even with this mafia family.
“It’s nice to finally meet you, Corey,” he said as he shook my hand.
“Yes. Same. Thank you for everything you’ve done. I appreciate you helping me.”
“You’re welcome. And you will be very happy to know that after Lisa’s demise, we were able to capture and eliminate several of her accomplices. All the others have decided to start talking. So, with their confessions, your testimony will no longer be necessary.”
My heart slammed against my chest. “I’m not going to have to go to court?”
“No, you can return to your apartment and figure out your next step. Your firm has been dissolved, and the assets seized. If you need help finding a new position, I have plenty of connections. Just let me know.”
So that was it. I should feel excitement, relief, but all I felt was stunned, a chill running through me. My time with Dom was over, unless he asked me to stay.
I thought about how good it felt to have him wrapped around me last night. I knew staying was crazy, but I also knew that was exactly what I wanted. I didn’t want to go back to my apartment. I didn’t want to resume my life as a lawyer, working twelve-hour days, coming home, getting takeout, going over more paperwork, and then doing it all again. I wanted a life filled with a lot more joy.
“Are you all right?” X asked. “I know you’re probably still somewhat in shock from what happened last night. If you need someone to talk to about that—and I highly recommend you do take some time to process it—I can connect you with a therapist who is one of the best in her field.”
“I…I’m not sure.”
“Think about it. What you went through, what you witnessed last night, it’s not something that just fades quickly.”
“No, sir,” I said.
“Oh, I almost forgot.” He turned, and I realized my bag, the one I’d packed when I’d convinced myself I was going to a safe house somewhere without Dom, was lying on his table. “We were able to recover this. Your wallet’s there, your phone, and some articles of clothing and a few other things. Let us know if anything is missing.”