Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 75144 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75144 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
I nod, not sure if he’s looking at the road or me.
There’s a moment's silence, then Dominik asks, “Before all the shit with Mallon, did you want to be a mother?”
My voice is soft as I answer, “It has always been one of my biggest dreams. That’s why I took over caring for Ciara after our mother passed away.”
“You’ll make an incredible mother, Grace.”
“Thank you,” I whisper as I look at him again.
Dominik steers the Hummer onto a main road, and the ride becomes less bumpy, then he says, “If it’s something you’re worried about, we can go the artificial insemination route.”
Once again, I’m amazed by Dominik, and I stare at him for the longest time before I reply, “We can talk about it at a later stage.”
He nods, and silence falls between us for the rest of the drive to the airfield.
My thoughts revolve around the man sitting next to me. It’s crazy how much has changed since I married him.
If I’d gotten to know this side of him before the wedding, I would’ve married him with a smile on my face.
I would’ve agreed to him marrying Ciara. She would’ve been so happy here on the mountain.
We haven’t spoken again since I told her that Dad was killed, but as soon as I have a new phone, I’ll reach out to her.
Dominik said she also didn’t go to Dad’s funeral, and a part of me feels guilty, but I’m sure Uncle Gerry gave Dad a nice service.
It’s not like Dominik would’ve let me go anyway. Thankfully, the matter was out of my hands.
Turning my head to look at Dominik, I ask, “Did you know your father?”
“No.”
That’s sad. Dominik only has Evinka.
“You don’t have to tell me, but how did Evinka get the scar on her neck?”
He’s quiet for a moment before he answers, “We don’t have much information about what happened. Just that her family was attacked and her throat was slit. It damaged her vocal cords. It happened a few months before I met her at the orphanage.”
Lifting a hand to cover my mouth, I whisper, “Jesus.”
He lets out a heavy breath, then says, “She was raped when she was thirteen. The image of her running toward me half-naked is seared into my mind forever.”
Shocked, I can only stare at Dominik as my heart goes out to Evinka.
Now I understand why Dominik is so patient with me.
“Besides you, Evinka is the most important person to me,” he murmurs, “She’s the only person I trust.”
I nod, understanding the bond they share. “Hopefully, you can learn to trust me too.”
The corner of his mouth lifts slightly, but he doesn’t reply to what I said. I get why. Trust is earned.
I can see the entrance to the airfield and ask, “Where are we going?”
“Chile. With the layover, it should be an eighteen-hour flight.”
“Will it be just us?”
He shakes his head and points in the direction of the hangar where the private jet stands ready. There’s also an SUV, and I see Evinka standing with the four guards who escorted us the day we got married.
“What’s the meeting about?” I ask as we drive closer to the group.
“I’m forming an alliance to fight the bratva.” The vehicle slows down until it comes to a stop, then he looks at me. “Only you and Evinka know where my house is. Don’t ever share the location with anyone else. Not even Ciara.”
My lips part, and before I can ask the question, he answers, “Yes, I trust you, Grace. Don’t make me regret it.”
I nod quickly before opening the passenger door and climbing out of the Hummer.
Dominik gets out and looks at me over the top of the vehicle. “Hopefully, one day, you can trust me too.”
A smile pulls at my mouth as I say, “You’re halfway there.”
When he begins to walk, I hurry to catch up with him, and I don’t pull away when he takes hold of my hand.
Evinka’s eyes lock on our joined hands, then she grins wide and gives us a chin lift.
“Hi,” I say, and remembering what Dominik told me, I pull my hand free from his and wrap my arms around her.
She stands frozen for a few seconds before she returns the hug, patting my back twice before pulling away to look at my face.
I see the silent question in her eyes and nod. “I’m fine. Dominik has been nothing but good to me.”
She signs something that has Dominik chuckling, then he translates, “She says she’s glad to see I haven’t killed you, and who knew I could make a good husband.”
Evinka signals something to one of the guards and he holds a brand new cell phone out to me.
Taking it, I say, “Thank you.”
Evinka signs, and Dominik translates, “The phone is secure, and it also has Evinka’s number programmed into it. If anything happens to me, text her, and she’ll come.”