Page 65 of Full Throttle

“No, this conversation needs to happen,” I told her firmly. When she didn’t argue against it, I continued. “I’m sorry for hurting you in the past. I did what I felt was necessary.”

She put her tongue against her cheek, shaking her head in disbelief.

“I know you don’t believe me, but that’s why I did it,” I pushed, squeezing her shoulders. “I’m sorry for hurting you. I thought—I assumed you would’ve gotten over it eventually, but I was wrong. It cut deeply, and I apologize for that.”

The same look Mina gave me just a few minutes ago manifested on Dominique’s face. Something inside of me stirred. I didn’t like that look. Then, just as quick as it came, it was gone. Blinking, she finally nodded.

Looks like that was the only version of forgiveness I’d have to accept—for now.

“You’re right,” she said, stepping away from me and putting her hands firmly at her sides.

She was uncomfortable.

She used to stiffen up like that whenever Xander came around when we were kids.

“I’ll stay out of your way,” I promised.

Dominique gave me a flat smile. “I’ll do the same.”

There was nothing more to say, so, I gave her a nod and left the word without another word.

I made it into the living room to find Dontell there, leaning against the back of the couch. He looked up from his crossed ankles, studying me. “You good?”

“Yeah,” I muttered, plucking the cigarette from behind my ear.

He tipped his head to it. “Nasty habit,” he noted.

“Curse,” I corrected him as he pushed off the couch to walk me to out.

“You and Nikki…? Are you two going to be okay?” he asked once we got to the front door.

I shook my head. “No, I don’t think we’ll ever be okay, but for the sake of Oasis, we’ll manage.”

“There’s more to the story, huh?” he guessed, giving me a small smile.

Inhaling through my nose, I nodded. “There’s always more to the story.”

Minutes later, I pulled up to Sullie’s, parked around back, and headed up to the loft. Doing a quick sweep, I ensured that everything was shut down and locked before I grabbed my shit and headed out to go to the house I’d recently purchased over the holidays.

The entire drive across the city, all I heard was Kavi’s laughter, reminding me of the sins I committed to save my brother. As I pulled into my driveway, flicking the button for the garage door, my hand tightened on the steering wheel as his voice echoed in my head.

I’ll get her too, Cain. It's only a matter of time.

That blacked-out tattoo over my heart began to tingle as memories of ruthless killings emerged, snapshots of blades, guns, and blood flashing before me. With a groan of frustration, I pulled into the garage, and pressed my palms into my eyes as the door closed.

The images wouldn’t go away.

Then, I heard Dominique calling out for me in the distance.

Lifting my head, I felt like I was drowning, gasping for air as I blinked hard, trying to get them out of my head.

It was too late.

All I could see was Dominique chained to wall in a dirty T-shirt, scrapes and bruises all over her arms and legs. Her hair was matted, hanging down over her bent head, her body heaving with sobs. She called for me again, but I couldn’t get to her. I couldn’t move.

When she lifted her head, fear clutched its talons around my neck as a voice whispered into my ear. “I think I made her prettier, don’t you?”

Her face had been slashed from cheek to cheek, blood flowing from the wound like an endless waterfall.

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