Page 142 of Dominance

Adri broke into a van nearby as soon as we were clear and rushed her to the ER. I swear, that man is made of something stronger than his namesake. Even knowing his fears, his insecurities and quirks, I am always amazed at the way his mind works. The way he keeps himself together in catastrophic situations.

For the millionth time I wonder if I will survive. I wonder how things would be if I had just ignored my father’s letter and moved somewhere else.

I’d probably be on the run, like my mother was. Always looking over my shoulder for him.

Anna deserves better. I deserve better.

And that ship has sailed.

I can’t walk away now no matter what. Because I met Adriano, and he’s as much a part of who I am as my favorite songs, my fashion sense, or my career.

Except he’s more than all of those things combined.

He’s the only person I would throw all of that away for.

“Here, take a drink.” Peggy offers me a glass of champagne, and for a split second I almost take it. It would help so much with the nerves. Then I remember the “state” I’m supposed to be in.

Even if Peggy, or anybody else doesn’t know. Dom may have eyes on me.

And we cannot afford to slip up now.

If he discovers I’m not pregnant, he’ll go ballistic. Even if he does need me to produce an heir. Pushing him too hard, too far, might result in him lashing out at Adriano, or someone else.

Like Anna.

Smoothing out the front of my dress, I turn slowly, facing the mirror.

It’s a dream dress.

Low cut in the front, simple, yet elegant. The swooping off-the-shoulder tooling accents my collarbones, while the sheath cut silhouette punctuates my curves, flaring just a bit more than usual at the bottom, flowing back into a sparkling train draped with a neat bustle in the back.

Sandra is a miracle worker.

As if on cue, a knock at the door has a thrill rushing through me, has me rushing to open the dressing room door. “San, you made?—”

“Hello, Gloria.” Dom’s immaculate, overly white smile greets me instead.

“Dad. I was expecting-”

“You mean you are expecting,” he snickers, winking and sweeping into the room without an invitation. “I like the dress. Might have gone with something a little more modest, though.”

This coming from the guy that has half-naked women hanging off of him at his club five nights a week.

“I highly doubt you came to critique my dress choice. Did you need something?”

“Don’t be trite, Gloria. I wanted to see my daughter on her wedding day. To run through the course of events and make sure we are on the same page.”

“It almost sounds like you think this isyourwedding day,” I snap, a little too hot.

“My checkbook would agree with that statement. I didn’t realize that you’d be wearing such a sickly shade of bitch today. Are you feeling alright? A little under the weather?”

“I’m feeling fine. I’m just a little irritated that someone tried tokillme last night.”

Dom’s eyes flare slightly at the admission and the hint of accusation in my voice.

“I was worried sick; I’ll have you know. Adriano vanished. I had no check-in from either of you that you made it home safely. But I had no idea?—”

“I’m sure you were just agonizing by the phone.”

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