Page 143 of Dominance

“I assure you, Gloria, that if I had known you were in danger, that the child was in danger, I would have come running. You should have called me.” He raises one finger. “And there will be retaliation, mark my words. No one comes after my kin.”

“No need. I left them a message, loud and clear.”

“Who would have the gall to do such a thing?”

“Vito Carlote. He replaced our party bus driver with a hit man.”

“That cowardly bastard! At least have the balls to send someone afterme!”

I’m a bit shocked at his vehemence.

After a moment of tense silence, he tilts his head, narrowing his eyes. “How is Adriano? I haven’t seen him this morning.”

“He’s fine. Showed up just in time to pick me up and get Sandra to the hospital.”

“And you didn’t have any other trouble on the way?”

“Why do you ask?”

“No reason. I can only assume if they sent someone after you, they might have sent a backup plan, or possibly another hit on Adriano, as well.”

I let a small frown crease my brow, cocking my head to the side as I play the events of the night again.

“That explains the three cars that tried to run us down and the gunmen that pincushioned the car with bullets,” I muse, watching his reaction.

Dom pales, hiding his flinch, but not quickly enough.

“You son of a bitch,” I whisper.

“You were supposed to be on the party bus on the other side of town.”

“And Adriano? Where was he supposed to be?”

Dom grimaces, his shoulders dropping a fraction, more put out than shameful. “He was supposed to get fed up with the outrageous party and pushy bar patrons. Or get hammered and need a ride home,” he grits the explanation out in a terse growl.

“Why? Why would you want to kill him?”

“Because he is no longernecessary. He fulfilled his purpose.”

As hard as I try, I can’t contain the rage building in my gut, souring my mouth. My fists ball up in the fabric of my dress.

“And this? My wedding?”

“Would have been a heart wrenching occasion, discovering that the groom never showed, that he abandoned you at the altar, carrying his child. Truly. Despicable.” All of Dom’s pretense, emotion, and previous compassion for my ordeal is gone. He’s ice cold.

“And all the excuse you need to lock me up at the compound for my own safety.”

“Hm. As naive as you are, Gloria, no one ever said you were an idiot. Well…you did fall for that worthless, traitorous fool.”

“That’s rich coming from you.”

“I’ve never hid who I am from you. Can you say the same thing about Adriano?”

“Yes.”

“So you admit that youknewhe was an asset for the feds?” His eyes glint with a spark of anger, vicious satisfaction. Like he cornered his prey.

“What? That’s ridiculous. Adriano would never trust the FBI.”

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