Page 73 of Vita Mia

“Are you sure? I hear you two were quite close.”

“Then you must have bad hearing.”

The Générale chuckled. He shook his head smiling. “Here, we see where you and she traveled out of Italy to Switzerland. She stayed. You returned. And here, we have intel that you visited the country three more times to see her.”

“So?” Dominic asked.

“And here we have sworn witness statements that the doctor went missing shortly after she was visited by Lorenzo Battaglia. Have you heard from him lately?”

“You said he was kidnapped and murdered, how would I hear from him?”

The Générale nodded. “You do pay attention don’t you little worm. I know what you are. You aren’t the muscle, or the gun, you’re the brain. Right?”

Dominic didn’t answer.

“I know of your problems. I know of how the doctor helped you face your little shadow demons. And how close you two were. I also know the game she played for you, remember the game Domi? Leading Lorenzo Battaglia on a chase for his wife down to Africa, then making them run away without their baby. While the butcher kidnapped the child, and brought it back as a pet for Giovanni. I have to tell you, out of the clans in the Camorristi you’ve been very good at keeping your little games secret. But you are not clean Dominic Esposito. Esposito is your family name. Right? Who you really are? What happened to Dr. Sera Marchetti little worm?”

Dominic shrugged.

“Your memory fails you?” The Générale asked. “Should I help inspire the truth?”

The Générale glanced to his men and then nodded. One of them turned and went to the door. Dominic drummed his fingers on the surface of the table in anticipation, and in walked the Générale’s star performer. She glanced to Dominic and smiled. She’d changed only slightly. Her hair color went from scarlet red to bleach blonde. She wore a classic dark blue suit. It matched her eye color.

“Maybe I should leave you two alone to catch up. I look forward to hearing your side of the story soon.” The Générale collected his documents and then stood. “Doctor,” he nodded.

Sera nodded to the Générale in return.

“Ciao Domi,” Sera said.

“Ciao.”

“You don’t look surprised to see me?”

“I know the Générale had to have something special to bring to the party.”

“So, I’m special?”

Dominic’s gaze swept her body and returned to her eyes. “Only when you’re naked.”

The doctor crossed her arms over her breasts. “Flattery won’t save you. It won’t get you out of this.”

Dominic’s left brow winged up.

“Out? Out of what?”

She walked over to the chair and sat down. “Out of this trouble. Thanks to you, I’m no longer a doctor. Not for your family or anyone. I don’t have a license to practice. I’m a civilian. And I have a helluva story to tell.”

“What will you tell?”

“Everything. You heard him. I know who this family is. I know what you made me do to Marietta and Lorenzo.”

“I did nothing.”

“Dominic. I was there, remember? I know the trauma you went through as a child. What haunts you now. I even know Mirabella’s secret nightmares. I think you have a lot to be worried about.”

“Your version of our lives is only fiction. But by all means, tell it.”

“Really?”

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