Page 41 of Dangerous Games

“Isn’t going to happen again. Your brother is ready this time.”

She stares at me for a moment and then lays her head back down. She is so different now, not questioning me anymore, not angry at all. To think a week ago she couldn’t stop herself from screaming at me, and now she curls up on my chest feeling safe.

I reach into my desk drawer again; this time it’s not a gun I’m after. I rifle around a bit amongst the paper clips and thumbtacks, and I find what I’m looking for. I slip the tip of my finger into the ring and pull it out, shutting the drawer again. As I hold it in front of Nanette’s face, she gasps and covers her mouth.

“I’ve seen that…”

“Yes, because you went through my things.” I brandish the diamond and pearl ring that was featured on my mother’s hand in the photos in the old picture album. “It is my mother’s ring. I took it from her finger as I lay bleeding out next to her. Put it on.” I hand the ring to Nanette, and she hesitates.

“Dominic, I—”

“Put it on,” I order, and she sits up, offering a look of shame. She slides the ring onto her finger slowly but doesn’t make eye contact with me. “You’re going to be my wife now.”

“Is that a proposal?” she asks, turning her chin up so that our eyes meet.

“It’s an order.”

A smile curls the corner of her lip, and she leans down to kiss me, but the moment our lips brush against one another, I wince in pain. She braces herself on my chest and the blood flows more quickly out of the wound.

“Fuck, I’m sorry,” she says leaping up, and I chuckle, coughing a few times.

“It’s okay. The doctor is on the way to do some stitches.”

She grins at me and grabs some tissues to cover the wound. “It’s about time you do what I tell you,” she jokes playfully. I can’t wait to make this woman my wife. It’s the only thing left on my list.

24

NANETTE

This garden has quickly become my favorite place on Dominic’s property. I sit at a small wrought iron patio table, painted white to match the trellis under which it sits. The garden is a beautiful oasis filled with blooming flowers of every color imaginable. The air is thick with the sweet scent of jasmine and lavender. A small fountain burbles in the corner, its gentle melody providing a backdrop to the chirping of birds and buzzing of bees. The sunlight filters through the leaves of the trees, creating dappled patterns on the ground below. It is a peaceful retreat, a place to escape the chaos of the world outside.

The past week has been a complete hurricane of emotion and problems. I've barely had a chance to catch my breath, let alone process everything that’s happened. My mind keeps going back to that warehouse, replaying the events over and over again like a broken record. But as I sit here in this tranquil garden, I finally feel like I can start to let go of some of that trauma. My mind can rest, even if it’s just for a little while.

But my tranquility is shattered when I hear the sound of footsteps crunching on the gravel path. Lost in my thoughts, I didn't notice the figure approaching until he's standing right in front of me. I look up to see Jimmy, a small smile playing on his lips. Dominic stands behind him, stoic as usual. Jimmy welcomes me with open arms when I pop out of my seat to run to him. I feel like it's been months; in reality it's been only days.

"Oh my god, I thought I'd never see you again," he says, wrapping me in the tightest bear hug I've felt in years. He squeezes me so hard I can barely breathe, and I pat him on the back to break free.

I take a step back and look at him, noticing the bruises on his cheek and the cuts on his knuckles. My heart sinks. "What happened to you?" I ask, my voice shaky. While I'm grateful he's alive, I'm upset he's been hurt. My only thought is about his well-being. That's the way it's always been, ever since that night with Gallagher.

Jimmy shrugs. "Just a little scuffle. No big deal." He brushes off my concern, but it doesn't help me relax.

Dominic clears his throat, drawing our attention. "I'll leave you two to catch up. I have some business to attend to," he says before walking away.

Jimmy takes a seat across from me and I notice that he's fidgeting with his hands. "I'm sorry, sis," he says, his voice low. "I didn't mean to drag you into all of this."

I shake my head. "Don't be ridiculous, Jimmy. I'm just glad you're safe and sound." I sit on the edge of my seat, ready to hear the gory details. I know how bad things went on my end; how dangerous it was. Jimmy can't even look me in the eye right now, shame over getting me tangled up in his ordeal. It's over. That's all I care about.

He nods, but I can see that he's still holding something back. "There's something else," he says, hesitating. I notice a different look in his eye, one that puts me more at ease the minute his gaze meets mine.

"What is it?" I lean forward, watching his expression carefully.

Jimmy takes a deep breath before speaking. “It’s Gallagher," he says, voice steady and even. I've never heard him say the man's name with such a calm tone. He doesn't even break eye contact.

I nod slowly, my heart racing. That night is still fresh in my mind, and the thought of that man sends shivers down my spine. After the encounter at that restaurant, he's been in my dreams, in my waking hours; he haunts me and makes me feel paranoid. Dominic promised to help me get my revenge. Is this how?

"I found him," Jimmy continues, his voice low and dangerous. "And I took care of him."

My eyes widen as I realize what he means. "You...you mean you...?" I feel my breath catch in my throat.

---