Page 58 of Hard Wired

Chapter Eighteen

They wandered into the kitchen. Tanner raised an eyebrow at Dominic, but Sylvie’s friend didn’t remark on the fact that they’d been missing.

Dominic smiled back at Tanner, meeting the man’s curious gaze. He wondered what the bodyguard was really thinking.

“I was just telling our guest what I’m making for dinner tonight.” Maureen was pulling ingredients out of the fridge and freezer. “Crawfish étouffée, just like I promised Sylvie the last time she visited, though I certainly hope tonight’s dinner is more successful.”

Sylvie sat down at the counter next to Tanner. “I was sorry I missed your crawfish before. I was afraid you might’ve used up your supply.”

“Oh, no chance of that, dear. Dominic and I didn’t get around to much fine dining that evening.”

They were all laughing and joking about the fact that they’d nearly been murdered the last time Sylvie was here. Maybe that was better than dwelling, yet again, on how terrible that day had been. Or how Dominic deserved the blame.

Yet if Sylvie knew what was good for her, she would be scared. She would’ve run away from this place and never come back.

But then, she’d started up those text conversations, and he’d kept them going, as if he had any business dragging her deeper into his life. Selfish, that’s what he’d been. He’d wanted to see her again. And now, here she was.

Dominic hadn’t even meant to invite her inside. When she’d arrived on his doorstep a few minutes ago, he hadn’t intended to meet with her at all. But then, he couldn’t resist seeing her, talking to her. And the moment she’d said she had missed him, there was no way he could turn his back on her.

But what the hell am I doing?he asked himself. His uncle’s spies would’ve seen Sylvie come into the house. They’d know she was here and assume he was working on Sandford’s instructions. But he’d already decided he wasn’t going to install that stupid program on her computer.

He still had that little flash drive stashed in a cabinet upstairs. Why hadn’t he just thrown that fucking thing away when he had a chance?

He was starting to sweat. “I’ll be right back,” he said to the others and spun on his heel.

Dominic went into the bathroom and splashed cold water on his face. He looked at himself in the mirror. It was the same face he’d seen there for years, the lines around his eyes gradually getting deeper, and the set of his mouth growing harder.

Could he seriously be considering this? Inviting Sylvie into his home, into his bed, just so he could give Uncle Charles what he wanted?

Fuck. He didn’t want to do it.

But if his uncle would leave Dominic alone… Leave Raymond alone…

Why else would he have invited Sylvie to stay the night if not to have this chance?

No. I can’t.

But was he capable of it? Of course he was.

Just like he knew he was capable of killing a man with his bare hands if he had to, even though he’d never done it before. Dominic’s uncle might think he was nothing but a hedonist, interested only in pleasure. But he was a survivor. That was how he’d lived through his membership in the Crane family and the Syndicate. He’d tried to hold onto his humanity at the same time so he could face his own reflection in the mirror, like he was barely able to do right now.

He was capable of betraying Sylvie. But would he?

He couldn’t say for sure.

Dominic washed his hands and left the bathroom. He passed through the entryway, where Sylvie had left her bag. He knew her laptop would be inside. It had to be if she’d been offering to work on the security system.

He was staring at it when Tanner walked into the entryway. Dominic’s eyes darted up to the other man’s.

Tanner cocked one hip. “Sylvie said we’re going to be staying the night. Did you know that invite included me?”

“I figured. I’d rather have you here looking out for her in case there’s any trouble.”

“You expecting trouble?”

Dominic shrugged. “No, but it usually finds me. Sylvie is willing to take the risk. It’s her choice.”

Tanner nodded. “Just so you know, I don’t have a problem with you. Or with whatever you’ve got going with Sylvie.”

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