I turn and find the handle in question. It blends in well with the shelf, hidden behind a pair of Christian Louboutin heels. Reaching out slowly, I turn the handle and hear the heavy metal click of a mechanism unlocking.
The wall swings forward, revealing—
A workshop.
On the other side of my walk-in closet is another massive room. It’s incredibly spacious with lots of natural light courtesy of the floor-to-ceiling windows along the north-facing wall. There are several large worktables lined up in rows on the opposite side of the room, carrying all sorts of draping tools, fabric pressing equipment, a big bin of thread, fabrics, and cutting mats. There’s at least five different dress forms in different sizes in the corner, along with a drafting table where I can bring all my ideas to life.
My brain blanks. This is all so…
“Amazing,” I gasp. “This is a whole-ass fashion studio. Did Dominic really tell you to put this together?”
“He told me to spare no expense. I hope you like it.”
“Like it? Iloveit.”
Elio sighs dramatically. “Thank God. Dominic would have killed me otherwise.”
I chew on the inside of my cheek. “You don’t mean that, do you?”
“Of course not.”
I meander over to the new sewing machine sitting on one of the workstations. It’s a Singer 9960, a computerized sewing and embroidery machine with almost six hundred built-in stitch patterns and one-step buttonhole styles. This bad boy retails for just shy of a thousand dollars — something I’ve dreamed of one day owning but could never even begin to afford.
And Dominicgaveit to me.
“When’s Dominic going to be back?” I ask. “I need to thank him.”
Elio scratches behind his ear. “Honestly? I’m not sure. Things are, uh… kinda tense right now.”
“Because of the shooting?”
“That, among other things. Sorry, there’s only so much I can tell you. Them’s the rules.”
I nod slowly. “I understand. Just… He’s going to be alright, right?”
Elio smiles. He has a very calming, assuring presence. “Dom’s as tough as nails. There’s no need to worry. Besides, if those fuckers come back and try to finish what they started, they’ll have to get through me.”
For some reason, this makes me smile. “You really care about him, huh?”
“Dom’s the big brother I never had. I’d do anything for him.” He turns, gesturing vaguely at the studio space. “And he’ll do anything for those he cares for.”
The thought gives me pause. Does Dominic care for me? Or is he doing this because he feels obligated? There’s no denying the electricity between us, but have we known each other long enough to care?
“Mommy!” Felicia calls from the other room. “Mommy, come play!”
“I’m coming, sweetie!” Before I can leave, however, Elio steps in front of me. I look up at him, confused. “Is something wrong?”
“I meant what I said before, Arin. I’d do anything for Dom.”
“O—kay?” I say slowly.
He dips in close, speaking in a low tone. “I need to know I can trust you. He’s generous to those he deems loyal, but are you? Loyal?”
Something in the air suddenly shifts. I’m no longer speaking to cheerful, goofball Elio. Now I’m face to face with Dom’s right-hand man. His sudden about face is jarring, but I’m not intimidated.
“I would never hurt him,” I answer carefully.
“That’s not the same as pledging your loyalty.”