“You need to tell me what’s going on, Dominic,” I demand. “Who are these people who keep attacking us? Did that man really kill Elio?”
Dominic turns, his anger apparent in the tightness of his shoulders and the hard line of his lips. “What the hell were you thinking? Why would you go there?”
“I had a meeting with Miriam. She wanted to get drinks and talk business.”
“And Elio didn’t stop you?”
“Why would he?”
Dominic grits his teeth. “Nothing.”
“No,” I snap. “Notnothing. Don’t you dare say it’s nothing. This is officially the second time in as many days that someone’s attempted to kill me. You owe me an explanation.”
“I can’t tell you, Arin.”
“Fuck your code!” I exclaim. “I don’t give a damn if you’re some bigshot Mafia man—”
“Jesus Christ, lower your voice.”
“Like hell I will! You dragged me into this mess. I refuse to be kept in the dark. If you don’t start telling me what the hell’s going on, I’m leaving with my daughter and never coming back.”
Dominic’s face falls at this, his discomfort palpable. He’s silent for a long time before he finally says, “Fine. I’ll tell you. But not here. Let’s pick up Felicia and take you both home.”
“And then you’ll tell me everything?”
He nods, though he looks pained. “Everything.”
Chapter 21
Dominic
I’ve committed a cardinal sin by revealing what I know, but Arin’s threat of taking our daughter and once again slipping from my grasp scared me awake. I just found them. How could I stand to lose them so soon after?
Judging by the look of horror on Arin’s face, I might lose them anyway.
“This is crazy,” she whispers.
“I have everything under control.”
“Do you? Really? Because from where I’m standing, it looks like everybody has it out for you. Renato, your own boss… And now Elio’s dead—”
“We don’t know that.”
“That man said he slit his throat.”
“Until we find his body, nothing’s set in stone. The bastard could have been bluffing.”
Arin sobs into her hands, her shoulders shaking. She’s seated on the couch; the only light on is the side table lamp. Felicia’s fast asleep in her room, none the wiser.
I’ve got Johnny and the rest of the associates under my command keeping a diligent watch of the perimeter, on high alert. Not only do I have Renato to worry about, but if what Milo said was true, my own captain is plotting to stab me in the back. I don’t know who to trust and that has put me on edge.
That’s why I can’t even begin to imagine what’s going through Arin’s head right now.
I crouch before her and place a gentle hand on her knee. “You can’t repeat what I’ve told you to anyone.”
“Why would I? I’d only be putting them in danger, too.” She shivers. “Do you think Miriam was in on it, too? I didn’t question her when she asked to meet at the bar…”
I shake my head. “No, I don’t think she’s in on it. Her background checks out clean. It could have been a coincidence, but…”