He felt like an ass when he yelled at her when she called him honey that night.
“Can we go somewhere private?” he asked.
“Of course. Come with me. We’ll go into my office.”
He followed behind her and shut the door. She walked around the desk as if to protect herself from him, making him feel worse.
“I wanted to apologize for my behavior a few weeks ago,” he said. He saw the surprise and then happiness on her face.
“I understand. It was a lot to take in.”
“May I sit?” he asked and indicated a chair in front of her desk.
“Oh, yes, please.” She sat down in her chair.
He got comfortable. “I’ve got a lot of questions.”
“I’ll answer anything to the best of my ability, honey.”
“I know.” He studied her for a moment. “I wish things had been different. I wish I knew about you guys a lot sooner.”
She nodded as her eyes glazed over with tears that she fought back. “Me, too. I mourned you for over twenty years.”
As sad as it was, he liked hearing the loss of him affected her that deeply.
“Did you know I have a lounge here in town, and I’m renovating another one?”
Aria smiled. “Yes, Trent told me that. I’m so proud of you.”
“I’d understand if you don’t feel comfortable after the way I acted, but I’d like to start helping you and the men with the business.”
He watched her eyes widen, and then a huge smile crossed her face. “Oh, my, I’ve dreamed of this since I first saw you. Of course, we would love to have you. We always need help with things, especially when we’re still closing down the human trafficking side. It’s taking a lot more time than anyone thought it would.”
Dominic gritted his teeth in disgust. “Fuck, I still can’t believe that bastard was into that. It really shouldn’t surprise me. The man was a first-class monster.”
“That’s one thing to call him,” she said and smiled. “Would you ever consider living here with us?”
“That’s something I also need to talk to you about.” He told her about what happened with Rebeka and how they got her out of the situation. “We’re now at the Macleans because Marino fears them, and he knows he’d be dead if he fucked with them.”
Aria nodded. “I know his father. We have some business dealings with him. If his son fucks with us, there’d be a war, and his father won’t allow that. His father would rather do business with us than have his son live. He’s got four sons. Victor is the youngest and has always been unstable.”
“This is good to know.”
“I can talk to the father if you’d like?” Aria said.
“No. I’ll take care of this. How’s the security around here?”
“The best it’s ever been. My guys won’t take any chances with me.”
“I think Rebeka and I will move in sooner than later. Will I be in the same room?”
“I’d like to give you a suite if you’re going to live here. What would you think of putting the first two bedrooms together?” Aria asked.
“I don’t want you to change things for me,” Dominic said.
“You’re going to be living here, honey. I want you to feel like this is your home. Designing your own suite might make you feel like a part of the family quicker. You can stay in the room you had before until the suite is finished. Get Rebeka to help with the decorating.”
“I think that’s a good idea,” he said. “It might help her settle in better.”