by Ginger Ring
“Yes, but laptops cost money. I have no insurance so I’ve lost everything.”
“We’ll go to the bank in the morning.”
“You don’t understand.” She was on the verge of hysterics now and kept rattling on and on. “I couldn’t open a bank account without the proper ID. Madison paid me in cash. It was all in my apartment. All my money is ash right now. Gone. It’s all gone.”
Dominic pulled over to the side of the road and framed her face with his hands. “Look at me. I know you don’t care for Roman, but you are family because of Madison. You will always be taken care of.” He brushed his thumb across her chin. “I will take care of you.”
His eyes bore into hers. Even if she had any life left in her right now there was no use fighting with the man. It was a done deal so no use disagreeing. Her options were next to none.
“Everything will be okay. You will be okay. Do you understand me?”
All she could do was nod and he wiped her tears away with his thumb.
The phone in his pocket buzzed again but he didn’t move.
“You’d better take that.”
Dominic dropped one hand but kept the other on her cheek. An odd expression came over his face as he read the message. “It’s from Roman.”
“What is it?” Nothing would surprise her now. What else could happen?
Dominic handed her the phone and put the truck back in gear. Staring back on the screen was a picture of the two them outside of the fire. The Genoa Globe had taken their photo.
They looked like a young couple in love. Dominic’s arm was wrapped around her protectively. The headline read: Young Couple Lose Possessions in Fire but Still Have Each Other. Looking closer, she could see it had been shared more than a thousand times already. Roman’s text said they’d gone viral. Everyone loved a tragic story with hope, but right now she had none.
Taking a deep breath, Stephanie sat back in the seat. Exhaustion hit hard. “I don’t even have a car to get to work. With Madison gone, who will work?”
His phone buzzed again and he handed it to her. “Can you check that for me?”
“You trust me to check your messages?” She raised an eyebrow. He’d always been a private person but she did it anyway.
“I don’t text and drive. The last thing I need is to have an accident when I have a stiff in the back.”
She shivered and unconsciously glanced in the back. He wouldn’t be driving around with a body in the bed of his truck, but if he had the work van, that might be a different story.
The phone buzzed again. It was a text from Madison.
Tell Steph I send my love and get some rest.
Stephanie answered.
Hi, Maddy. It’s Stephanie. Thanks.
I’ll be home soon. Whatever you need is yours.
Thanks.
Roman and I told Dom to take good care of you.
She bet they did.
She turned the phone off. He’d been ordered to take care of her. How did one answer that—“Thanks for ordering the man I fantasize about to look after me”? She rolled her eyes. Had he been ordered to hold her like he did? Dom was fishing for answers, that was for sure. Steph slid over into the passenger seat, needing some distance.
“Everything all right? Who was it?”
“It was Maddy. She sends her love.”
“That’s good.”
Silence followed and she rested her head against the window. She’d been to his place in the country before. It was a small log cabin by the lake but still close to town. They were almost there.
After turning off the road, he parked next to his home. Steph jumped out of the truck and hurried to the water. Crickets and bullfrogs chatted in the moonlight. It was peaceful and calming, just want she needed.
Dominic didn’t need to say anything. She knew he was beside her. For how many years now had she wished there was someone in her life to comfort her in trying times—but not out of obligation.
“Are you helping me because you were ordered to?” Stephanie needed to know. Madison was the only person she trusted of the Caponelli crew.
“No.” He stopped in front of her. Blocking the view of the lake, he ran his fingers through his hair. “Roman wants you dead.”
She gasped and stepped back. “What?” Did she hear him right? What did he have against her? “What the hell are you talking about?” She’d just lost everything she had in the world and now someone wanted to kill her. Was that why she was here? It was hard to catch a breath.
“He wants you dead,” Dom reaffirmed.
No. God, no. Her heart dropped to her knees and she tried to focus. It all made sense now, yet it didn’t. She’d done everything to stay alive only to be killed by a lake at the request of her boss’s husband. Dominic was the Caponelli cleaner. She took a step back. He’d brought her here to kill her, and the fire just eliminated everything she had. It would be as if she never existed, and very soon she wouldn’t.
Chapter Seventeen
She turned to run but he grabbed her arm. “Where are you going?”
“If you think I’m going to just stand here and let you kill me, you’ve got another think coming.” Stephanie put her fists up. She wasn’t going down without a fight. Exhaustion was setting in but her resolve was strong.
“What? You think I brought you here to kill you?” Even in the dark, the shock could clearly be seen on his face.
“I guess the fire wasn’t enough,” she mocked. “What, did someone forget you were taking me on a so-called date?” Her eyes narrowed and her jaw twitched. Of all the stupid things for her to blurt out even if it wasn’t true, she was vulnerable and out here alone with him. “I can’t believe I fell for it. Fell for your stupid words. What an idiot I am.” Her eyes watered.
“No, you’ve got this all wrong.” He stepped back and shook his head. “I didn’t bring you here to kill you. Calm down.”
“But you just said that he wants me gone. Dead.” A chill ran down her arm and she drew a finger across her neck. “Now why in the hell would he do that?”
“He’s afraid you’re a threat to the family, to Madison. She’s the only reason you’re still alive.”
“I don’t understand,” she choked out. “What have I done? And what about all that talk about being part of the family because of Madison.”
“You are and you’ve done nothing wrong. It’s just Roman.” Dominic shrugged. “He takes anything he sees as a threat seriously.”
She dropped her hands. That jerk. “I’ve never liked him. I knew he was mafia the minute I saw him.”
“Now how would you know he’s a made man?” His eyebrow lifted.
It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him. That she’d grown up surrounded by them. That it was the only family she’d ever known.
“I’ve seen movies,” Stephanie bluffed, and he scoffed. The man didn’t seem to buy it for one minute. “But that still doesn’t explain why he has an issue with me.”
Dominic let out a deep sigh. “Roman likes to know everyone and everything that goes on in town.” He paced. “He doesn’t know you. We don’t know you. Who you are or where you come from. If he knew about what happened with Handlebar…” Dominic shook his head and looked to the sky. “What happened in his wife’s store…holy shit. We’d both be dead.”
Stephanie frowned as that settled in. He had as much to lose as she did. Did she have a partner in crime? Someone who might be on her side for once?
“Do you understand me now?” Dom stepped in front of her. Roman would blow a fuse if he knew what had happened, and Dominic was walking a fine line keeping that info from him.
“I know, I know.” She fidgeted with her hair. “But the fire? Did he do that? Did he blow my place up?”
He shook his head. “No. We don’t know who did it, but my guess is a meth lab blew. I had my suspicions about it and it was stupid of me to not take it seriously. You could have been killed.”
“What?” One of her neighbors had a meth
lab?
“Jasper just sent me a text that the tech guys confirmed that the drug dealers we were looking for had moved their operation there recently. Might be why the others who lived there had moved out. They knew something you didn’t. I just wish we’d known this sooner.”
“Oh my god.” She twisted a piece of hair around her finger. “That’s scary to think I could have been passing a drug dealer in the hallway every day and not even known it.”
Dominic stood staring down at her. His face was full of shadows in the moonlight.
“What am I going to do?” Things were spiraling out of control. She’d become complacent and comfortable in Genoa. “I have nothing and no one. And my boss’s husband wants me dead.” What else could go wrong? She didn’t have anywhere else to go and it wasn’t too long ago that she was determined to stay. It was surprising how one thing could throw a person’s whole life up in the air.
A knot formed in her stomach. All the self-defense classes in the world couldn’t fix this. Stephanie truly was alone and she wouldn’t wish that on anyone. Now she was out in the middle of nowhere with the only person who seemed to want to help. He may have been spreading it on a little thick earlier trying to get the truth from her, but Dominic could be trusted. She’d wanted their date to be real for so many reasons, but right now the last thing she needed was to care about anyone. Right now, she didn’t want to feel anything. She was empty.
“You stay with me.” Dominic’s voice echoed in the night.
“Because you’re ordered to keep an eye on me? What happens when Roman orders you to kill me? Is that why you took me on a ‘date’? To get more info?” She picked up a rock, walked to the shore, and threw it in the lake. A pop sounded when it fell through the surface.
He snapped a twig as he moved behind her. Dominic pushed her hair to one side and placed a hand on each shoulder. She shivered and he drew her closer. Heat radiated off his skin and he smelled like pine. A bullfrog croaked somewhere along the lake.
This wasn’t like him from everything that she’d heard. The man avoided relationships of any kind, but right now he was her only hope. Her only protector.
Dominic tightened the hold he had on her and then he turned her around. She placed a hand on his broad chest. His heart beat strongly beneath her palm.
“That will never happen. I promise you.” He tucked a piece of loose hair behind her ear.
“But what if it does? Will you be the one who will take my last breath?” Her voice shook. So many emotions waged inside her.
“No.” His deep voice sent a chill down her spine.
“How can you say that?” This evening had turned into a nightmare for her. She’d lost her car, her apartment, and all her money. Now her life dangled in the wind like a broken tree limb.
“No one will ever hurt you. I won’t let them.” He tipped her chin with his finger.
“Why?” A tear fell down her cheek. “Why would you do that?”
“I will protect you.” His hands rested on each side of her neck. His breathing as labored as hers. If only it was true, but right now she didn’t believe anyone.
“Why?” This made no sense. He was a loner. Didn’t date, didn’t care about anyone but the Caponellis, yet he would take her side against them?
“Because.”
Through the tears, she laughed. That was no excuse at all. Would no one give her a damn straight answer?
“Because why?” She wanted to know where she stood. What was his game?
Dominic remained silent. From the expression on his face, a mixture of emotions seemed to be struggling it out in his head.
She just shook her head and started to walk back to his truck. Maybe she could stay with Danny.
“Where are you going?” Dominic yelled.
“If you think I’m staying here with you when I have no idea what’s going on in your brain, you have another think coming. I’ll walk back to town.”
“Wait. Don’t go.”
Stephanie reached his vehicle and leaned against the cool metal of the truck. “Then tell me why you are protecting me from your boss.”
Dominic let out a deep breath, ran his fingers through his hair, and cursed under his breath
“I’m waiting.” She narrowed her eyes. “I’m out of here.” Stephanie turned and he grabbed her by the arm.
“Because I want you for myself.” He stepped in front of her and crushed his lips to hers like he did the other night under the street lamp. As crazy as it seemed, ever since she first laid eyes on him, she’d wanted him, wanted the cleaner for the mob. She was as messed up as he was. The life she’d run from was about to swallow her up again, but right now that didn’t matter. Nothing mattered except this moment.
The kiss was just as rousing as the last one. It wasn’t surprising, because Dominic did everything with intensity, with passion, with mystery. His arm tightened around her waist and he pulled her closer. It was a good thing as she’d probably fall over if he wasn’t keeping her upright. His mouth worked magic on hers. This wasn’t a sweet kiss. It was a possession. His heart beat fiercely against her chest. Every finger of his hand burned a print upon her back. He tasted of coffee and sweets. He tasted like home.
When his lips left hers, she whimpered. Dominic rested his forehead against hers for a moment. “Come, let’s go inside.” He took a step back. His hand was held out for her to take but she couldn’t move. Her gaze was glued to his extended palm.
“No, I can’t.” She was too vulnerable right now to be inside and alone with him.
“You can and you will.” His voice calm, as if trying to coax a pet to come to his master.
Her lip quivered and she shook her head. Stephanie looked into his eyes. He must have read it as fear, as his face softened.
“You need rest.” Dominic took her hand in his. “You sleep in the bed. I’ll stay on the couch.”
Her head tilted to the side. She really was too tired to stay upright. If he did try anything, she’d be too worn out to fight. “You swear?”
“You have my word.”
She was exhausted. Stephanie finally nodded and followed him to the cabin.
Dominic didn’t say another word as he flipped the light on. It was cool inside and hadn’t changed any from the last time she was here. Despite being rustic, the place had central air. Dominic walked over to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of whiskey from the shelf. After pouring a couple fingers into the glass, he placed it on the counter in front of her. “Drink.” From the look on his face, he wasn’t up for any arguing.
The dark liquid burned as it went down but it did warm her from the inside. When she finished, he motioned toward the bedroom. “Take a shower if you want. Towels are in the closet. If you need anything, let me know.” He leaned against the sink. His eyes said it all. She may have doubted his intentions but it was obvious he did care. He did have feelings for her even if he totally didn’t understand them himself. No one would get to her tonight. She had a warrior standing guard. Tomorrow, in the light of day, things may be different, but right now she was safe. Home.
***
Dominic
Letting her go off to his bed alone was one of the hardest things he’d ever done. Stephanie had always been pretty to him, but looking vulnerable and exposed like she did tonight was breathtaking. Did that make him a monster to want to prey on that helplessness? So be it. He’d been too long without a woman and she called to him like no one ever did.
Even taking her in his arms was both heaven and hell. He wanted to crush her to him, hold her tight. To feel her soft skin against his. To inhale that beautiful scent of flowers that followed her everywhere. She hadn’t resisted the kiss, which had his heart soaring and his dick as hard as nails.
It puzzled him to no end that she might want him. Most women just wanted the thrill of being with a killer, a bad boy to tell their friends about, but she seemed to see something in him that others didn’t. Stephanie was a good person. He knew it in his heart. She
was defenseless and in trouble. The fact was she deserved better than him, but Stephanie had no one else. Was that why she didn’t resist? There was no one to defend her but him. He’d always avoided relationships. They made one weak, but all he felt right now was strength and the determination to protect her with his life. He was her last hope and she was his. If he ever dreamed of having a woman again, it was now. Maybe it was time to bury the past before it buried him.
Being his woman may put her at risk, but from what he could tell, he was the least of her worries. She’d been running from something scarier than being with him and he was determined to find out what it was.
Dom sent off a text to Jasp, asking him to come up to his place. Carefully, he placed the glass Stephanie drank from into a paper bag. If she wasn’t going to tell him who she was, her fingerprints would. The squeak of pipes sounded as Stephanie turned the water on in the bathroom. He gripped the counter just thinking about her standing where he stood just this morning, all naked and wet.
His phone buzzed. Jasper would be there soon and it was a good thing. Dominic quietly slipped out the door and ran down the road. It felt good to be outside. He could still smell smoke on his clothes and he would need a shower also. Maybe he’d just jump in the lake, anything would be better than being that close to the woman that he craved worse than ice cream on a hot summer day.
The lights from Jasper’s vehicle were up ahead. He slowed and walked the last few yards.
Jasper stood waiting. “She all right?”
“As much as can be expected. Was it what we thought?”
“Yeah. Looks like meth heads blew themselves up. Dumbasses. At least we don’t have to worry about them anymore.” Jasper was dressed in a nice shirt and pants. Probably going on a late-night date just like he said.
“I need you to take this to Roman.”
“What the hell is it?”
“Stephanie’s fingerprints on a glass so be careful with it.”
