Chapter thirty-seven
If you asked me how I’m still alive, I couldn’t tell you.
I think it was my father watching over me.
The car should have exploded and burst into flames, but instead only one of the charges set at the front of the vehicle detonated early. It gave Dominic enough time to pull me to safety before the other charges blew.
Sinking into the grass, I draw my knees to my chest, and place my back against the side of the house.
I hear Dominic’s voice on the phone as he stands over me. He’s calling 911.
My ears ring.
With every movement, my muscles scream in protest.
But my eyes can’t stop staring at the bonfire that once was my car.
Flames crackle like the devil himself is laughing at my inability to figure out the killer. The fire rises higher as part of my car frame caves in with a shriek of warped metal. Smoke clouds the air.
Thank god I parked back far enough from the house and the fire is contained.
My fingers are burned.
My hands are cut from the windshield shattering.
But I can’t look away from the orange light devouring what’s left of my car.
I can’t stop staring at the shards of glass scattered around the driveway like dying stars under the sun’s rays.
Groaning, I press my hand onto the grass as I attempt to stand up.
“Don’t do that Cipi, relax. The fire department and paramedics are coming.” Dominic kneels down next to me.
“I’m fine.” I wave him off, but he grabs my arm, and helps me to my feet.
“Always so damn independent,” he mutters.
“Thank you.” I barely hear the words coming out of my mouth. My brain is working overtime to try to piece together how someone could have almost killed me twice now at my house and no one saw a thing.
“You’re shaking,” Dominic takes off his jacket and wraps it around me. Then he pulls me into his arms. “You’re okay,” he whispers, kissing the top of my head. “You’re okay.”
But I’m not even close to being okay.
I’m about to lose my shit.
“I wasn’t even inside that long,” I croak. “I didn’t see anyone and no security alerts went off.”
“They probably turned the cameras off and we didn’t even know it because we were too busy arguing,” he murmurs.
I hang my head. The argument seems stupid now.
I feel like a fool.
The Capuano compound is supposed to be impenetrable.
Someone is making a mockery of me.
My hands ache.
