“Calm down, Cipi. Maybe someone wants you to think it’s her.” He leans in closer, his eyes locking onto mine. “That piece was probably planted while we were inside. You really thinkMadeline is that sloppy to reveal a chess piece while we’re here at her mansion when she knows we’re onto her? Someone wants to mess with your emotions and they’re doing a damn good job of it.”
His hands grip my waist.
I look up at him. I know he’s right but I won’t admit it. This is all getting to be too much.
Dominic doesn’t let go of me. His hands stay firm on my waist as if he’s waiting for me to simmer down.
“I know that bitch is…”
He kisses me before I can finish.
His mouth crashes against mine, like he wants to shut me up before I explode and do something rash. One of his hands buries itself into my hair, bringing my face closer to his. The other stays at my waist. His fingers dig into my side like he never wants to let me go. With each press of his lips, he pulls every ounce of anger and frustration from me.
I kiss him back harder.
I forget that I’m still standing in Madeline’s driveway.
I forget about the chess pieces, the shootings, and the murders.
All I see is Dominic.
My hands clutch his coat dragging him closer to me until there’s no space left between us.
When we break apart, my lips tingle, and my head spins.
“Are you calm now?” Dominic stares down at me.
“Yes.”
He leans over and opens the passenger door.
“Get inside. I’m driving.”
As I slide into the seat, my burner dings. It’s Enzo.
We have a lead on the fish.
Who is the knight?
The question plagues my mind as the golden knight haunts me.
I won't mention it to anyone. I don’t want them to worry.
After dropping me off at the hospital, Dominic heads to urgent care.
I remain with my family until later when Gigi and Nonna are cleared to be released from the hospital.
I make the executive decision that everyone will be staying at my house until further notice.
Now my driveway is filled with black SUVs and men stationed out of sight. All of them are armed and ready.
My house is officially on lockdown. Anyone who tries to get us will wind up with a body full of bullets.
Inside my house, the air smells like lasagna and basil.
Mom is in the kitchen. Her sleeves are rolled up and her hair is pinned back in a claw clip. She stirs a pot of sauce on the stove while a tray of lasagna cooks in the oven.
Matteo opens a bottle of wine, while Lucia does the dishes.
