“Peter, that's enough,” Dominic interrupts. “The focus is not on Cipriani. You said Madeline had a ton of meetings this morning, who were they with?”
Detective Miller shrugs. “They were all online meetings.”
“Then somebody must have come to visit her in-person during that time,” Dominic glances around the room.
I stare at the white sheet that covers Madeline’s frame.
“Yes, we are trying to figure out if anyone came to see her in person today.” Detective Miller glares at me again. “Now forensics needs to go over this room top to bottom so I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
“Thanks Peter. I appreciate it. Have a great day.” Dominic takes my arm and guides me out of the office.
“How did you know she got killed?” I hiss as we walk down the corridor. More police pass us.
“Peter informed me. We worked together for years before I retired. He did this as a favor to me.”
We exit the building and cross the last few feet to the car in silence.
I glance at Dominic. His expression is blank, but I can see in his eyes he’s thinking hard about something.
He unlocks the doors and opens mine for me.
Once we’re inside, he doesn’t start the engine.
He grips the steering wheel like he wants to say something, but isn’t sure.
Taking a deep breath, he turns to me. “You didn’t order a hit on Madeline, did you?”
His response catches me off guard and I give him a look.“No. I didn’t do this. However, I plead the fifth when it comes to her grandson.”
“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that last part.” Dominic places a hand on my arm. “Are you sure you didn’t do it?”
“Seriously Dom?” I pull my arm back.
“Well, her grandson has been eliminated, and all the clues were pointing to her…”
“I was going to go see Madeline tomorrow at her house with all my men in tow. I was going to confront her until she admitted the truth that she killed my father. I was going to torture her until she told me who else was working with her and trying to attack our family. I needed her alive, Dom. If I was going to doher in, I sure as hell wouldn’t have stabbed her in her office like a damn amateur and invite the cops in.” I clench my fists. “I was sure she was behind all of this. Now she’s dead.”
Dominic shakes his head. “Peter thinks you did it. I could see it in his face.”
“I don’t give a fuck what Detective Miller thinks,” I snap. “I don’t care. He’s an ass.”
Without warning, Dominic’s hand shoots out and latches onto my forearm. His grip is firm but not rough, he pulls me closer to him across the center console.
“I care,” he murmurs. “Peter may be an old friend, but I was ready to break his jaw for the way he was looking at you. It was like he’d already decided you were guilty. He stared at you like you were some reckless heartless killer and you were beneath him.”
“I didn’t kill her,” I mutter.
His grip doesn’t loosen. Understanding fills his eyes. “I know. I just hate how people judge you because of your name and who you represent. It angers me beyond belief.”
“I don’t need you to protect me,” I whisper. “I’m used to it by now.”
“That’s too damn bad,” he hisses. “Because I will always protect you. I was a fool to let you leave my life a decade ago and I’ll never let that happen again.” He leans in. His eyes search my face like he’s daring me to pull away.
I don’t.
“You will protect me even though my family doesn’t follow your former job requirements?” I mumble.
“At this point, I don’t give a fuck about what’s legal and what’s not.” His lips are inches from mine. “I just want you and only you. From now on I’ll always be by your side.”
