I’m pretty sure I set an Olympic record for how fast I change. I don’t want to leave Dominic unattended in my house. Who knows what his former FBI ass is capable of.
Sweatpants and a sweatshirt are my wardrobe of choice. Nonna wouldn’t approve, but I’m still recovering and I want to be comfy. Besides, Matteo and Salvatore have taken charge of the business until I feel better, so that gives me plenty of time to find my killer.
Hobbling down the stairs, I see Dominic in the foyer leaning against the double doors that lead to the ballroom. He looks up and studies me.
“Still going for the cozy vibes I see,” he chuckles.
“I’m still recovering.” I reach the bottom step and stand in front of him.
His gaze turns dark and serious. “I hate that someone tried to hurt you, Cipriani.”
“Me too,” I whisper.
“All the guests who came to your party were screened here and then went directly to the ballroom?” Dominic turns to the front door.
“Yes. Security was sitting there. Guests had to wait in line and have their names checked off the list. They gave their coat to the attendant and were escorted into the party. Guards were posted in the foyer and the second floor. Everywhere in the house was closed off, except the ballroom.”
“Could someone have snuck past?”
“I doubt it. There was security everywhere. I had double the protection.”
“Were there any no-shows?” Dominic makes a note in his book.
“I don’t know. I can get the list and give it to you.”
He looks up at me. “You’re not very prepared are you? Someone is trying to kill you. You should have already thought of these things.”
“Well excuse me for almost dying and being in the hospital,” I snap.
A smirk twists on Dominic’s lips as if he’s getting enjoyment out of breaking my stones. “Fine, have the list sent to me at my private email. Now walk me through everything that happened.”
“I was in the ballroom for most of it. The first half hour was appetizers. Then the dinner was brought out. I almost collided with one of the servers while I was mingling but that’s it.”
Dominic shakes his head. “Bull in a china shop,” he mutters.
“Excuse me?”
“Nothing. Did you notice anything suspicious?”
I shake my head. “No.”
Dominic writes something in his notebook. “Alright, let’s head inside and go over the scene from there.”
My fingers wrap around the handle but then hesitation stops me. I haven’t been here since the shooting. Images flash through my brain.
Me giving the toast...
Cutting the cake…
Pain ripping through my side...
Blood on my fingers…
Bruno and Emiliano taking me out the side door...
My breath catches in my throat. The fact this happened in my own house makes me sick. A part of me wants to burn the whole ballroom down and forget the incident ever happened.
“Cipi?”
