“Why? You’re still healing. This could be dangerous.” Dominic hesitates.
It could also be very dangerous being alone with him after last night’s adventure, but he seems to have forgotten all about it, so fuck it.
“I’ll heal faster when I find out who did this to me and I need to do this for Bruno too.” I head to the stairs. “Just give me a second to change.”
Dominic doesn’t argue with me. He sits at the table and opens the pastry box. “Take your time, I’m not going anywhere without you.”
Chapter fourteen
The drive is quiet, too quiet.
But again, what do you say when you drunk-kissed your ex and allowed him to put his lips all over you.
The radio is low, but awkwardness swirls inside the blacked-out Maserati Quattroporte. Our adventure to get here has been quite the epic quest. After sneaking out the back of my house, we caught a rideshare back to Dominic’s office. From there we got into his car and drove off.
I run my hand along the luxurious interior. Dominic has done very well for himself after coming from such humble beginnings. Glancing over at him, I take in the tailored charcoal suit and fancy watch. A long time ago he used to be the son of a baker. Now here he is, a big-time investigator with a million dollar enterprise.
Embarrassment sweeps through me as I glance down at my casual attire. I’m getting way too comfortable in sweatpants, a hoodie, and sneakers. Dad would be very upset with me if he saw me looking like this. But I am injured and it’s too hard to put on business clothes when I’m in so much pain. Besides, withsomeone trying to hunt me down, I need to be prepared to react at any moment.
Dominic keeps his eyes fixated on the road. His fingers grip the steering wheel tight as we drive down the highway. He’s acting like he wants to say something but doesn’t know how.
I lean back against the seat and watch the road signs pass. We’re about a mile from the rest stop exit and he still hasn’t mentioned anything about last night. Maybe the drinks did get to him.
Taking the exit, Dominic maneuvers the car off the highway and down the off-ramp, taking a right at the light.
Dominic turns off the road and drives through a gate.
“Is this a rest stop?” I ask.
Miles of chain link fence topped with barbed wire surround us.
“It says it on the sign right there, Rest Stop.” Dominic points out. He drives down the road then parks next to a few other cars in front of the check-in building.
After opening his door, Dominic walks around the Maserati to open mine for me.
“Thank you.” I try not to look at him as I step out into the yard.
Diesel and burnt rubber hits my nostrils along with the slight scent of coffee.
The truck yard is bustling with engines rumbling to life. Some men are pumping gas, others are getting food, or heading to the bathroom. No one pays us any mind. It’s like we’re invisible.
“Should we go into the building and ask where he is?” I shield my eyes from the sun as I look out into the sea of parked eighteen wheelers.
“No. People might not know who he is. And if he is around I don’t want to do something to scare him off. He’s potentially working for mafia people, he might think we’re trying to off him.” Dominic scans the yard. “Come on, let’s look around. Ihave a picture of the truck and the license plate. I’ll know it when I see it.”
We walk side by side down the rows of eighteen wheelers. A few of the truckers standing around give us sidelong glances, but don’t say anything. I’m sure it’s an interesting sight to see a well-dressed business man and a woman in sweats walking a truck lot.
“There are so many, this is going to be like looking for a needle in a haystack.” I groan.
“Not necessarily.” Dominic grabs my arm. “That’s Rafael’s truck right there.” He points to a red eighteen wheeler that doesn’t have a trailer attached. It’s parked at the end of the row near the chain link fence. It looks like Rafael tried to squeeze the truck in there, like he didn’t want to be noticed.
Dominic reaches into his suit jacket, retrieving a gun. He looks around. “Stay behind me.”
“Okay.”
As we walk closer, there’s no one in the driver’s seat. Dominic circles the truck with his gun positioned low. He calls Rafael’s name a few times but there’s no response.
“He’s probably asleep in the sleeper cab.” I step on the running boards and hoist myself up. Making a fist I knock on the passenger door. No one responds and I don’t hear any movement inside.
