The thoughts plague me as we drive away from the hospital. They’re keeping Salvatore overnight to monitor him. Thankfully the damage is only a bruised knee, ribs, and a head injury but they want to observe him in case he might have a concussion.
My fingers play with the bishop chess piece in my hand. I understand the past history between Dominic and me, but Salvatore has always trusted me. He’s like a second father to me, him and Bruno.
I clench my fists and try to silence the turmoil gnawing at me.
And the way he killed that assassin. He knew we needed him alive to find out what was going on. Salvatore has always been good with a gun, he could have wounded the man not killed him. Is he hiding something? No. I shouldn’t think like that. He’s family. He helped me become the queen I am after Dad died.
“You're quiet.” Dominic’s voice breaks my thoughts as he pulls into my driveway.
I turn and stare at him. “Did something seem off about Salvatore today?”
Dominic shrugs but seems surprised by my question. “I haven’t seen Salvatore in twelve years. You know him better than I do.”
“I don’t like how he disrespected my decision.” I press the code into my phone and the garage door opens. “Pull inside so no one sees your car, there is plenty of room.”
Dominic nods and moves the car forward. The door closes after him, hiding him from the world. He puts the car in park. Then he gets out and opens my door.
“I’m sure Salvatore didn’t mean anything by it. You’re like a daughter to him after all.”
I step out of the car and face him. “You’re not mad that he insulted you?”
“I won’t lie, I’m a little pissed at his comments, but you defended me and that’s all that matters.”
Walking up the steps, I unlock the door and enter the mudroom. Kicking off my shoes I walk to the living room.
“I mean I guess anyone would be acting off if they had been beaten up and a gun was put to their head. Do you think he’s hiding something?”
“I don’t know. I guess not. I can always tell when he’s lying.” I sit down on the couch.
“Someone did try to kill him today so I don’t think he’s lying,” Dominic adds.
“Just your typical day as a mafia queen. Someone trying to kill someone. What else is new,” I joke.
Dominic sits next to me and looks at his phone. “Speaking of suspects, my team just sent me a message. They identified the woman from the footage who caused the ruckus at your party.”
“Really?”
“Yes, her name is Rachel Evans and get this, she’s Ambrose Lane’s secretary.” Dominic turns his phone and shows me a picture of a blonde woman.
“Why would she be at my party?” I check my burner.
“I don’t know but I think tomorrow we should pay her a visit.” Dominic pauses. “What about the man from the port?”
“Enzo messaged me, they took care of it. Fingerprints were collected and sent to our guy. We should know in twenty-four hours who he is.” I place the phone on the coffee table. “But I have a sneaking suspicion he has an association with the Marconis.”
“How do you know?”
“Just the way he looked at me and said checkmate. Like he was trying to get back at us for what my father did to the family. There has to be more than one person orchestrating this revenge plot.”
Dominic runs a hand through his hair. “Nothing makes sense.”
“I don’t understand how your client’s secretary knew about my party,” I mutter.
“That’s a mystery to me. It’s crazy how she knew about it but I didn’t.”
I look down at my hands. “If things hadn’t changed between us, you would have.”
“I always thought about you every year on your birthday.”
