I nod. “I did too.”
I feel him move closer to me. I don’t look at him. If I do, I might do something I will regret.
Salvatore’s words ring in my mind about Dominic.
What am I doing? After this is all over Dominic is going to go back into his world and I’m staying in mine. He hates my lifestyle, after all. Maybe this is why we aren’t getting anywhere because we are getting lost in moments of nostalgia.
I clear my throat and stare at the coffee table. “I think I’m going to have to call a meeting tomorrow and warn everyone. It’s clear that this killer or killers are not only targeting me but the whole family.” I think back to the sticky notes in my office. “Dad was the King. Bruno is the Rook. Salvatore is the Bishop. Who could be next?”
“I don’t know. I’m assuming you, the queen,” Dominic replies.
“They already tried to get me.”
“And what makes you think they won’t try again? You’re the one in charge and you make the most moves. You’re the most powerful piece on the board and in the family.”
I will my face not to get hot or turn red.
“In the game of chess there is one king, one queen, two rooks, two bishops, two knights, and eight pawns. Who is the other rook and bishop?” Dominic continues.
In my mind I envision Dad’s chess board and all the pieces lined up. “Nonna has to be the other bishop. She’s wise and gives guidance too. The other rook has to be Mom because she’s loyal and protective of the family. The knights are Matteo and Lucia. Gigi, Eleanora, and the other people who work for us are the pawns.” My heart sinks as the realization hits me. “I forgot about the two rooks and bishops. What if we had picked the wrong person? What if it had been Nonna instead of Salvatore or Mom instead of Bruno?”
“Let’s not think about the negatives. Let’s be grateful we picked the right person.” He places his hand over mine.
Quickly I get up and walk over to the window. “Someone knew that Bruno would be in the warehouse just like someone knew Salvatore would be meeting someone at the shipping yard. Whoever it is was able to bypass security in those areas just like they did in my house.”
Dominic’s face darkens. “I don’t like this. You shouldn’t be alone.”
“The compound is secure.” I regret saying that sentence as soon as it leaves my mouth.
“So secure that someone was able to sneak into your house and almost kill you on your birthday,” Dominic retorts.
“This is definitely a multi-person operation.” I stare out the window. The late autumn sky dims into twilight over the compound.
There is no movement, only silence. Then something catches my attention and my eyes are drawn to Gigi’s house. Her garage door is open and a red luxury SUV is driving inside. Just as the door starts to close I see a figure get out.
It’s Elio, holding a bouquet of flowers.
Anger flares through me. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
Dominic gets up from the couch. “What’s wrong?”
I draw the curtain shut. “Gigi just snuck Elio into her house. She had him pull his car into the garage. That way no one will know he’s in her house.”
“You mean the same thing you just did with me?” Dominic smirks.
I glare at him then begin to pace. “What the hell is she thinking? She’s letting a man stay in her house that we know nothing about.”
“We did a background check and he came out clean so far.” Dominic stands and watches me.
“That means nothing. He was at my party uninvited.”
“Madeline invited him and your mother approved it, remember.”
I could breathe fire. “He could be behind the shooting. This is just like Gigi never giving a regard for her safety and the family. She thinks she can do whatever she wants.”
Dominic crosses the room and steps close enough so I can feel the heat of his body. He places his hands on my shoulders, stopping my pacing. “Hey, hey, it’s okay. Cipi. Calm down. Gigiloves you. She would never do anything to go against the family. Elio is cleared. He has no associations with other mafia families. At least he is at her house where we can watch them and not the other way around.”
“No, it’s not okay. She doesn’t understand. She’s always been able to be so wild and carefree. When I was her age, I was already queen and running an empire. I always had to be protective of her. You have no idea how many men I made disappear who were trying to use her to get to me. Now everything is unraveling. Bruno, Salvatore. I don’t know who's next. If we aren’t careful someone is going to die and we already lost dad…”
