“Are you trying to sneak out on me?” he whispers in my ear. His voice is rough with sleep.
The tone makes my stomach flutter in ways it shouldn’t.
“How can I sneak out? It’s my house,” I joke. “I was going to make breakfast.”
He kisses the side of my head and rolls onto his back. “Then I guess we had better head to the kitchen and get the queen her breakfast.”
Throwing back the covers he gets out of bed. “I’ll make us something special.”
“I remember how much you liked to cook.” I adjust my pajama top and get up, wincing slightly.
“Yes, it’s my escape from reality.” Dominic stretches his arms over his head and walks to the vanity. “But first I’ll help you change your bandage.”
I sit up and remove my pajama top. Gently I pull off the old wrap.
Dominic comes over with a fresh bandage. His eyes turn stormy as he looks at the long gash running the length of my rib cage.
“Fuck! I would love nothing more than to find the bastard who did this to you and slice him the same way,” he mutters.
His gaze lingers at the skin squished together and held by thick threads.
“When I find out who did this to you, I’ll make sure they pay for marring your beautiful skin.”
“It comes with the territory,” I groan. “I’m just grateful to be alive.”
“I’m grateful you’re alive too, but I’m still going to kill them.”
“You?” I tease. “A man of the law threatening to kill someone.”
“I may be a man of the law but every rule has its limits. And what people don’t know works in my favor.” Dominic finishes wrapping the bandage. “You might be rubbing off on me.” He grins, then leaves me to get ready at my own pace.
My stomach flutters as I ponder his words. I’m rubbing off on Dominic? That seems impossible. But I can’t lie, his desire to defend my honor and make people pay turns me on. I’ve never seen this side of him and I like it.
Sliding out of bed, I pull on my pants. Each day I feel better and grow stronger, but the pain still lingers.
I glance out the window at Gigi’s house.
The curtains are drawn, but I see shadows moving behind them.
A smirk twists on my lips.
Gigi wasn’t the only one who got fucked last night.
I shouldn’t be thinking like this.
Maybe Elio isn’t the bad guy I think he is.
A part of me hopes that he isn’t part of these assassination attempts.
But if he is, he might as well start planning his funeral.
The clink of a metallic pan sounds downstairs as I head into the bathroom.
Taking my time, I brush my hair and wash my face, praying all this drama will go down the drain and disappear.
My empire is fracturing in my hands and Dominic is the only person who can help me put it back together.
As I pat my face dry with the towel, I catch sight of myself in the mirror.
