No. Use your brain. It was the middle of the night. If he wasn’t here at this place, he trusted others to do his dirty work.Domenic would be comfortable somewhere, probably sleeping soundly without a thought for these women.
I knew roughly where he lived. Bridget had told me it was close to that diner. Had that truly been today that we went there together? It felt like a lifetime ago.
It was easy to look him up and confirm the address. For the first time in my life, I blessed the lack of privacy afforded by the internet.
I took out my phone to call Andrew, then stopped. He would just try to convince me not to go, and I didn’t have time for that. At that moment, Bridget could have been in a cage just like those other Omegas, and I would force the answer out of Domenic.
And then, I would kill him.
Chapter 36 - Bridget
My old bedroom was unchanged. When I opened my eyes, for a split second I thought I’d dreamed the last six years. The same four pale pink walls surrounded me and the same small chandelier dangled from the ceiling. Even the light from the bedside lamp was familiar. The throbbing in my head was new, though.
Domenic was sitting beside the bed, watching me sleep. A wave of nausea, either from a concussion after being punched in the face or remembering what I saw, made me lurch to the side. My stomach clenched on nothing as I retched. I hadn’t eaten since that morning.
“Hello, little one,” Domenic said. “I was worried you might not wake up. You hadquitethe bump on the head.”
I sat all the way up and glared at him. I didn’t bother to pretend anymore. “You’re a fucking monster.”
He tutted. “Language, Bridget. That’s no way to speak to your father. Besides, you shouldn’t talk about things you don’t understand.”
“I understand exactly what you’re doing to those women,” I hissed. Another wave of nausea hit, but I fought it. “And for what? Money?”
“Of course. Those Omegas are an investment in future scientific breakthroughs—”
“They arepeople.”
Domenic waved his hand. “If I didn’t use them, someone else would. You’ve led a very sheltered life, you don’t know the kinds of dangers that await unprotected Omegas. Even now in thisenlightenedage. It’s why Sebastian and I tried so hard to provide a safe, stable life for you.”
“They’re only in danger from assholes likeyou.” Any fear I had at raising my voice to Domenic evaporated in the strength of my rage.
“No, Bridget. There are much worse men than me.”
“Why would you even bring me there? You must have known I’d see what you were doing.”
Domenic sighed. “A necessary evil. We’ve had to consolidate the operation a bit, thanks to your interference. And I admit, I wasn’t expecting to find you today. I’d thought your mother seemed a bit more manic than usual, so I followed her to your little rendezvous. If you’d waited just one more day to show your face, your new lab would have been ready. Dr. Davis ordered almost all the same equipment for you.”
“You’re delusional if you think I’m staying.” I stood, looking down at him. He just sighed.
“Oh, Bridget. I appreciate this might be difficult for you, but I promise you’ll get used to being home again. I’ll make the transition as smooth as possible.”
“I will never help you. You’re a disgusting, evil piece of—”
His hand cracking across my face shouldn’t have surprised me. But in my defense, he’d never done it before. The physical stuff had mostly been Sebastian’s domain. He towered over me, his nostrils flared and white around the edges. His hand wrapped around my throat.
I froze. The pressure against my neck made it impossible to fully catch my breath. My vision started to black around the edges. But I wouldn’t let him see my fear. He could hurt me, intimidate me, but I was not going to play the role he wanted. Not anymore.
“You will remember your place in this family,” he said, his voice still pleasant. He half-turned to the cracked door and called, “Marco, would you join us please?”
Marco appeared a second later, his face shuttered and his shoulders rounded, as if he were trying to protect his vital organs. I could barely detect his musty scent beneath Domenic’s smoky one.
“Bridget, I’d like to formally introduce Marco, your brother,” Domenic said.
“He is not my brother,” I gasped and paid for my defiance with a brutal squeeze of Domenic’s hand that made me choke.
“Well, not by blood of course, but he’s my son so… stepbrother, perhaps? Regardless, Marco here will be your new companion. He has some making up to do for letting yourfriendDr. Manalo escape.” Domenic finally released my throat, and I sagged back onto the bed. My vision cleared slowly.
“So I’m a prisoner now?” I prepared for another strike that didn’t come.
