I told them I was considering applying for the Head of Department for the Emergency Room at the hospital.
“It's more regular hours, and more money.” Besides, I had the experience. “Also, the current Head said I was his recommendation and he would advocate for me.”
“Great.” Bex smiled, pride evident all over her pretty features. My heart stuttered and my dick twitched. We were going to need to find some time alone together again soon. “But you’ll also have more responsibility.”
“To be honest, I always liked the idea of running my own ER.” I pushed my plate aside and leaned my forearms on the table. “Calling the shots and running things my way, has a certain appeal. I’ve already thought of a few things I would do differently if I was in charge.”
“I like that for you.” She smiled and then stared at her empty plate. I hated we were delaying the conversation that needed to be had.
It was obvious she had hardly shared anything since we started eating. I had known Bex almost my entire life. I could tell when something was on her mind.
“What’s up, Bex.” Dom scowled at her, indicating he was getting to know her, too. “Did something happen at work?”
“A few things. You have to go down to the station after school.” Her voice was small and I knew she hated that the kidwould be going through it all again. “The FBI and the State’s Attorney will be there. You will be accompanied by my brother Oliver and a police officer. A US Marshall will also make sure we’re safe.”
“What about you and Logan?” There was something in the way he asked the question that settled me. “I’m not going alone with them, am I?”
Bex let go of my hand and took hold of his. “I will be there with you, all the time. So will our family lawyer.”
“I will be there, too.”
The wince in Bex’s expression told me I was wrong. “You and Nick are going to check out the safe house. Once we’re done, we’ll have decoys sent to the apartment and Dom and I will meet you and the kids at the new house.”
I narrowed my eyes at her, not happy to be sidelined when Dom was going to be put through the ringer. “Bex…”
“The idea is to get everyone to safety. I need you to be with the little ones and make sure they’re safe.” She made a good argument. “I’ll make sure Dom is safe. There’s just one thing.”
I did not like the sound of that. “What?”
“Well, a few things really, but let's deal with the station visit first.”
“Lilly will also be there. The FBI believes Dom knows more than he thinks.” She looked away as she spoke further. “They want to put him through a cognitive interview.”
“Absolutely fucking not.” I pushed from my chair and stood. “I’ve seen those being done. A few times they couldn’t wait for a patient to fucking heal and did it in the ER. Those people were further traumatized after that. Absolutely no fucking way are they subjecting my kid to that.”
I was breathing hard and angry Bex would even consider such a thing. Yeah, they’ve shown some semblance of what itcould be like on TV but in reality, it was never that simple and hardly ever that successful.
Dom looked over at Bex. “What is a cognitive interview?”
She looked from me back to Dom. “Basically, you’re guided to go back to that night on the staircase. It's scary, because we don’t know what will trigger a memory and how it will affect you emotionally.” She pulled me back into my seat. “I will be in the room with you for the whole thing, and I’ve insisted that I pick the interviewer. They agreed to let Lilly be the one to interview you.”
Dom raised a brow and it was like looking in a mirror. “Is she any good?”
Bex smiled, obviously seeing the same thing I did. “I wouldn’t trust anyone else with one of the most important people in my life.”
Dom stared at her for a moment before looking into his lap. “You promise you won’t let me get separated from my family?”
“I will fight with my last breath for all three of you. But Dom, we have something else we need to talk about.”
His face was weary and I couldn’t blame him. “What now?”
She took a deep breath. “Dom, your grandmother was killed about a week ago. SFPD had no idea where you were, which was why it took so long for us to be informed.”
I watched as his face turned to stone. One minute he was scared as hell. The next moment all hell broke loose as his voice roared through the apartment. “What more must I lose? They are determined to take my whole family from me. Everyone I love.”
I put my hand on his arm. “Dom, calm down.”
“Calm down?” His anger was directed at me. I took that as a good sign. “My grandmother is just a nice old lady. She knew nothing.” He took a moment to breathe. “Oh, God. What if they come after Landy and Vic? What if they come after you guys? Ineed to leave. That was why they wanted to separate us in San Francisco.”
