Bex grabbed him and held his shoulders. “We’re not going anywhere. None of us thought she was in danger since she was your dad’s mother. But Dom, she died protecting you. She would want you to know that.”
“How do you know that?”
Bex inhaled and blinked away her own tears. “Because she knew you were adopted. She knew Logan and I were from Marina De Ferrier. If she told them that, they would’ve been here already. She kept that secret to protect you.”
The tears fell from his eyes and Bex pulled him closer as he cried. “I can’t lose more people Bex, I can’t. I want them caught and I want them gone.” He pulled away and turned to me. “I will do that cognitive thing if it means we can end this.”
Chapter Twenty-One
BEX
A few protocols were being overlooked. But we lived in a small town and law enforcement resources were limited. Also, Nick and Salinger Security were trusted beyond all else. A process that was meant to be distant and cold was softened with the presence of family and friends.
For one thing, I was no slouch when it came to protection detail and I could get even more feral when it involved people I loved. Also, Dom and I were accompanied by Ollie and Lilly, as well as Drake Wilder from the US Marshals and Jessica Rone as our police guards. My kid was the most protected teenager in Southern California and I was happy to be surrounded by so many people who knew what they were doing.
Once we arrived in the interrogation room, only the FBI agent was present. Since Dom was a witness and not a suspect, as well as being a minor, they allowed both me and our lawyer in the room with him. Our lawyer was not a criminal attorney but rather was there to make sure Dom was treated right and that I didn’t put him in unnecessary danger. When it came time to petition for permanent guardianship, I wanted to make sure Logan and I had done all the right things. That was, of course, if Logan and I could actually get things right.
We’d had no time alone since that date at the diner. Of course, sex would be a lot easier if we were at home and awake at the same time. Perhaps that was the one thing that could change. Even if nothing happened, my schedule was flexible so I could make sure to be with him when he got home.
Yeah, I was ready to go at it with him the night of the wedding. But so much had changed since then. I had little kids to consider. I also had an impressionable teenager under my roof. We both did. I had no idea whether Dom had a ‘birds and bees’ talk. I assumed he hadn’t had sex, but also had no idea how he was with girls. Or boys for that matter.
The car stopping had me shaking off my thoughts. “Let's go.”
Dom nodded and stepped out of the back of the SUV. He held the door open as I slid out and I stifled a smile. His parents had taught him how to be a gentleman. I loved that for him. And I loved even more that Logan would take it further.
I held out my hand to him, knowing he had to be scared. The one thing I knew about his current situation was that reliving the worst night of his life would not be easy. As far as I knew he hadn’t experienced nightmares. Not loud ones at least. But the interview could trigger them.
As we walked through the door, I let go of his hand and placed my arm on his shoulder. Jessica led the way to the interrogation room.
The FBI agent spoke up as we walked in. “Hello, Dominic, I am Special Agent Lamb. I am going to ask you a few questions. Is that okay?”
Dom nodded and I squeezed his shoulder.
Agent Lamb took a breath. “I know this is scary and you don’t want to be here. But I need you to speak up, okay? There is a camera in that corner and the State’s Attorney, Samantha Lang, is on the other side of that mirror.” He pointed to the shadowed glass window in the wall behind her.
“Yes, it's okay.” He looked at me and then back at Agent Lamb. “Can Bex stay with me?”
The agent smiled. “I don’t think anything could make her move from where she is.”
He had that right. I wasn’t going anywhere. Still, there was no denying the warmth that flowed through me knowing Dom wanted me to stay. I sat in the chair next to him and took his hand. Our lawyer sat on his other side. I wanted him to know he would not be alone as Agent Lamb asked him all the questions he had already answered weeks ago. Dom had nothing new to add.
Then agent Lamb leaned forward. “You said you heard your mom scream. Is that right?”
“Yes.” Dom nodded. “And I’ve heard my mom scream before because she's not a fan of mice.”
Woman after my own heart. I couldn’t stand mice or spiders. I didn’t comment though, not wanting to compromise the integrity of the interview.
Agent Lamb seemed to understand what Dom was saying. “Was this scream any different?”
“I think when my mother shrieks over a mouse… sorry, shrieked, over a mouse, it was more from shock or surprise.” Dom shuddered and I could only imagine what his memories were doing to him. “But she sounded so scared.”
It was most likely the idea her children were a few feet away from the danger in her living room.
“Did you hear anything else?”
“The men were talking but I couldn’t understand what they were saying.”
“Were they talking to your stepfather?”
