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“That’s fine,” Dominic said. “If you can’t answer something, tell us. Plead the fifth—it’ll be good practice. But things can’t keep going like they are, Dad. We used to feel like a family—a dysfunctional-as-hell one, but still a family. And now it’s every man for themselves.”
Dr. DeMarco stared at his plate. “Fine. Family meeting.”
The word family struck Haven. She jumped to her feet. “May I be excused, sir?”
Dr. DeMarco waved her away, while Carmine slammed his hands down on the table. “Sit down, Haven. This involves you, too.”
She froze, having no idea what to do until Dr. DeMarco pointed at her chair. “Take your seat.”
She sat down, folding her hands in her lap, but wished she had left anyway when Dominic started the conversation. “First of all, Dad, what’s your problem with Haven?”
“Why do you think I have a problem with her?” Dr. DeMarco asked.
Carmine scoffed. “Maybe because you fucking threaten her?”
“Calm the hell down,” Dominic said, pointing at his brother. “There’s no yelling in my sit-downs. Let me handle this.”
Carmine grumbled under his breath and crossed his arms over his chest.
“That’s better.” Dominic turned to their father. “Maybe because you fucking threaten her?”
Dr. DeMarco shook his head. “I have nothing against the child.”
“But you said . . .” she started before she realized what she was doing. She shut her mouth, nervous she had spoken out.
“I said what?” Dr. DeMarco raised his eyebrows. “Be out with it.”
“You told those men I wasn’t worth it.”
“You’re right, and I won’t take it back. Doesn’t mean I have a problem with you, though.”
Carmine fidgeted, fighting to remain silent, while Dominic continued with his questions. “So if you don’t hate her, what’s the big deal about her and Carmine being together?”
“Because there are complications they don’t understand,” he said. “I’ve told them they can be together for the time being.”
Carmine couldn’t restrain himself any longer. “Can’t you see how unfair that is? We can be together ‘for the time being’? What the hell does that mean?”
“It means until I figure things out, I can’t give you any guarantees on the future.”
“What things?” Carmine asked. Dr. DeMarco didn’t answer. “Fine, I’ll figure it out myself. Just tell me who she’s related to.”
“I can’t. If they find out you know, you’re going to get hurt. I need you to understand that.”
“What’s the big deal?” Dominic asked. “She has family . . . isn’t that good?”
“No, it’s not. He’ll expect her to be handed over, and she wouldn’t be safe with him.”
Haven’s mind furiously tried to work through what he’d said.
“No one’s taking her,” Carmine said. “I won’t let it happen.”
“You think I don’t know that? You’ll follow right behind, and I can’t have you both being taken down. I’m trying to find a way out where you walk away from this, but you’re making it difficult.”
“Do I know him?” Carmine asked.
“I can’t answer that.”
He laughed dryly. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
