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“Understood,” I reply before hanging up the phone. I look over at Dominick, who’s still watching me. “Seems the hitman has been taken care of, rather spectacularly. Better than anything I could’ve done for sure.” Dominick tilts his head, a pleased smirk on his face as he accepts the compliment and understands that I’m thanking him while not saying that he actually did anything because that would be dangerous. “We’re clear.”
Maggie stutters, her voice a near-whisper. “Really? We’re safe?”
And then she turns to Dominick, the question in her eyes, knowing he’s really the one who decides if we’re safe or not. He nods once, his face schooled back into tightly a controlled blankness. “Yes. “Yes, you’re safe. But do not forget our agreement. If I have need of you, I will use you as a resource. Otherwise, you will not return.”
Maggie nods, then opens and closes her mouth like she has something to say. Dominick waits patiently, not encouraging her but not dismissing her either.
“What about Allie?” she asks desperately. “Can I still talk to her?”
Dominick smiles, and I think I see a bit of melt in that frost behind his eyes. “If Allie wishes to speak with you, I would not prevent something that makes her happy. I personally think you two have had a good effect on each other and make good friends. However, if she doesn’t want to talk, I will support her choice to cut you out of her life.”
Maggie nods, still encouraged. “Thank you, sir.”
Dominick smirks at the turn of phrase and gives me a knowing look. “Maggie,” I say calmly, “can you wait outside for a second? I need to talk to Dominick.”
She bites her lip, uncertain, but nods. “Yeah, I’ll go backstage and see if Allie is here yet. Maybe she can show me her new move again.”
She leaves, and both our eyes follow her out. When the door closes, Dominick turns back to me with a look I’ve not seen before. It’s like he’s showing me a glimpse behind his mask, to the real man he is underneath the mob boss persona. “She is an unusual find, Shane. I told you once that a man like you would break her, and then I’d be forced to break you as well. I find that perhaps I was wrong. She is stronger than I gave her credit for, although if you hurt her, I think I’d still find myself inclined to take the offense out on you.”
“No need. If I hurt her, I’d punish myself more than you ever could,” I reply honestly. “Even with your . . . creativity. I do appreciate the way you make a statement, that flair for the dramatic when warranted,” I tell him, smiling as I envision the brass balls it must’ve taken to pull off a stunt like that.
Dominick inclines his head, smirking. “And I appreciated your company last night while I was at the club.” The lie is crystal clear, but only because Dominick allows me to see it. He could lie to me easily, but he’s telling me in just a few words that he’s approving the lie I told, giving him an alibi.
“So, we can leave?” I ask, moving things along. “No offense. Your apartment is nice, but we’ve stopped the war, sent Sal scampering back to the dark, stopped the threat of the hitman, and you know the truth about everything. It seems our agreement has been met. And I’d like to be able to get some fresh air and sunlight with the woman I love.”
Dominick nods, his mask coming back into place. “Yes, same as I told Miss . . . as I told Maggie. I’ll reach out if I need you. However, for you in particular, Shane, there is something else. You mentioned that you were placed in my organization, and another FBI agent into Rivaldi’s. Is that agent still in play?”
I nod, already seeing where this is going. “Yes, that agent is in place. I don’t know his name, though. It’s standard FBI procedure. That way, if one of us got outed, we couldn’t be tortured to reveal the other.”
Dominick nods in understanding. “I thought so. A policy I’ve used myself when I’ve had to send men . . . undercover. But, if any information comes up that would be either potentially beneficial or harmful to me, I trust that you will reach out to share?”
He’s smiling, but there’s an implied threat to his words, and I know that he would see a lack of information sharing as an insult. “Of course. I assume your phone number won’t be changing?”
Dominick laughs softly. “Well, it might, but even if so, the number for Petals won’t. I’m sure you’ll keep that number around.”
I nod, then rise and offer him a hand. “You are an interesting man, Dominick Angeline. Regardless of the initial reason for my placement, I have enjoyed working with you. I like you.”
