AllFreeNovel
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“Thank you though, for sharing it with me.” It might not be his whole past, but already I feel the space between us shrinking as I learn more about this mysterious, older man I love. Maybe my soul already knew that we shared a similar trauma, that our darknesses were alike, and that eventually I would uncover one of the reasons why we’re drawn to one another.
“I don’t mean to be this way,” Dominic mutters. “I know it’s hard to be with a man like me.”
My heart breaks at watching this vulnerable side of him show through.
“Trust isn’t something that’s given freely, especially when this line of work is filled with traitors and scheming bastards.” Dom takes another drink of his bourbon.
"You have Coen and Magnus…" I study the hard lines on his aged face. "You have me."
Dom’s serious gaze bores into mine. “For now.”
I sigh and grip his hand tighter. “For—” I start to speak but he cuts me off.
“Things have been unforeseen lately, June. This isn’t how I wanted our life to be. But there are matters that need my attention, and until I handle them, I beg you to know that none of this means my feelings for you, ortheirfeelings for you, have changed. We aren’t pushing you away for any reason other than to keep you safe. I assure you that.”
It’s not that I don’t believe him, but I just don’t understand why it has to be this way. What could possibly be so dire that they couldn’t tell me? I already know about their dangerous world, the issues they’ve been having lately, what more could be going on? And how does it have anything to do with my safety? Unless there’s a direct threat to my life that they aren’t disclosing. But who the fuck would want me dead? I could easily be used as a pawn to control any of my men, but that’s a risk we all knew when I became involved with them.
“I need a little more time, June.” Dominic runs his hand along my cheek.
“Okay,” I whisper, because what else am I going to say? They’ve backed me into a corner that I cannot escape from. The only way out is to see this thing through.
Dom exhales and smiles softly. “Thank you.”
And because I’d do anything to shift the dynamic of this conversation, I ask him, “What’s your favorite color?”
“What?” He tilts his head.
I nudge him playfully. “Your favorite color, sir?”
“Uh, I don’t know. Green, perhaps.”
“Green is a great color,” I tell him. “Favorite food?”
“These are difficult questions, perhaps we should go back to discussing my business instead.”
I chuckle. “Come on, it can’t be that hard.”
“Well, if we’re talking type of cuisine, I would have to go…French.”
“Like French fries?”
This garners another grin from him. “You are so uncultured it hurts my soul.”
“What?” I shove him. “I can’t help it I don’t have aprivate jetto fly me to get some French fries whenever I want them.”
"Those are not French food, sweetheart. I'm talking croissants, ratatouille, beef bourguignon. Simple ingredients turned into something beautiful and flavorful. It’s art, really.”
“I had no idea you were such a connoisseur.”
“There are a lot of things you don’t know about me.”
“I’ve gathered. Why do you think I’m hounding you with silly questions?”
“Fair enough.” Dom pulls my legs into his lap. “What’s your favorite food?”
“Pizza.”
Dom shakes his head. “I worry about you.”
