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Dom nods and Pasquale stands.
“I’ll call him now.”
As he leaves the room, the fire dances inside me, burning away the pain, leaving me ready to do battle and demand an explanation. I’m aware of Dom watching me and snap. “It’s as if they betrayed me.”
The tears burn and I’m grateful when his strong arm wraps around me and pulls me against his hard chest. He drops a light kiss on the top of my head and whispers, “I’ve got you, Flora. I’m here and on your side. Always.”
It’s so good knowing that and as I cling to him, I harden my heart because there can be no acceptable reason why my father abandoned us.
CHAPTER30
DOM
Flora is in shock, and I don’t blame her because discovering your life is built on a lie is hard for anyone to take. As I guide her back to my bedroom, sex is the furthest thing from my mind and as I walk into my closet, she follows me inside.
“What now?” She slumps onto the bench in the middle of the dark paneled space that has every single item of clothing a man like me needs. Mainly, several black handmade suits and silk shirts. Gym gear and t-shirts and the odd dress shirt and tuxedo.
My watch collection is impressive, and I have several belts all lined up like soldiers. I have everything money can buy, but I would give it all up to spend a life in love with the dejected woman whose whole world has imploded in a spectacular way.
Grabbing a sweater from the shelf, I hold it out to Flora and say gruffly, “Here. This should fall to your knees. Your clothes should arrive later today, but you may be more comfortable in this than the robe.”
She nods gratefully and as the robe drops to the floor revealing her perfect body, I push away my desire because sex is definitely not what she needs right now.
More of a distraction than anything, I reach for her hand and smile.
“Let’s get some fresh air. I think we could use some.”
“In bare feet.” She peers down at hers and I smile.
“There are some boots by the garden door. I’m sure you will find a suitable pair among them.”
As we head downstairs, Flora is quiet beside me, and I almost wish I’d said nothing because I hate seeing her in pain.
We head to the garden door in silence, both of us with too many thoughts swirling around our head in this fast-moving situation.
After searching for a suitable pair of boots for Flora, we head outside and take a deep breath of fresh air and as we head to the lake at the far corner of my estate, it feels good to be away from the toxic air of the mansion.
“You’re a lucky man.” Flora says wistfully and I smile, gripping her hand tightly. “I am.”
Raising it to my lips, I kiss it reverently, wondering indeed how I got so lucky.
“This place is perfect. Although it’s a fortress you wouldn’t know it standing here.”
She peers into the distance and all we can see is nature stretching out before us, carefully constructed by the best landscaping designer in the business to disguise the security that is just about everywhere.
“I want you to be safe here, baby girl.”
I really mean that and Flora smiles, and it’s good to note a little happiness in her expression.
“I do. I shouldn’t, but for some reason I always accepted I’d be safe here. Ironic really, when at first you wanted to kill me.” Her soft laugh makes me smile and takes me back to the moment I first laid eyes on her.
“You’re right, I did want to kill you, but it wasn’t you, baby. You know that.”
“Diana.” She shivers, reminding how that name burns like acid on your tongue.
“I’m so afraid of her, Dom.”
I wrap my arm around her and pull her close to my side and attempt to unlock another piece of Flora’s missing past.
