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“I’m actually not sure. It depends on the deal we cut. If we can’t avoid probation, you might have to step down. But you’re up for reelection soon, so maybe someone will run against you, and you’ll lose the old-fashioned way.” My dad stared right at Dominic, and I felt him wince next to me, his grip on my thigh tightening for a second before releasing.
I remembered what his father had told us earlier—that the Firenzis had guaranteed their election win somehow. I wondered how true that really was and if a DeLuca might actually lose without having their help.
“I need to think about it.”
“I understand. It’s a lot to consider, but don’t take too long. This offer isn’t on the table indefinitely.”
“You don’t have anything without me,” Dominic’s father huffed, and I wanted to smack him for his arrogance.
My dad shrugged like he didn’t have a care in the world. “I’ll go to trial anyway. Take my chances. And I’ll charge you with conspiracy. Prove that you knew all of their dealings and were complicit with every illegal activity they ran through those buildings that you got them the permits for. Every charge might not stick, but I’ll get one or two to stand up in court. You’ll do jail time. You’ll be disgraced. It’s all anyone will remember about you.”
Damn.
My dad was hard core. I had no idea how much of that was even a possibility or true, but it was enough to scare the confidence right out of Dominic’s dad.
“I’ll get back to you with my decision in twenty-four hours.”
“Sounds good.”
“We’d better go,” Dominic said abruptly, as if suddenly aware of the severity of our discussion and the potential ramifications heading our way.
“Sweet pea,” my dad said before pulling me into a hug, “you good?”
“I’m great.”
“I’m happy for you. One day, you’ll fill me in on everything, right?” he asked.
I realized that I still hadn’t told him what had happened between me and Trevor—the lies and blackmail. We’d talked on the phone since the failed wedding, but I’d kept to myself for the most part, wallowing in self-pity and staying angry with Dominic for leaving me.
“Yes. I’ll explain everything after we get through this,” I said, referring to the Firenzis and Dominic’s father.
Dominic stepped into our space and threw an arm around me, pressing a kiss to the side of my head. “Sir, I’m going to marry your daughter, if that’s okay with you.”
I stifled a surprised laugh. Not because of what Dominic had asked, but because of how he had asked it, with me standing right there, his tone all aggressive and unflinching. There was zero chance in hell that my dad would ever tell him no, but Dominic wouldn’t have listened if he had.
“It’s about damn time,” my dad answered with a grin.
He was right. It was time.
OUR FUTURE STARTS NOW
DOMINIC
The drive back into town was awkward and quiet. We’d all said so much at Bob’s house that there wasn’t much more to add without it coming off preachy or full of pressure. My father knew what he needed to do, what the right thing was, but that didn’t mean that he would actually do it. And my lecturing him about it more, adding my proverbial two cents, wouldn’t change his mind if it was already made up.
Dove reached across the center console and rested her hand on top of my thigh, her fingers pressing into my skin one at a time, like she was playing the piano. It was like no time had passed between us and we had never been apart. I glanced over and caught her watching me, her eyes softening the way they always had. Michael and Kristina used to joke that we both had heart-eye emoji faces whenever we looked at each other. I never wanted that to change.
I still had a few questions though, things I was dying to ask, but I’d do that once we were alone.
“You good, baby?” Dove’s voice filtered through the otherwise silent car, and I reached down for her hand and squeezed it in response.
I was more than good.
“Father—” I eyed him from my mirror.
“Not now,” he snapped, but I shook my head.
“I have a question about Trevor.”
