33. Corey
33
COREY
O n the ride home, I told Dom why I’d left his house. “I was so stupid. Why did I believe them?”
“Don’t blame yourself. I should have been watching over you. I should never have sent you upstairs.”
“I knew it didn’t seem right that you were sending me away no matter how mad you were at me.”
“Next time, listen to your instincts.”
“I hope there won’t be a next time like this.”
“Me too.”
When we got to his house, he fussed over my various bruises and cuts and made me submit to a doctor’s exam. At least the Marchesis had a doctor on call who could see me at Dom’s house.
He completely ignored his own injuries. I knew he was hurting after fighting Lisa, but he refused to be seen and insisted he just needed to take some ibuprofen and he’d be fine.
He was never going to stop being stubborn, but the way he was looking at me, like I was fragile and precious and he would do anything to make sure I wasn’t hurt, made me feel warm all over.
I hadn’t stopped shaking until we’d reached his house, and he’d wrapped me in a blanket and held me, refusing to let anyone else even talk to me. I vaguely remembered Valentino and Vito being there and being introduced to Lucien, but Dom had insisted on getting me to his room and told everyone that unless it was a life-or-death matter, we’d be discussing everything in the morning. Lucien had taken charge and forced everyone to leave us alone.
Once he had been assured that I would recover completely from my ordeal, he took me into the shower and washed me carefully. Despite being naked together under the warm, soothing water, there was nothing sexual about it. His touches were about comfort, about the need for closeness and reassurance that both of us were alive. He dried me off and tucked me in bed.
As I fell asleep with his body wrapped around mine, I felt safe and loved. We could talk about everything tomorrow, including what the future held for us. But would he be here holding me like this if he wasn’t ready to admit that he cared?
The next morning, I woke alone. I had a vague memory of Dom brushing my hair from my forehead and placing a kiss against my temple. Was that a dream, or was that him kissing me before he left to start his day?
When I dressed and went downstairs, I saw that Dom talking to a man I didn’t recognize. Dom motioned for me to come and join them. “Corey, this is X. I understand you’ve never been able to meet in person.”
X was probably six-five, broad-shouldered, and absolutely stunning. He held himself with the same air of command he’d always spoken with. I could understand how he called the shots, even with this mafia family.
“It’s nice to finally meet you, Corey,” he said as he shook my hand.
“Yes. Same. Thank you for everything you’ve done. I appreciate you helping me.”
“You’re welcome. And you will be very happy to know that after Lisa’s demise, we were able to capture and eliminate several of her accomplices. All the others have decided to start talking. So, with their confessions, your testimony will no longer be necessary.”
My heart slammed against my chest. “I’m not going to have to go to court?”
“No, you can return to your apartment and figure out your next step. Your firm has been dissolved, and the assets seized. If you need help finding a new position, I have plenty of connections. Just let me know.”
So that was it. I should feel excitement, relief, but all I felt was stunned, a chill running through me. My time with Dom was over, unless he asked me to stay.
I thought about how good it felt to have him wrapped around me last night. I knew staying was crazy, but I also knew that was exactly what I wanted. I didn’t want to go back to my apartment. I didn’t want to resume my life as a lawyer, working twelve-hour days, coming home, getting takeout, going over more paperwork, and then doing it all again. I wanted a life filled with a lot more joy.
“Are you all right?” X asked. “I know you’re probably still somewhat in shock from what happened last night. If you need someone to talk to about that—and I highly recommend you do take some time to process it—I can connect you with a therapist who is one of the best in her field.”
“I…I’m not sure.”
“Think about it. What you went through, what you witnessed last night, it’s not something that just fades quickly.”
“No, sir,” I said.
“Oh, I almost forgot.” He turned, and I realized my bag, the one I’d packed when I’d convinced myself I was going to a safe house somewhere without Dom, was lying on his table. “We were able to recover this. Your wallet’s there, your phone, and some articles of clothing and a few other things. Let us know if anything is missing.”
I hadn’t even thought about the bag since I’d been home, hadn’t even tried to look at my phone, my laptop, nothing. I’d really been out of it last night.
“Thank you. This is great.”
“It looks like all your documents are there, so you shouldn’t have trouble getting a flight back to New York. Do you have any questions?”
“No, I don’t think so.” I looked to Dom, who was keeping a neutral expression. I couldn’t read what he was thinking, and I didn’t like that. He wasn’t the cold man he’d been when I first met him, but he was far more standoffish than I would have expected after the way he treated me the night before.
“Good, then I will leave the two of you to discuss your future plans.”
Dom held out his hand to X. “Thank you again for your assistance.”
X smiled. “Thank you for accepting it.”
He walked out and closed the door behind him. Neither Dom nor I said anything for a moment. I thought it would feel good to be alone with Dom, but there was tension in the air. I could feel it. What was he thinking? What was happening here?
Finally, I met his gaze. “So, I guess I don’t need you watching over me anymore.”
He nodded. “That’s right.”
I waited, hoping he would say something else, like how he didn’t want to lose me, or he couldn’t stand the thought of sending me back to New York.
“Sit down, Corey. I want to talk to you.”
That was a reasonable request, but everything felt off. My stomach flip-flopped, and my legs were shaky as I walked to the sofa and sat down.
Dom joined me. “How do you feel about going back to New York?”
That was a loaded question. I looked away, down at the floor, as I considered how to respond. Eventually, I said, “There’s nothing for me there. My job is gone, and I don’t want to just look for something in another firm and keep living the same way I was. I’m not sure what I want to do, but it will be something different. And I…I think I like it here.”
Dom smiled, but it wasn’t the full smile I’d grown used to. It was a smile he might give a business associate. “I like having you here.” The words were right, but the tone was wrong. “I want to offer you a position with the family. We have a lot of need for legal expertise, and there are also?—”
I held up my hands and shook my head. “No.”
“I assure you, the pay would be equal to or better than what you’d received in New York.”
“No, that’s… I appreciate the offer.” It was all I could do to keep my voice steady as all my hopes, everything I thought was going to happen today, came crashing down around me.
“It’s a great offer. I’ve lost my job. I’m no longer comfortable in the home I was in, and while your family’s business is…unusual, I’ve gained respect for all of you.”
“Then why?—”
“Because that’s not what I want. I want you. I want to be here with you. I want to be in your bed. I want to be a part of your life, but I guess what I want is a fairytale. We’re too different, not meant to be, so no, I won’t take a job with your family. I can’t be here like that. I need something more.”
My hands were shaking. I wanted to run. I could hardly believe I’d actually said that to him and let him know what I’d hoped for. There’s been no reason to hope for it. No promises have been made.
“Corey, please. Stay. I…I don’t want to be worried about you out there on your own.”
“I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time, and now I’m far more aware and will be much more alert to dangers around me. I’m thinking maybe I’ll take some lessons at a shooting range.”
“I should be the one to protect you, and the one to teach you how to use a gun. I know I fucked up yesterday, and almost let you get killed, but?—”
“No, I should never have believed the call. I should never have walked out of here without asking you. I was a fool, but I’ve learned my lesson. I’ll be fine. I don’t plan on getting involved in any more criminal enterprises.”
“Corey, Val and Vito enjoyed getting to know you, and I’m sure if you were here….”
I held up my hand to stop him again. “I’ve enjoyed talking to them. I know how awkward it would be for me to be with you when I’m closer to their age, but that’s the only way I want to get to know them more.”
“Corey, just give it a chance. I mean?—”
“No, Dom. Would one of your guards drive me to the airport? I don’t have a lot of stuff, so I can gather it quickly.”
Dom’s cold facade came over him. “Six or Muffin will drive you. They can be ready in a few minutes. You can meet them out front.”
“Thank you for everything.”
He turned around, facing the windows and dismissing me.
I ran up the stairs to my room. Tears blinded me as I packed. I grabbed things, stuffing them in my suitcase, not even caring if I left half my stuff. I had to get out of there. I thought last night when I’d walked out the back gate I’d been the stupidest I could possibly be, but no. Right now, I felt even more horrible than I had the moment I realized my mistake.
That might be crazy, but I’d fallen for Dom so hard, and now he wasn’t willing to even try. I knew he felt something for me, but he wouldn’t risk his heart, so I couldn’t stay. I hurried back downstairs, opened the front door, and was thankful to see Six pulling up in a car. He hopped out, came around and opened the back door for me.
“So you need a ride to the airport?”
I nodded, not trusting myself to be able to speak.
“All right, then let’s get on our way.” He took my things and placed them in the trunk.