Chapter 37
DOMINIC
When I told her to come, I never thought she would. We shared a private dinner with a chef I always use for private parties, and after that, I asked her to come back to my place. She accepted without hesitation, and I can’t believe she’s in my arms.
I don’t remember the last time I was afraid of rejection. But with her, it messed me up.
But after I kissed her, it was like we formed a bond. I know I have a lot to make up for, and I plan on doing that every day I’m alive. I have my best friend back, the girl I loved more than anything, and I won’t take our second chance for granted.
Closing my eyes, I roll my fingers up and down the smoothness of her arm, her head tucked against my chest. I never want this moment to end.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t take you out on a proper date,” I tell her. “My clubs are secure, and I couldn’t risk your safety.”
“I don’t care where you take me, Dom. I don’t need fancy restaurants. That’s not what I’m about.”
“I know that. But I want to give you everything. I want us to make up for all the dates we missed.”
“We will.” She grabs my hand, squeezing it in reassurance. “When the time’s right.”
“You’re right, baby.”
We’re silent for a moment before I speak again.
“I’m almost sure I told you I’d have a driver pick you up. I don’t want you driving around by yourself.”
I knew Chiara well enough to know she wouldn’t have accepted my offer to have a driver pick her up, but I had to try.
“I’m not afraid of them.” She lifts up her head, peering into my eyes.
Shaking my head in frustration, I exhale a sharp sigh. “I know you’re not, but I am. If anything happens to you…”
I can’t even think of that shit.
“So take care of yourself for me, would you?”
“Nothing will happen to me.” She places a palm against my cheek.
My mouth twitches with a smile. “Stubborn woman. But that’s what makes you even more mine.”
“Mmm, say that again,” she moans, circling her arms around my neck as she lifts her hips off the sofa, straddling me, her pussy rubbing against my hard cock.
“Say what?” I groan, arching my pelvis up to make her feel what she does to me.
“You know what.” Her voice quivers.
“You’re making it so difficult to keep my promise of going slow.” I fist her hair, gripping it tight, peppering kisses down her neck.
“I can’t wait to be with you, Dom.” Her words stumble with a whimper. “My Dom.”
“Fuck, baby. Say that again.” I continue to devour her skin, her hips running circles over me.
“Say what?” she teases.
I pull her face close to mine, caught in her sultry gaze, and as she looks at me that way, I’m left wondering if she sees me as a monster for all the lives I’ve taken and all the lives I still have left to take. And though I don’t want to hear the truth, terrified of it, I ask anyway.
“You know I’ll have to kill them all, right?”
The question hangs in the air between us as she peers down at me.
“I do.”
“Do you hate what I’ve become? A killer? Can you really handle who I am now, Chiara? It’s okay if you can’t.”
That’s a fucking lie. I won’t be okay.
Her brows draw tight, her knuckles caressing my cheek. “I could never hate you, especially for that.”
Relief hits me, and I clench my jaw to steady my emotions.
“I loved your family with all my heart,” she confesses. “And knowing what my family did to Matteo...” Her eyes go dark, even as the tears drown them. “You do whatever needs to be done. And you make sure it hurts.”
My eyes slam shut, grateful she gets it. We’ll be hitting them again very soon. My men are working out the details.
“I love you, Chiara. More than anything in this world.”
“I love you too, Dom,” she breathes out. “I always have.”
A sense of peace overcomes me.
Finally, I have her, not only as the love of my life, but a true partner in my plan for revenge. My plan that’s only just beginning.