Chapter Twenty-Eight
Off the coast of Italy . . .
W aves crash against the shore of Dominic’s private island. The day’s heat is beginning to fade. The soldiers are spread out along the beach. Some are swimming, slicing through the water like the predators they were trained to be, while others are laughing and tossing a frisbee back and forth.
Dominic advances onto the sand, his polished shoes sinking slightly with each step. He didn’t bother to change out of his suit—he’s not staying. Abby and their children are waiting for him back at his grandmother’s house.
When Jack notices his arrival, he nudges the man next to him, and soon all eyes are on Dominic as he approaches.
“Corisi,” Hugh says, rising to his feet. There’s no fear in the man’s voice, but there’s respect. Dominic knows the difference. He lives for the difference.
“How are you all doing?” Dominic asks, his voice calm but carrying easily over the sound of the waves .
“We’re good,” Jack answers, stepping forward. “Better than we’ve been in a long time. Thank you—for all of this.” He gestures to the island, the beach, the freedom that stretches endlessly around them. His voice lowers. “And for everything else.”
The others murmur their agreement. A few of them nod, but mostly they watch him in silence, waiting. These are men who’ve seen battle, betrayal, and the ugly side of vengeance. He studies their faces. And, yet, they’re still so fucking young.
Life can be unfair. He, too, was forced to fight to survive at a young age. Perhaps that is what has him feeling protective of these men. “Consider me your personal guardian angel,” Dominic says, shoving his hands into his pockets. His tone is casual, but his gaze is sharp, taking in the way their shoulders straighten and their eyes narrow slightly. “But not an unconditional one.”
The men exchange glances, a ripple of tension moving through the group.
Dominic smiles, though it doesn’t reach his eyes. “I’m generous. Sometimes to a fault. And I’m always good to people who are good to me and others. You’ve all been given gifts most people don’t have. It’ll be tempting to take advantage of them. I’ll be watching to make sure you don’t.”
Jack nods slowly, his jaw tightening. “Is that a threat?”
“That’s for you to decide.” Dominic’s smile widens. “If you need me, I’ll never be more than a phone call away. Just don’t ever confuse my kindness with weakness.” He lets the words hang in the air, giving them just enough weight to sink in.
There’s a moment of silence, broken only by the sound of the waves. The soldiers are watching him carefully now, as if trying to decide whether to thank him again or stay silent. Dominic spares them the dilemma by turning and walking away.
The sun is setting as he strides toward his helipad.
He doesn’t look back. He doesn’t need to.
His staff will pamper the soldiers and his security will ensure they’re safe.
He meant everything he’d said. As long as they don’t give him a reason not to be, he’ll always be there in the background making sure no one exploits them again.
Inside the helicopter, Dominic opens a box and pours out two small spider-like robots onto the seat across from him. As the helicopter takes off, he studies them. “I’ve heard a great deal about the two of you.”
One of them squirts a little on the expensive leather seat across from him. Dominic softens his tone. “You were offered a home with the other robots but you still don’t feel safe, do you?”
The tiny robots scurry to one side of the seat, but when there is nowhere for them to hide they freeze and huddle.
Dominic continues, “There is nothing worse than living in constant fear. I’ll make you a deal—I’ll give you both a voice and a chance to be best friends with two of the sweetest kids on the planet. They’re both brilliant in their own way. Judy could hack your coding and change it for you in a heartbeat. Leonardo could get you to see beauty in the design of everything around you if you give him a chance.”
When there is no response from the robots, Dominic folds his arms across his chest. “You don’t have to choose them or this. Rumor is the two of you would like to be turned off but no one around you has had the heart to. I’ll turn you off—permanently if that’s what you want.”
They scrunch even closer together.
“I’m not afraid to make the hard choices.” Dominic lowers his arms. “But I’m also strong enough to protect you from whatever or whoever might come for you.”
They both stare at him.
Frowning, Dominic growls, “There’s no shame in being afraid. The world is a fucking scary place. If you don’t wake up every morning a little sick to your stomach about the state of it, you’re an idiot.”
They begin to look more confused than afraid.
Dominic leans back in his seat, his tone softening even further. “But your future is what you want it to be. You can check out of this world, keep hiding, or join me and I’ll help you figure out why you were given the gift of life. We all have a purpose.”
Both robots stand a little taller. One nods at him as if asking why they should trust him .
He shrugs. “Everything worthwhile involves a leap of faith. I wasn’t always a good man, but my wife and kids are why I continue to strive to be one.” His voice deepens. “I feel bad for you. I know what it’s like to feel helpless. Take me up on my offer to help or don’t. First, I’ll give you a voice then you can give yourselves names.”
They look at each other then back at him.
He clears his throat. “Except for your last name. If you choose us you’ll be a Corisi.”
The two robots glance at each other again—hesitating, processing, deciding. One nods, ever so slightly, then the other follows.
“You choose us?” he asks.
They both nod.
Dominic’s lips curve into a small, satisfied smile. “Smart.”
He turns his gaze out the window as the helicopter lifts higher, the island shrinking beneath them. The horizon is ablaze with the last light of the setting sun, stretching out into endless possibilities.
“You’re going to love Judy and Leonardo,” Dominic says, his voice quiet but filled with conviction. “And I have a feeling they’ll love you right back.”
And for the first time in years—maybe ever—the little robots stop trembling.
The End
Read more about Dominic Corisi in Maid for the Billionaire (excerpt below).