Chapter 23
Chapter twenty-three
Hurt and disappointment wrap around me like a rope that threatens to strangle me.
He was going to hire another investigator behind my back.
He didn’t trust me.
He thinks Dominic is a distraction.
The thoughts plague me as we drive away from the hospital. They’re keeping Salvatore overnight to monitor him. Thankfully the damage is only a bruised knee, ribs, and a head injury but they want to observe him in case he might have a concussion.
My fingers play with the bishop chess piece in my hand. I understand the past history between Dominic and me, but Salvatore has always trusted me. He’s like a second father to me, him and Bruno.
I clench my fists and try to silence the turmoil gnawing at me.
And the way he killed that assassin. He knew we needed him alive to find out what was going on.
Salvatore has always been good with a gun, he could have wounded the man not killed him.
Is he hiding something? No. I shouldn’t think like that.
He’s family. He helped me become the queen I am after Dad died.
“You're quiet.” Dominic’s voice breaks my thoughts as he pulls into my driveway.
I turn and stare at him. “Did something seem off about Salvatore today?”
Dominic shrugs but seems surprised by my question. “I haven’t seen Salvatore in twelve years. You know him better than I do.”
“I don’t like how he disrespected my decision.” I press the code into my phone and the garage door opens. “Pull inside so no one sees your car, there is plenty of room.”
Dominic nods and moves the car forward. The door closes after him, hiding him from the world. He puts the car in park. Then he gets out and opens my door.
“I’m sure Salvatore didn’t mean anything by it. You’re like a daughter to him after all.”
I step out of the car and face him. “You’re not mad that he insulted you?”
“I won’t lie, I’m a little pissed at his comments, but you defended me and that’s all that matters.”
Walking up the steps, I unlock the door and enter the mudroom. Kicking off my shoes I walk to the living room.
“I mean I guess anyone would be acting off if they had been beaten up and a gun was put to their head. Do you think he’s hiding something?”
“I don’t know. I guess not. I can always tell when he’s lying.” I sit down on the couch.
“Someone did try to kill him today so I don’t think he’s lying,” Dominic adds.
“Just your typical day as a mafia queen. Someone trying to kill someone. What else is new,” I joke.
Dominic sits next to me and looks at his phone. “Speaking of suspects, my team just sent me a message. They identified the woman from the footage who caused the ruckus at your party.”
“Really?”
“Yes, her name is Rachel Evans and get this, she’s Ambrose Lane’s secretary.” Dominic turns his phone and shows me a picture of a blonde woman.
“Why would she be at my party?” I check my burner.
“I don’t know but I think tomorrow we should pay her a visit.” Dominic pauses. “What about the man from the port?”
“Enzo messaged me, they took care of it. Fingerprints were collected and sent to our guy. We should know in twenty-four hours who he is.” I place the phone on the coffee table. “But I have a sneaking suspicion he has an association with the Marconis.”
“How do you know?”
“Just the way he looked at me and said checkmate. Like he was trying to get back at us for what my father did to the family. There has to be more than one person orchestrating this revenge plot.”
Dominic runs a hand through his hair. “Nothing makes sense.”
“I don’t understand how your client’s secretary knew about my party,” I mutter.
“That’s a mystery to me. It’s crazy how she knew about it but I didn’t.”
I look down at my hands. “If things hadn’t changed between us, you would have.”
“I always thought about you every year on your birthday.”
I nod. “I did too.”
I feel him move closer to me. I don’t look at him. If I do, I might do something I will regret.
Salvatore’s words ring in my mind about Dominic.
What am I doing? After this is all over Dominic is going to go back into his world and I’m staying in mine. He hates my lifestyle, after all. Maybe this is why we aren’t getting anywhere because we are getting lost in moments of nostalgia.
I clear my throat and stare at the coffee table.
“I think I’m going to have to call a meeting tomorrow and warn everyone.
It’s clear that this killer or killers are not only targeting me but the whole family.
” I think back to the sticky notes in my office.
“Dad was the King. Bruno is the Rook. Salvatore is the Bishop. Who could be next?”
“I don’t know. I’m assuming you, the queen,” Dominic replies.
“They already tried to get me.”
“And what makes you think they won’t try again? You’re the one in charge and you make the most moves. You’re the most powerful piece on the board and in the family.”
I will my face not to get hot or turn red.
“In the game of chess there is one king, one queen, two rooks, two bishops, two knights, and eight pawns. Who is the other rook and bishop?” Dominic continues.
In my mind I envision Dad’s chess board and all the pieces lined up.
“Nonna has to be the other bishop. She’s wise and gives guidance too.
The other rook has to be Mom because she’s loyal and protective of the family.
The knights are Matteo and Lucia. Gigi, Eleanora, and the other people who work for us are the pawns.
” My heart sinks as the realization hits me.
“I forgot about the two rooks and bishops. What if we had picked the wrong person? What if it had been Nonna instead of Salvatore or Mom instead of Bruno?”
“Let’s not think about the negatives. Let’s be grateful we picked the right person.” He places his hand over mine.
Quickly I get up and walk over to the window. “Someone knew that Bruno would be in the warehouse just like someone knew Salvatore would be meeting someone at the shipping yard. Whoever it is was able to bypass security in those areas just like they did in my house.”
Dominic’s face darkens. “I don’t like this. You shouldn’t be alone.”
“The compound is secure.” I regret saying that sentence as soon as it leaves my mouth.
“So secure that someone was able to sneak into your house and almost kill you on your birthday,” Dominic retorts.
“This is definitely a multi-person operation.” I stare out the window. The late autumn sky dims into twilight over the compound.
There is no movement, only silence. Then something catches my attention and my eyes are drawn to Gigi’s house. Her garage door is open and a red luxury SUV is driving inside. Just as the door starts to close I see a figure get out.
It’s Elio, holding a bouquet of flowers.
Anger flares through me. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
Dominic gets up from the couch. “What’s wrong?”
I draw the curtain shut. “Gigi just snuck Elio into her house. She had him pull his car into the garage. That way no one will know he’s in her house.”
“You mean the same thing you just did with me?” Dominic smirks.
I glare at him then begin to pace. “What the hell is she thinking? She’s letting a man stay in her house that we know nothing about.”
“We did a background check and he came out clean so far.” Dominic stands and watches me.
“That means nothing. He was at my party uninvited.”
“Madeline invited him and your mother approved it, remember.”
I could breathe fire. “He could be behind the shooting. This is just like Gigi never giving a regard for her safety and the family. She thinks she can do whatever she wants.”
Dominic crosses the room and steps close enough so I can feel the heat of his body.
He places his hands on my shoulders, stopping my pacing.
“Hey, hey, it’s okay. Cipi. Calm down. Gigi loves you.
She would never do anything to go against the family.
Elio is cleared. He has no associations with other mafia families.
At least he is at her house where we can watch them and not the other way around. ”
“No, it’s not okay. She doesn’t understand.
She’s always been able to be so wild and carefree.
When I was her age, I was already queen and running an empire.
I always had to be protective of her. You have no idea how many men I made disappear who were trying to use her to get to me.
Now everything is unraveling. Bruno, Salvatore.
I don’t know who's next. If we aren’t careful someone is going to die and we already lost dad… ”
Dominic cups my face gently. “It’s okay, Cipi. Your dad died of a heart attack, no one killed him.”
“But he was so young,” I whisper, clenching my fists. “I just don’t think it was natural causes.”
Dominic doesn’t reply, instead he leans in and kisses me.
“Feel better?” he murmurs against my mouth.
“A little,” I admit.
Fuck what am I doing?
Salvatore is right. Maybe this wasn’t the best idea bringing Dominic onto the case.
“That’s always been the way to calm you down,” he chuckles, interrupting my thoughts.
Well, it’s been a long day, and this girl has needs, so fuck it. Future Cipriani can worry about the damage that will come from this.
I reach up and wrap my arms around his neck. “You know. We never finished what we started earlier.” I let my fingers trail down his chest.
Something flashes in his eyes and he kisses me again, but with a sense of urgency.
He lifts me into his arms. My legs curl around his waist as he carries me through the hall and up the stairs to my bedroom.
The future of the empire rests on my shoulders.
But for tonight, I’m going to forget about who I have to be, and just be me.