Chapter 38
Chapter thirty-eight
The rhythmic beeping of the tow truck backing into my driveway is the only sound that echoes throughout the house.
After the disagreement, Nonna had to practically beat Bruno back into her house with his cane. He was dead set on fighting Dominic.
Dominic, however, remained at the end of the porch, not giving Bruno the time of day.
Once they were back inside the house, Nonna called Tony, our mechanic, who owns a scrap yard.
Not even ten minutes later, he pulled up with the tow truck. He knows when Nonna calls him, she means business.
Dominic had remained outside while I went inside to shower and change.
Now I’m sitting on the couch, feeling like I’ve been hit by a train.
Through the window, I see Dominic talking to Tony. Their hands move dramatically. They continue to chat as Tony hooks the ratchet straps and chains around what used to be my car.
After pressing a button, the twisted, melted metal gets pulled slowly up the angled bed. The skeleton groans and squeals like it’s protesting, even in death.
My mind whirls as I watch the action unfold.
My ears hurt but the ringing isn’t as bad.
The argument between Dominic and Bruno is still fresh in my mind.
These attacks have taken a toll on all of us.
However, something nags at me about this incident.
No chess piece had been sent.
If this death was meant for me then I should have received a queen piece.
I look around but I don’t see anything.
But then again I had never received a chess piece when I got shot either.
Maybe I wasn’t supposed to die.
Maybe the killer is doing this on purpose to taunt me.
Maybe he only gives warnings about other members of the family and not me.
I take a deep breath. Bruno’s accusation about Dominic hurt my heart.
I know he isn’t right in the head at the moment due to his injury but then again maybe I’m not in the right frame of mind either seeing as how my feelings for Dominic have grown.
I need to stay focused.
I know I’m missing something and I just can’t put my finger on it.
There is another beep as Tony presses a different button and the bed starts to right itself.
I close my eyes. For someone to get Dad’s chess set it had to be someone that we trust enough to be able to enter Mama’s house.
The truck engine starts.
I open my eyes and see Tony pulling off with my charred car in tow.
I hear Dominic’s footsteps on the porch. My phone lights up alerting me that someone is at my front door.
“Now you work,” I mutter.
The door opens and closes.
Dominic stands in the doorframe, wiping his palms on his jeans like he doesn’t know what to say. He clears his throat. “How are you feeling?”
I look down at my bandaged hands to avoid his gaze. “I’m fine. Tony got the car?”
“Yes. It’s gone.”
Dominic lingers near the door like he doesn’t know whether to come into the living room or leave.
I glance up. “Are you going to come sit down or just stand there?”
That comment breaks the tension just a little and a small smile twitches on his lips. “I didn’t know if I was welcome.”
I scoot over. “You saved my life, remember? That earns you a seat.”
He walks over and lowers himself onto the cushions next to me.
“Thank you for saving my life,” I turn to look at him.
“Cipi, you know I would sacrifice my own life to keep you safe,” he replies.
“Let’s hope you never have to do that. I don’t want to lose you.”
He takes one of my bandaged hands in his. “I thought maybe you didn’t trust me anymore, especially after all of Bruno’s accusations.”
“I know you would never hurt me. You’re the only person in this world who makes me feel safe.”
Dominic looks down at our intertwined fingers. “Bruno is right. I should be doing more. I’m not working hard enough.”
“You’re doing the best you can,” I assure him. “You’re not a miracle worker. Whoever is behind this is great at covering their tracks. I’m sorry for our argument earlier. I didn’t want you off the case, I just don’t want something to happen to you.”
“You don’t have to apologize." He kisses my hand. “At this point I want to find out who the killer is more than you. When I catch him I will skin him myself for marring that perfect body of yours.”
He reaches over and cups my cheek with his hand. Bringing my face closer to him, he brushes his lips against mine.
His mouth is warm and steady against mine. My breath catches as I melt into the kiss, the car explosion and fights from earlier fade from my thoughts.
Dominic pulls back slightly and rests his forehead against mine. “I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you,” he murmurs. “You scared the hell out of me, Cipi.”
“I didn’t mean to.”
He studies me. “You look tired.”
“I feel like shit.”
He smiles. “You’re still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
I chuckle. “You’re biased.”
“I’m in love,” he replies with no hesitation.
His directness catches me off guard. “Dominic…”
“You don’t have to say it back,” he cuts me off. “But I need you to know. I love you and I meant it when I told Bruno that I love you.”
“I love you too.” I kiss him again.
When we part, he rests his hand on my thigh. “I’m not letting you stay here alone tonight after everything that’s happened.”
“Okay, that’s fine. I don’t want to be alone anyway. I want you to stay.”
He smiles. Then his expression changes. “I almost forgot.” He plunges his hand into his jacket pocket.
“What’s wrong?” I move closer to him.
“While the cops were examining the car, I found something. I hid it from them. I think when the killer put the bomb under your car he left this.”
He pulls a six-inch stone from his pocket and hands it to me.
Taking it, I brush off the ash that covers it. There is an engraving on the stone along with splatters of red paint that remind me of blood. Turning the stone slightly, I read the script.
Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”