Chapter 47
~Elle~
Sam’s arms are ripped away from my shoulders before I can even process what’s happening. Dominic’s imposing form looms in front of me, his body a wall between us. His broad back blocks Sam from my view.
“What the hell, man! What’s wrong with you?” Sam blurts, startled.
Snapping out of my stupor at my husband’s sudden appearance, I step aside—only to see Dominic clutching Sam by the collar. “Keep your hands off my wife,” he growls, voice low and dangerous.
“Dominic! Let him go. Now!” My command falls flat against the stone etched in his face. He refuses to release his grip, eyes locked on Sam with a murderous promise. Sam, either unfazed or oblivious, doesn’t grasp the danger.
Only when I seize Dominic’s arm does he finally let go. His gaze drops to my hand on him, then rises to meet mine. The heat in his eyes makes me flush. We’ve shared looks like this before—but they never meant anything to him. The realization hits like ice water.
The memory reignites my anger toward Dominic, hardening my heart, shielding me from those smoldering eyes. I yank my hand back—as if I’d been burnt.
We study each other in silence. Sam notices, clearly amused by the exchange. Instead of outrage at being manhandled by my estranged husband, he grins—thankfully Dominic isn’t inclined to show off his blade tonight.
The fool has no sense of the danger Dominic poses. He only smiles, boyishly handsome, like a clown oblivious to the threat. “So, Elle darling…” Dominic stiffens beside me, but Sam presses on. “…this is the missing husband? Hmm, you were holding out on me, darling.”
There’s no doubt—my friend has absolutely no instinct for self-preservation.
“Sam, will you please stop.” He only laughed. “Anything for you, darling.” I bit my lower lip, fighting back another fit of giggles, and wrapped my arms around Dominic’s torso to keep him from rearranging Sam’s face. The gesture startled him—and to my dismay, it felt natural touching him again.
My amusement vanished the moment my swollen abdomen pressed against Dominic.
As if on cue, our child stirred. The sudden movement froze us both.
Dominic’s hand lowered to my belly, his expression shifting to awe.
The look unsettled me, confusing me, and my eyes burned. Why does he look as if he wants this?
“I’ll leave you two now. Catch you later, Elle.” Sam’s voice snapped me back to reality. Somehow, I’d forgotten he was still there. “No! There’s no need—we have nothing to say to each other.” But Sam ignored me, strolling into our apartment building and leaving me alone with Dominic. The traitor.
When I tried to pull away, Dominic seized my arm, dragging me back against his chest. His voice was low, unyielding. “We need to talk. Seems you’ve been hiding something very important from me.”
“No, there’s nothing. You made your feelings abundantly clear. I refuse to be where I’m not wanted, so let me go—it’s late and I’m tired.” My voice was defiant as I tried to free myself from his grasp. I refused to be made a fool again.
The more I struggled, the closer our bodies pressed, the contact unsettling me. It only fueled my determination not to fall for his lies again. “It’s cold, Angel. Let’s go inside and talk.” “No. I’m not going anywhere with you.” “I’m not asking, Elle.” Rage flared.
“Leave me the hell alone. You can’t tell me what to do anymore.
” I’m pulled against him again. “We need to talk, Angel. I’m not leaving until we do.
” “Fine,” I spat, grudgingly pulling away.
But as I stepped toward the entrance, my foot caught.
I yelped, arms flailing, bracing for the unforgiving sidewalk.
Instead, Dominic’s arms closed around me.
He lifted me effortlessly, carrying me up the stairs as though I weighed nothing.
Despite my protests, he didn’t let me down.
Once we enter my apartment, he deposits me gently onto my sofa.
Watching me as I slip off my shoes and jacket.
It’s now one in the morning and I’m tired.
“I’m going to take a shower.” I announce, hightailing it quickly into the bathroom before he could respond.
Snapping the lock into place, I let out the breath that I was holding. I know that it was a cowardly move.
I had to escape his stare to gather my thoughts.
Being in his arms felt dangerously right, tempting me to surrender.
If he hadn’t set me down, I would have rested my head against his shoulder, breathing in his scent.
But when I face Dominic again, I must be strong.
I cannot forget the cruel words he hurled that night.
The hot shower steadied me, but when I returned, Dominic was in my kitchen, pouring soup into two bowls. His jacket hung over a chair, sleeves rolled to his elbows, tattoos exposed—those same ones I once admired. He placed the bowls on the table, then turned, his gaze locking on me.
“Come, eat, Angel. You must be hungry.” The aroma made my stomach growl, and I blushed.
With a knowing look, he pulled out a chair for me.
I sat, confused. My cupboards didn’t hold ingredients for chicken noodle soup.
“Thank you. Where did you get this?” Dominic took a mouthful, dabbed his lips with a napkin, and answered slowly.
“Jimmy. He dropped it off earlier. Your cupboards are practically empty, Angel.” I ignored him, focusing on the meal, devouring it within minutes.
Dominic carried the empty dish to the sink while I drained the last of my water.
With my stomach full, exhaustion washed over me, my eyes heavy as I waited for him to finish.
Suddenly, I was lifted into strong arms. Instinctively, I nestled into the warmth and familiar scent that was uniquely Dominic’s.
“Dominic?” I whispered. “We’ll talk tomorrow, Angel.” My eyes fluttered shut as he laid me on the bed. The mattress dipped beside me, and then I was enveloped in a cocoon of comfort, his presence surrounding me.