Chapter 55
~Dominic~
Sometime later.
My Angel and I lingered in bed until our stomachs began to protest. Luca, being the clever child he is, cooperated by sleeping through most of the morning. When he finally woke from his nap, Anna took charge, giving us time to shower and dress.
By midday, we were heading downstairs for lunch.
Life had been quiet since Elle gave birth.
Once she was home from the hospital, I told her about the threat and the need for heightened security.
We agreed there would be no secrets between us anymore.
The safety of our son is our highest priority, and Elle accepts that—for now—she cannot leave the mansion without an escort.
She’s been patient, and together we’ve settled into a comfortable routine.
Dante, however, has been consumed by his hunt for the men behind the attack.
He spends most of his time in Manhattan, convinced the cartel is waiting to strike and that they orchestrated the ambush.
My brother’s obsession worries me. Now that I’m a father, my focus has shifted.
Protecting my family is everything. Starting a war with the cartel would be reckless, and I pray Dante understands that.
Elle and I were just about to step into the foyer when shouting erupted, followed by a metallic clang. It sounded like it came from the kitchen.
“What the hell was that? Wait here, Angel.” I released her hand and moved toward the noise, opening my jacket so my weapon was within easy reach.
Of course, my stubborn wife trailed right behind me. We were only a few steps from the kitchen when the door swung open. Selena rushed out, disheveled and sobbing.
“Selena!” Elle gasped, grabbing her hand. “What’s wrong?”
“I can’t stay here… I’m leaving,” Selena cried, swiping at her tears.
“Why? I thought you liked working here. Did someone hurt you?”
“I… I do, but I can’t…” Her voice broke, and I left Elle to comfort the hysterical woman while I continued into the kitchen.
I froze just inside the doorway. Dante stood at the counter, spaghetti draped across his head, sauce sliding down onto his shoulders. He was wiping his face, looking utterly ridiculous. For a moment, laughter threatened to escape me—but the glare he shot in my direction killed it instantly.
“If I knew you were this hungry, my wife and I wouldn’t have kept you waiting. We’d have come down earlier,” I manage to say with a straight face.
“Fuck off!”
I lift an eyebrow. The Dante I know has a sense of humor. Who put a stick up his ass?
The more he swipes at the spaghetti, the deeper it spreads into his hair. “I hope I don’t have to remind you what Selena has been through. She’s under my protection, Dante. She’s not here for you to play with.”
My brother’s jaw tightens. “Don’t you fucking think I know that?” He drops the towel onto the counter and storms out. A minute later, the front door slams.
I stare after him, unsettled. What the hell was that about? What’s going on between those two? I know my brother—he would never take advantage of a woman. Not after what our mother endured.
“Dominic!” Elle’s voice pulls me back. “Selena refuses to stay. What—” She stops short, eyes widening at the sight of the broken plate and spaghetti scattered across the floor.
“I believe Selena baptized Dante with spaghetti,” I say, finally losing my composure. Her confused look makes me bark out a laugh.
“Why would she do that, Dominic? He didn’t… hurt her? Is there something going on between them?”
“I don’t know.”
Anna bustles into the kitchen. “The handsome lad is sleeping. What happened here? Where’s Selena?”
“She left, Anna.”
Shaking her head, she begins cleaning up the mess, muttering under her breath. “Leave, you say. Young people nowadays don’t want to work. They need to learn responsibility.”
“We’ll have our lunch in the dining room, Anna,” I say, leading Elle out. In the dining room, I pull out the chair beside mine for her.
“Dominic, I’m worried about Selena. I don’t know if she has anywhere to go. I had to force her to accept a month’s salary, and I told her she could return to the women’s center.”
“I’m sure she’ll be fine, Angel.”
“She refused to say why she was leaving.” Elle leans forward, her hand on the table, eyes searching mine.
“Angel, everything will be fine.” I clasp her hands, bringing them to my lips. “I love you, Angel.”
The End.