His life.
Now mine. I didn't give a shit about whatever deal my father had made. I also didn't give a shit about destroying his life. This wasn't going to continue.
And so I paced.
Ugly visions of Dominick lying in a pool of blood flipped in my mind over and over again, leaving blood-red spots in front of my eyes. How could he do this every day? How could he tolerate being threatened, his life placed in danger?
Jesus. I was shaken to the core.
Bruno checked his watch, taking cautious steps closer to the window fronting the house and peering outside.
"You really think they're coming here, whoever the fuck they are?" I asked.
"There is always a possibility." He moved back to his original place.
"Please tell me something, Bruno. Anything. Is he alive? Is he dead? What?"
He exhaled and finally turned in my direction. "If he was dead, you wouldn't be here. Dominick can handle himself just fine. You just need to do as you're told."
I guzzled the drink, my fingers almost slipping off the glass. I could see his look of disdain even from where I was standing. Screw him for admonishing me. Me! No fucking way. "Don't look at me that way, Bruno."
"What way?"
"As if I'm a terrible person for drinking while his life is in danger. I'm not perfect. I'm human. I'm..." I couldn't even finish the words.
"I wasn't thinking that at all."
"Then what the hell were you thinking?" I snapped my head in his direction, rubbing the cool glass across my clammy forehead.
He offered what had to be the kindest smile I'd seen from him. "I was thinking how nice that you do care for him. He deserves to be happy."
The way he said the heartfelt words was oddly cathartic, yet so strange to me. His boss had treated him like some idiot only hours before, but he truly wanted the man happy. I was thrown, almost stumbling backwards.
"Dominick will be just fine. He has you to come home to." With that, Bruno resumed his duties, including the poker face.
Everything was so quiet, and I no longer had the energy to fight in any manner. Even the drink left a disgusting taste in my mouth. I eased onto the couch, holding my head in my hands. I brushed the tips of my fingers across my mouth, hungering to have his kiss one more time or the feel of his strong hands rubbing up and down my back. This was ridiculous. I wasn't falling for him. I couldn't.
Why was everything so out of control?
How much additional time went by, I wasn't certain, but I knew I was stone cold sober when I heard the sound of heavy and purposeful footsteps.
I jerked to my feet, rushing forward even as Bruno attempted to keep me away, blocking my body with his. "No. Let me go."
"Jesus, boss. You scared the shit out of me," Bruno exclaimed, allowing me to pass.
Dominick jerked to a halt, his pensive and angry face relaxing. "You're safe."
"I kept her that way, boss."
Dominick didn't respond, his gaze falling on me and for a few amazing seconds, we connected in an entirely different manner than we had before, the slow burn of electricity warming my body. He was relieved, happier than I'd seen him, his smile so genuine.
"I thought you were... I, um..." The words stuck in my throat.
He took several steps closer, as did I, but a wall sprang up between us. Breathing in, he continued walking toward me, but instead of any kind of embrace, he brushed by my shoulder and further into his office. "Did she give you any trouble?"
The same horrible man resurfaced, shutting down Dominick's emotions just like always. I gave Bruno a quick glance, knowing there was obvious defiance on my face. I didn't give a shit any longer. Let the man tell on me. What the fuck?
"No, she did everything I asked her to do."
Dominick nodded and eased his weapon from the holster. "Well, that's good to hear."
"Angelo with you?" Bruno asked.
"A couple of his soldiers. I don't think we're going to have an issue tonight." He seemed to be choosing his words carefully.
"Let me do a perimeter sweep, boss. That'll make me feel better." Bruno waited for the single nod, the usual action before leaving.
I went ahead and grabbed my glass, heading for the bar. "Would you like a drink?"
"Actually, yes. Whatever you're having is fine."
I could feel his heated gaze on me as I poured the drinks. "What happened, Dominick?"
"I was compromised at my own casino. I had to take care of that."
"Compromised. You mean some high dollar junkies came into your dazzling facility to sell some drugs that just might cause horrific overdoses?" I could tell as I sauntered closer to him that I'd caught him by surprise.
"What the hell do you know and who talked to you?"