Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 89840 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 449(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89840 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 449(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
“You’re scaring me, Dominic. Is this about the call you had a few days ago? You closed your office door and were speaking to someone.”
His eyes flicker away, focusing on a spot on the wall behind me.
I squeeze his hand. “Tell me the truth, Dominic. Tell me what’s going on.” This is his last chance.
He returns his gaze to mine, studying every detail of my face, and for a split second I remember why I fell for him. Those big, brown eyes, his soft skin, his full lips. I remember how he feels next to me, warm and close. Our bond was impenetrable. No one could stop us.
But in a matter of seconds, the reminiscing ceases and I forget who we used to be when says, “It’s better that you stay out of it.”
“So there is something going on? What are you hiding, Dominic? Tell me so I can help! We’re supposed to be a team, remember?”
“No.” His head shakes and he removes his hand from mine to stand. “Just . . . it’s fine, okay? I have everything handled. Will you be at the rally Saturday?”
“Yes,” I mumble. Where the hell else would I be? I stand with him, and he starts to turn but I catch his wrist. “Dominic, please. If you love me, you’ll tell me what’s going on.”
His eyes flicker to my hand, then back up to my face. With his free hand, he removes my grasp and disappointment sinks to my stomach. “Trust me, Jo. Let me handle it first, then I’ll tell you everything. I promise.”
I don’t even get the chance to protest. He grabs his bag and leaves the room, jogging down the stairs before I can get another word out.
THIRTY-SEVEN
DOMINIC
Four years ago
Dominic felt like he couldn’t get enough oxygen when he spotted Boaz’s pickup truck in the dead of night. He was parked beneath a live oak tree, window cracked, cigarette smoke drifting out. Boaz told him to meet behind a deserted restaurant, just across the street from a food mart that was run-down and, oddly, still in business.
Dominic parked next to Boaz’s truck and waited. Boaz stepped out of his vehicle, flicking his cigarette before coming to the passenger door of Dominic’s car. His heart thundered in his chest and his pulse swam to his ears as he unlocked the door. Boaz sat in the passenger seat, causing the car to tilt to the right. He slammed the door, locked it, and Dominic controlled his breathing as he focused on the man next to him. It was hard to control when the stench of nicotine consumed him. This was a man he didn’t know. A man he’d trusted to fulfill a reckless duty and who could turn on him in the blink of an eye.
“The rug is gone. Won’t ever be found,” said Boaz. He shifted in the seat, and Dominic tensed until Boaz stuck his hand out to offer him something. Dominic’s eyes fell to the phone in Boaz’s palm, a thick, old looking thing with a small screen.
“What is that for?” Dominic asked, eyeing him.
“So you can call me from this phone and not your real one. You’re running for a governor’s seat, right?”
Dominic stared into Boaz’s eyes. “Yes.”
“Then you don’t want calls like the one you made to me getting listened to without your awareness. Should anything ever come up—which I doubt it will—call this phone. There’s only one number stored in the contact list, and you can reach me there.”
Dominic took the phone, weighing it in his hand. “Where did you take the bo—”
“The rug?” Boaz corrected him with a glare. “Only refer to it as the rug.”
“Yeah, sorry. The rug. Where did you take it?”
“Drove over eighty miles across Louisiana until I found a marsh most people avoid. Walked into the woods and placed it there.”
“Was she—I mean, was the rug still breathing?”
Boaz studied Dominic, his eyes boring into the side of his face. “No.”
Dominic released a breath and gripped the steering wheel. “Good.” Perhaps she officially died along the way.
Silence swelled in the car. Dominic couldn’t bring himself to look at Boaz, but could feel Boaz staring at him.
“I’ll let you go,” Boaz finally said. “For my time and discretion, I expect two and a half million dollars deposited into this account.” Boaz handed a sheet of paper to Dominic, who took it with parted lips. Two and a half million dollars? There was no way he would be able to get that kind of money from the accounts without Jolene noticing. She’d ask questions, and he wouldn’t have any answers.
“I—I didn’t realize you had a fee,” Dominic responded stupidly.
Boaz released a dark chuckle. “You think I do shit like this for free?”
Dominic shook his head quickly. He didn’t care. He wanted Boaz out of the car so he could drive away, get to the airport, and take his ass home. And frankly, he was scared of Boaz. There was something sinister in that man’s eyes. Not to mention his hands were enormous and one of them could close around Dominic’s throat and end him in no time.