Dominic hasn’t made any sexual overtures toward me since that night in his bedroom. This makes me wonder whether I imagined what had happened between us. Was it only meant to get me to acquiesce to his demands? And now that he has my agreement—has he lost interest in me? Whenever I’m bombarded with feelings of doubt, I do my best to keep busy.
I asked Dominic about the blood splatters and he was initially silent. After pestering him incessantly, he admitted that he had taken care of the person responsible for leading the Albanians to me. Remembering him in action in the alley, I’ve no doubt that the traitor met a gruesome end. So, I didn’t ask him to elaborate. It being one of his own men, I know it would’ve been a bitter pill for Dominic to swallow.
I try not to feel guilty that another person has died because of me. The world I now find myself occupying is not simply black and white. It's made up of shades of grey. The same moral compass that I’m accustomed to judging my actions and those of others do not apply here. In the world of the Cosa Nostra—it is to kill or be killed. The possibility of me killing anyone is impossible though. But learning to protect myself should be a priority. I can’t simply be reliant on others to do it for me. Sitting idly is no longer an option.
It’s now obvious: that the people in Dominic’s world live by a code. It wasn’t written down, but it is etched into their lives—to shape every word, every gesture, every silence. And if thecode is broken, the culprit does so with the knowledge of what the consequences are.
Serafina had just left the mansion. Her perfume still lingering faintly in the air. The house felt quieter without her. It is two in the afternoon and Dominic hasn’t yet returned home. After seeing her out, I head to the kitchen in search of Jimmy. The hum of voices reached me before I stepped inside. I found him seated at the table, his broad shoulders relaxed as he chatted with Julie, who laughed softly at something he said. When he notices me there’s a shift in the air. Jimmy gets up immediately and his chair scrapes against the tiled floor. He is alert and respectful. “Are you looking for me, Miss Elle?”
Stopping in front of him, I ask hesitantly. “Ehm, Jimmy, do you think that you can teach me to protect myself?” He looks at me clearly uncomfortably with my request, “I think it would be better if you asked the Boss,”he said carefully, his voice low and almost apologetic. Crossing my hands across my chest, I look at him stubbornly. “Well, he isn’t here now, is he? I want to be able to protect myself.” Jimmy shifts uncomfortably, his shoulder tense. “I don’t think the Boss will be happy with me doing that.”
“Oh, come on, you can’t be with me every minute of the day. Just a few moves.” Moving closer to him, I whispered so I couldn’t be heard by anyone else. “If you help me I'll put in a good word with Julie for you.” I punctuated the offer with a wink.
Jimmy seems surprised that I noticed his infatuation. He steals a quick glance in Julie’s direction as her back is turned. She’s standing in front of the stove, stirring the pot. Oblivious to being watched. The scent of herbs permeates the kitchen giving it a homey feel. When he looks back at me even though he hasn’t said a word, the faint tilt of his mouth and the resigned set of his shoulder tells me that I’ve gotten his agreement.
“Okay, I can show you a few moves. Let’s go to the gym.” As we leave, I don’t miss the look of longing that Julie throws Jimmy’s way. Well, it appears that Jimmy wouldn’t need much help from me after all.
Jimmy has been demonstrating various ways to break free if I’m ever restrained by an assailant. We’ve been at it for quite some time. Now, I’m attempting to free myself as he grabs me from behind. Jimmy’s arms are around my torso, his big frame dwarfing me as I attempt to get out of his grip.
I experience a moment of panic—as I am reminded of my experience in the alley. “Okay Elle, show me what you’ve got.” My desperation to free myself has me wriggling about desperately trying to dislodge Tommy’s grip. All I accomplish is tiring myself out.
“Remember what I told you, try to get me to loosen my grip.” I stop struggling: I lift my right leg, bringing my heel down forcefully onto Jimmy’s foot. He grunts in pain, but his grip loosens. And I stumble away.
I’m startled by a growl.
“You bastard!”
When I spin around I see Jimmy pinned against the wall with Dominic hand wrapped around his throat. Momentarily, I freeze, startled by Dominic's violent behavior. Jimmy isn’t fighting back—making the scene even more terrifying. The sight jolts me into action. I rush forward, grabbing onto Dominic’s arm.
“Dominic! What the hell are you doing?” My voice cracks as I yell. “Let Jimmy go.”
Dominic’s eyes blaze, “The bastard lay his hands on you.”
Jimmy’s face is beginning to turn crimson, his hands are clawing Dominic’s as he tries to pry it away from around his neck.
“Dominic! Let him go! Let him go now!”
When he doesn’t let go of Jimmy, I duck under Dominic’s arm, wedging myself between them. My palms cup his face, forcing his eyes to meet mine. “Dominic, look at me. Please—let Jimmy go. He wasn’t hurting me. He was teaching me self-defense.”
For a moment his gaze burns into mine and remains unyielding. But then Dominic’s grip finally loosens. Jimmy collapses forward, bent over, gasping as he catches his breath.
“Damn it Dominic—you could have killed him.” Instinctively, I move to check on Jimmy, but Dominic’s arms snake around me pulling me to his side. I shoot him a look of exasperation before turning back. “Are you okay, Jimmy?”
Still clutching his throat, he manages to croak, “I’m fine.” He looks up at Dominic nervously. “Sorry Boss, I was only showing Miss Elle a few moves—so she could protect herself.”
“As my woman, it’s my job to do so. Leave us now.” Dominic snaps. “Yes, Boss.” Jimmy bolts from the gym without a word. I whirl on Dominic, fuming. “What was that about, why the hell did you attack him?”
His jaw clenches briefly. “No other man is allowed to touch you Elle.” I pull out of his grip and cross my arms.Why the hell is he being possessive all of a sudden?
“Weren’t you the one who said that I should stay close to Jimmy when you’re not around?” I demand. “Yes, damn it.” Dominic rakes his fingers through his hair, agitation radiating off him. “But he should know better, he knows that he is not allowed to touch you like that.” I study him, unsettled. There is definitely something that I’m missing here. He isn’t acting rational.Why is he overreacting?
“Like what, Dominic?” I throw up my hands in frustration. “How the hell was he supposed to teach me to defend myself without touching me. You know that you’re being ridiculous, right? I’ve been kidnapped twice. I need to be ableto take care of myself, Dominic—you can't always be there to protect me.”
His expression hardens. “I said I will teach you. We'll begin tomorrow.”
Without another word, he turns and strides out, closing the door behind him. I’m left to stare at the empty space he just vacated. My chest is tight with anger and confusion at his odd behavior.
Chapter 23
