“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 thethreat. “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 offearlier. 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.
Chapter 48
~Dominic~
The soothing scent of vanilla greets me as I wake, more comforting than anything I’ve known in the six months since Elle left. I haven’t slept peacefully in all that time. My eyes open to find my angel’s face, serene in slumber, only inches from mine. A curtain of silky black hair spills across my chest, and I twirl a few strands between my fingers, lifting them to my nose.
Last night, I intended to clear away the misconceptions Elle carries about our marriage, but exhaustion claimed her before I could. Holding her in my arms again brought me a peace I’d forgotten existed. Without her, I’ve been surviving—but not truly living.
She’s been here all along, hidden in plain sight. I smile at her cleverness. By changing her name so slightly—Ellen Thom—she ensured I couldn’t trace her. If not for Dante’s injury, I would still be searching, blind to the fact that my wife was right under my nose.
My chest tightens as I recall how close I came to losing my brother. For the first time, I truly understand the desperation Dante felt months ago when I was injured—why he kidnapped Elle in a frantic attempt to save me. Last night, my Angel saved me again. Had my brother been taken from me, I’m not sure I would have made it through. He doesn’t know it yet, but he’s the reason Elle has returned to me.
The shock of seeing my wife again left me utterly speechless—a reaction only she could provoke. At first, I doubted my own senses, uncertain if I could trust what I saw after hearing that beloved voice. A voice I’d heard only in dreams these past months. The urge to pinch myself was overwhelming,but the stunned expressions on Dario and Jimmy’s faces confirmed it was real.
She saved my brother, then vanished from the room before I could barely form words. Her pregnant state left me stunned, silenced in a brief mutism I couldn’t shake.
The realization that she kept it from me cuts deep. Honestly, I don’t know how I feel about that. I don’t know how to feel—but can I really blame her, after the way I made her feel?. My wife is pregnant and she’s alone. If anyone is to blame, it’s me. I made her think that she was unwanted. Countless times over these months, I’ve wished I had left Berisha’s mansion with her, instead of chasing vengeance—prioritizing Salvatore and Berisha’s downfall over the woman I love.
Elle had been kidnapped, forced to hear me reject her and our marriage. And what did I do? I stayed behind to deal with Alban Berisha and my bastard uncle, instead of seizing the first chance to explain that I hadn’t meant a word of it—that I was buying time, protecting her. I foolishly believed she’d wait at home for me, that I’d finally be able to confess my love. I expected too much from her, even after everything she’d endured. I was an idiot.
Then she vanished, and I spent months searching for my wife. Now that I’ve found her, I’m determined to make it right. Last night, I had my men follow her home while I waited outside her building. When she appeared with another man’s arm around her, I wanted to end him. He’s lucky I didn’t see him as a real threat. For now, I’ll tolerate him—because my wife seems to be fond of him.
