I hold my hand up to stop his advance. His nearness fogs my brain and I can’t have that. “I can’t.”
He shakes his head. "You're swimming in deeper, darker waters now."
"I know how to swim."
"Not in this pool." His hand reaches toward my face but stops, hovering in the space between us. "These people play by different rules."
"Which people, Dom? Your people?"
His jaw clenches. "Don't fuck with me, Olivia. You wouldn't be digging into this if I hadn't put the idea in your head. I deserve to know?—”
“No you don’t.” I step back, needing distance between us. "I can't discuss this with you."
"Can't or won't?" His voice drops, dangerous and low as his gaze takes a leering inventory of my body. "Because last I checked, you had no problem sharing other things with me."
Heat rushes to my face. "Clearly, that was a mistake."
"Was it?" Dom steps closer, eliminating the space I'd created.
I meet his gaze, refusing to be intimidated by him. "I won't compromise my investigation by discussing it with a person of interest."
"Person of interest?" His laugh is sharp. "That's what I am now? After everything?"
"What did you expect, Dom? That I'd forget who you are? What you do?"
His eyes flash. "And what exactly is it that I do, Agent Ricci? You've been watching me for four years and still have nothing."
"Because you're careful, not because you're innocent."
"Or maybe because you only see what you want to see." He leans in, his breath warm against my cheek. "You need monsters, don't you? It makes your job simpler. It makes the world make sense."
I clench my fists at my sides. "Don't psychoanalyze me."
"Then stop pretending you know me or my family." His voice hardens. "You're so loyal to the badge that you'll ignore evidence there are those among you who are corrupt."
"I'm not ignoring anything?—"
“And if you think I kidnapped Rocco then you’re the worst FBI agent in the history of the bureau.”
I let out a sigh. “I don’t think you kidnapped Rocco. As far as the investigation, I don't have all the answers yet."
"But you have some." Dom's eyes bore into mine. "You're withholding information from a family that deserves to know who targeted their child. How does that make you any better than me?"
The accusation hangs between us, impossible to deflect. Because deep down, I'm starting to wonder the same thing.
“Did Elena talk to you or are you following me?”
Dom's expression shifts, just slightly. "You're investigating my family's business. Did you think I wouldn't keep tabs?"
"You talk about family loyalty like it's sacred, but you're using what happened to Rocco and Mrs. Ferraza to manipulate me."
"Manipulate you?" His eyebrows shoot up. "I mentioned those cases because they matter. Because they could be connected."
"Connected to what? If you care about justice for them, tell me what you know."
He shakes his head. “No. I told you what I know. Now it’s your turn. Rocco is my family?—”
“If I have information for the family, I’ll talk to Rocco’s parents, not you.”
