“Elena and Rocco are Vitales. My family.” He thumps his fist against his chest.
“Elena and Rocco are Monti’s now.”
His jaw goes so tight, his eyes so narrow, for the first time I’m afraid of him. Of what he might do. I take a step back and find myself against the wall.
“You’re fucking cruel, Olivia, you know that?” He turns, walking away as he runs his fingers through his hair. I give him the space he seems to need.
Finally, he turns back. "You're looking for corruption, for connections. Maybe start with why, out of all the agents in New York, you were the one called about Rocco."
"What are you saying?"
“You said yourself you’re not part of the team that deals with kidnappings. So why did you get the call? Who made the call? I'm saying maybe we're both pawns in someone else's game."
“That may be, but it doesn’t change the fact that I can’t talk to you.”
He crosses his arms studying me. I do my best not to shift under his scrutiny.
“You said Rocco and Mrs. Ferraza aren’t cases you’d work. Now after I push you, you’re asking questions.”
I don’t respond.
“Does your boss know what you’re doing?”
No. My boss doesn't know I'm digging into Rocco's kidnapping or the Ferraza murder.
I've been working nights, weekends, using personal resources.
The file of the redacted informant seems to have gone missing, another piece that makes me nervous that someone I work with is going outside the law.
"That's irrelevant."
"It's everything." Dom moves closer. "If you're off the books, you're vulnerable. No backup, no protection."
"I don't need protection."
"Everyone needs protection in this game." His hand settles against the wall beside my head, caging me in.
I refuse to be afraid. "Unlike you, I operate within the law."
He smirks. "But the people you’re looking for don’t?—”
“Is that a confession, Don Vitale?” I say with more bravado than I feel.
“You’re safer with me than a dirty cop, Olivia.”
I suspect he’s partly right. I'm treading dangerous ground, but I can't back down now.
"Then I'll handle it," I say, meeting his gaze.
Dom moves closer, his body radiating heat. His eyes darken as he studies my face. "You know what's interesting about all this?" His finger caresses down my cheek. "How quickly you went from coming when I fucked you treating me like I'm nothing but a case file."
I’m shocked at his vulgarity, although I don’t know why.
“Are you punishing me for making you feel good? Because if I remember correctly, you were begging for my cock.”
I roll my eyes. "Really? That's your play?" I step sideways to escape his proximity. "Crude adolescent comments? I expected better from you."
"And I expected better from you." Dom's voice rises, frustration cracking his usual control. "Why are you being so fucking cold? One minute we're connecting and the next you're this ice queen who can't even look me in the eye."
