For now, I needed to hold my shit together. Enough at least to stay out of Spencer and Leo’s way while they worked.
But even as I tried to force calm, I couldn’t stop the barrage of questions buffeting my mind.
How long has this been going on? Was it happening the whole time we were together? Was I ever his target? Am I now?
I took a deep breath and turned away from the strip club, staring down the far end of the alley to calm myself down.Five things I can see, four things I can hear…
But before I could make it through the list, the rev of a motorcycle engine broke my focus. I whipped my head around, clocking it at the exact same moment as my saviors: a big, black beast of a bike, hopping the curb right in front of Gabriel.
“No fucking way,” Leo shook her head, visibly nervous for the first time all mission.
“Dom?” Spencer breathed, voiced laced with confusion.
Even as she ripped off her helmet, none of us could believe it was her. What the fuck would she have to do with Gabriel?
But it was clear that she knew him — and exactly where to find him.
And though it was clear even from here that they were arguing, Gabe didn’t look surprised at all to see her. Frustrated, yes, but confused? Shocked? Not at all.
Which meant that this wasn’t some vigilante rogue op. They knew each other. And she’d been keeping it a secret from me for months now.
Could she be involved in his crimes?
No… I wasn’t sure of much anymore, but I’d seen her face when she pulled that rapist out of his car and when she’d handed me the scythe. She was a lot of things, but she wasn’t a sex trafficker.
But then how does she know him?
I couldn’t wrap my head around it. But up until two hours ago, I didn’t know how she knew me either. It seemed like Dom knew a lot of things I didn’t — everyone did.
There was no way that The Oracle didn’t know about this meeting. But why did they want me to see it?
It felt like everything I knew was turning on its head. I couldn’t trust anyone.
The more complicated this web got, the more certain I grew that the night Spencer and Leo found me wasn’t an accident — it couldn’t have been. The Oracle or whoever had sent them to that bar must have known I would be there with Gabe, must have known exactly who I was the moment they sent that order.
But as I looked between Spencer and Leo, I started to wonder if they knew too. Could I even trust them anymore?
42
DOM
15 YEARS OLD
I just wantto go to my room.
But every three steps, some other drunk asshole was holding out a glass of wine or a shot of bourbon.
I ignored the bastard that offered me a red wine, rolling my eyes as I slammed the fridge closed and headed down the hallway.
The whole house was lit up, the windows cracked to let in some fresh air as the smell of sweat and alcohol consumed the entire mansion.
Dad had the cleaners come through hours before he opened the doors to guests, making sure every surface was sparkling. Especially the mahogany dining room table, now covered in poker chips and stacks of cash.
More cash than most people would ever see in their lives. Something Brennan had told me years ago.
Shuffling down the hall, I made my way to the grand, stone staircase in the entryway where more guests were arriving, dress shirts unbuttoned and ties loosened. I recognized some of them, old family friends, business partners.
But the older I got, the more detestable I found them all.
