Chapter 4 - The Brother at the Gate
Vincent Corso arrived that night.
Three black vehicles rolled through the estate gates.
Fay was carrying clean linens downstairs when Mrs. Gable caught her arm.
“Kitchen.”
“What’s happening?”
“Kitchen. Now.”
Fay obeyed.
For approximately thirty seconds.
Then she heard shouting from the study.
She stepped into the corridor.
Vincent stood across from Dominic.
He resembled his brother, but where Dominic was controlled, Vincent burned hot.
“You think I cut your brakes?”
“I asked you a question,” Dominic said.
“And I'm answering it.”
“By shouting?”
Vincent slammed both hands onto the desk.
“I spent six months trying to keep your organization from collapsing while you locked yourself upstairs!”
Dominic’s expression hardened.
“Watch yourself.”
“No. You watch yourself.”
Carmine moved closer.
Vincent noticed Fay in the doorway.
“Who is she?”
“Leave her out of this,” Dominic said immediately.
Vincent looked between them.
Then understood enough to smile.
“Well.”
Dominic's voice dropped.
“Don't.”
“The famous Dominic Corso finally lets someone close.”
“Vincent.”
“Does she know what you are?”
Fay stepped into the room.
“I know he throws breakfast when he's angry.”
Vincent stared at her.
Carmine covered a smile.
Even Dominic seemed briefly speechless.
Vincent laughed.
“I like her.”
“You don't need to,” Dominic said.
Vincent became serious.
“I didn't touch your brakes.”
“Prove it.”
“I can't.”
“Then give me something useful.”
Vincent hesitated.
“Anthony.”
Dominic's eyes narrowed.
“What about him?”
“He was moving money before your crash.”
“How much?”
“Nearly two million.”
Carmine cursed quietly.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because you were fighting to stay alive.”
“And afterward?”
Vincent looked toward the wheelchair.
That was enough.
Dominic's face went cold.
“You thought I was finished.”
“I thought you had enough.”
“You thought I was weak.”
“I thought you were my brother.”
Silence.
Vincent straightened.
“Anthony visited the garage the night before your crash.”
Dominic looked at Carmine.
“Find him.”
“He disappeared this morning.”
Dominic's jaw tightened.
Fay quietly backed away.
“Fay.”
She stopped.
Dominic looked at her.
“Stay inside tonight.”
“I was planning to.”
“I mean it.”
“So do I.”
Hours later, Fay found him alone in the rehabilitation room.
He had ordered the equipment brought upstairs after his tiny movement that afternoon.
His hands gripped parallel bars.
Fay stopped at the doorway.
Dominic noticed her.
“Don't say it.”
“I haven't said anything.”
“You have a very loud face.”
She approached.
“How long?”
“Forty minutes.”
“You need rest.”
“I need my legs.”
“Those aren't the same thing.”
He tried shifting his weight.
His arms trembled.
Fay remained close but did not touch him.
“Again,” Dominic said.
He concentrated.
His right leg moved slightly.
Then his knee buckled.
Fay caught his torso.
Dominic grabbed the bar.
For several seconds they were face-to-face.
“Got you,” she whispered.
His breathing was heavy.
“I hate that sentence.”
“Why?”
“Because everyone who says it eventually lets go.”
Fay looked at him.
“Then stop choosing people who do.”
Neither moved.
Dominic’s hand rested against her waist.
Fay’s palm was against his chest.
Then Mrs. Gable appeared.
She stopped.
Fay immediately stepped back.
Dominic cleared his throat.
“Something?”
Mrs. Gable's expression remained perfectly neutral.
“Mr. Corso, Carmine needs you.”
She turned toward Fay.
“And your landlord called the staff line.”
Fay went pale.
“Why?”
“Your apartment has been cleared.”
Fay ran downstairs.
Her landlord answered on the second call.
“You missed the deadline.”
“Friday is tomorrow.”
“Payment was due today.”
“That’s not what the notice says.”
“You can argue in court.”
“My things?”
“Storage for twenty-four hours.”
The call ended.
Fay stood motionless.
Dominic had followed her.
“What happened?”
“Nothing.”
“Don't do that.”
She turned.
“Do what?”
“Lie to me the way I lie to everyone else.”
Her eyes filled, but she refused to cry.
“I lost my apartment.”
Dominic reached for his phone.
“No.”
He stopped.
“I know what you're about to do.”
“You don't.”
“You’re going to fix it.”
“Yes.”
“No.”
“Fay—”
“I don't want your money.”
“It isn't charity.”
“What is it?”
Dominic had no answer.
She removed her apron.
“I need to get my belongings.”
“You're not going alone.”
“I've been alone a long time.”
Dominic looked directly at her.
“Not anymore.”
Fay stopped.
Before either could speak again, Carmine rushed into the hall.
“Boss.”
Dominic turned.
“We found Anthony.”
“Where?”
“Outside the city.”
Carmine’s expression darkened.
May you like
“And he says Vincent ordered the accident.”
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