Chapter 4 - The Man in the Hospital Scrubs
I pressed the nurse-call button.
Nothing happened.
The man approached.
“Don't scream.”
“I was considering it.”
He smiled.
“Victor Costa wants to talk.”
“Tell Victor to make an appointment.”
His smile vanished.
He grabbed my IV line.
Before he could pull it, the door slammed inward.
Dominic entered.
Everything happened quickly.
He drove the intruder against the wall.
Enzo followed.
“Alive,” Dominic ordered.
The man struggled.
Enzo restrained him.
Dominic immediately came to me.
“Are you hurt?”
“No.”
“Did he touch you?”
“Dominic—”
“Did he touch you?”
“No.”
His shoulders loosened slightly.
Enzo dragged the intruder toward the hallway.
The man laughed.
“You still haven't told her, Rossi.”
Dominic turned.
“Told me what?” I asked.
The intruder grinned.
“Ask your husband why Costa wants Thomas Bennett's daughter alive.”
Dominic's face hardened.
“Take him.”
The door closed.
I stared at Dominic.
“Alive?”
He said nothing.
“Costa wants me alive?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Dominic pulled the chair closer.
“Your father hid a copy of the evidence.”
“Where?”
“Nobody knows.”
“I was six when he died.”
“He apparently left instructions intended for you.”
“I never received anything.”
“Costa thinks your mother has it.”
My blood went cold.
“My mother.”
Dominic nodded.
“He hasn't reached her.”
“How do you know?”
“Because twelve Rossi men are surrounding her treatment center.”
I stared at him.
“You protected her?”
“Before the gala.”
“Before I saved Isabella?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Dominic seemed surprised by the question.
“Because she’s your mother.”
That answer complicated everything.
---
Two days later, my mother called.
Her voice shook.
“Claire?”
“Mom.”
“Why are men in suits outside my room?”
I looked at Dominic.
He sat across from me.
“Long story.”
“One called you Mrs. Rossi.”
I closed my eyes.
“Even longer story.”
“Claire Bennett, did you get married?”
“Technically.”
“TECHNICALLY?”
Dominic almost smiled.
I pointed at him.
“Don't.”
Mom heard.
“Is he there?”
“Yes.”
“Put him on.”
“No.”
“Claire.”
I handed Dominic the phone.
He looked genuinely nervous for the first time.
“Mrs. Bennett.”
My mother's voice was loud enough for me to hear.
“Did you marry my unconscious daughter?”
“Yes, ma'am.”
“Are you stupid?”
Dominic glanced at me.
“Your daughter has raised that possibility.”
“Does she love you?”
Silence.
“No.”
“Do you love her?”
Dominic looked at me.
Too long.
I stopped breathing.
“I'll protect her.”
“That wasn't my question.”
Dominic's voice lowered.
“No. It wasn't.”
He handed the phone back.
I couldn't look at him.
Mom became quieter.
“Claire, there's something you need.”
“What?”
“Your father left you a key.”
I sat straighter.
“What key?”
“I promised never to give it to you unless someone came looking for Thomas Bennett's records.”
Dominic stood.
“Where is it?”
Mom heard him.
“Dominic?”
“Yes.”
“If you're protecting my daughter, bring her to Cleveland.”
“Too dangerous.”
“Then Costa wins.”
Dominic looked at me.
I answered for him.
“We're coming.”
“No,” Dominic said.
“Yes.”
“Claire.”
“You married me without permission.”
“That is not going to become your argument for every bad decision.”
“It absolutely is.”
For the first time, Isabella laughed from the doorway.
Dominic looked betrayed.
“Mother.”
“I like your wife.”
“She isn't actually—”
I raised my ring.
“Careful. Apparently I'm a Rossi.”
Isabella smiled.
Dominic stared at me.
Something changed between us.
Small.
Dangerous.
May you like
Real.
---
