Chapter 4 - The Champion Became Her Friend
Sadie refused to hide.
Dominic disagreed.
“You're staying at my house.”
“No.”
“That's not a request.”
“Then the answer is definitely no.”
They stood inside Dominic's office arguing while Knox ate Chinese food from a carton.
Dominic pointed toward him.
“Tell her.”
Knox swallowed.
“He is right.”
Sadie stared.
“Traitor.”
Knox shrugged.
“I enjoy being alive.”
Dominic continued.
“Leo gave them your address.”
Sadie's expression changed.
That ended the argument.
An hour later, she entered Dominic's estate carrying one duffel bag.
She looked around.
“You live here alone?”
“Mostly.”
“It's enormous.”
“I've noticed.”
“Do you ever answer normally?”
“No.”
Knox laughed.
Over the next week, Sadie discovered something unexpected.
Dominic's world was dangerous.
But Dominic himself was more complicated than she'd assumed.
He paid his employees well.
He knew the names of their children.
He quietly covered medical bills for Knox's mother.
And every morning at six, he drank terrible coffee alone in his kitchen.
Sadie discovered that last detail by accident.
She entered wearing sweatpants.
Dominic looked up.
“You're awake.”
“Your security system beeps every thirty seconds.”
“You noticed?”
“The whole neighborhood noticed.”
He poured another coffee.
“Want one?”
Sadie tasted it.
Her face twisted.
“This is awful.”
Dominic looked offended.
“It's imported.”
“From where? A gas station?”
He laughed.
It was the first time Sadie had heard him laugh without cruelty behind it.
Then his phone rang.
The smile vanished.
“What?”
He listened.
“When?”
Another pause.
“I'm coming.”
He hung up.
Sadie stood.
“What happened?”
“One of my warehouses was hit.”
Knox entered moments later.
“Leo's information?”
Dominic nodded.
Sadie looked between them.
“This is what they wanted.”
Dominic frowned.
“What?”
“They want you reacting.”
“Explain.”
“Leo knew your habits. He knew you'd answer an attack immediately.”
Knox stopped.
Sadie continued.
“What if the warehouse isn't the target?”
Dominic stared at her.
“Then what is?”
Sadie looked toward the windows.
“You.”
Dominic's phone rang again.
This time Knox answered.
His face changed.
“Boss.”
“What?”
“The convoy sent to the warehouse was intercepted.”
Silence.
Dominic looked at Sadie.
She had just saved his life.
Again.
That evening, Dominic found her training with Knox.
“Again,” Sadie ordered.
Knox charged.
She redirected him.
He hit the mat.
“Better.”
Knox groaned.
“For you.”
Dominic leaned against the doorway.
“You've changed him.”
Sadie offered Knox a hand.
“He relies too much on strength.”
Knox stood.
“And she talks too much.”
Dominic smiled.
Sadie looked at him.
“What?”
“You're different here.”
“Meaning?”
“You're not trying to disappear.”
Her smile faded.
Dominic approached.
“You shouldn't.”
“Shouldn't what?”
“Disappear.”
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Sadie said quietly:
“Careful.”
“Why?”
“You're starting to sound like someone I'd actually consider marrying.”
Dominic froze.
Knox immediately walked away.
“No.”
Sadie laughed.
“What?”
Knox pointed toward the door.
May you like
“I refuse to witness this.”
---
