Chapter 4 - The Trap at Frank’s Diner
The men outside disappeared almost as quickly as they arrived.
Dominic's people secured the diner.
Nobody had been hurt.
I stood behind the counter staring at Dominic.
“You knew they were coming.”
“I suspected.”
“You used Tommy as bait.”
“Yes.”
“And me?”
His expression changed.
“No.”
“You brought me here.”
“Because Tommy refused to talk without you.”
“That sounds like using me.”
Dominic looked away.
I grabbed my coat.
“I'm leaving.”
“You can't.”
I spun around.
“Try stopping me.”
One of his men glanced nervously between us.
Dominic lifted a hand.
Everyone backed away.
“Emma.”
“No. You don't get to decide where I go.”
“Sloane knows your name.”
“Because of you.”
“Yes.”
That single answer stopped me.
Dominic stepped closer.
“You're right.”
Again.
No excuses.
“You saved me, and now you're in danger because of it.”
“What do you want me to say?”
“Nothing.”
He placed a key on the counter.
“What is that?”
“Apartment.”
“I have an apartment.”
“One Sloane knows about.”
“I’m not moving into some place you own.”
“Then choose a hotel. Choose a building. Choose another city. I'll pay.”
“I don't want your money.”
“It's not charity.”
“Then what is it?”
“A debt.”
I stared at him.
“I don't want you owing me.”
“Too late.”
Behind us, Tommy laughed weakly.
“You two finished?”
Dominic turned.
“No.”
Tommy nodded toward me.
“She needs to know.”
“Know what?”
Tommy looked at Dominic.
“Tell her who you are.”
Dominic's face hardened.
I looked between them.
“Who are you?”
Tommy smiled without humor.
“Dominic Vale.”
“I know his name.”
“No.”
Tommy shook his head.
“You know the name. You don't know what it means.”
Dominic said sharply:
“Tommy.”
“What? She saved your life. You think she deserves another lie?”
I looked at Dominic.
“Tell me.”
He remained silent.
Tommy answered instead.
“Half the unions along the river won't make a decision without talking to him. Clubs, warehouses, trucking companies—people know Vale.”
“Stop.”
Dominic's voice ended the explanation.
But I understood enough.
I stared at him.
“You're some kind of mob boss.”
“I don't use that term.”
I laughed once.
“Of course you don't.”
“Emma—”
“No wonder someone wants you dead.”
Dominic accepted the insult.
Then Tommy said something that wiped the humor from both our faces.
“Sloane doesn't just want Dom.”
Dominic looked at him.
Tommy continued.
“He wants everything.”
“What does that mean?”
“He's been paying people inside your organization.”
“Names.”
“I only know one.”
“Who?”
Tommy hesitated.
“Anthony.”
Dominic went completely still.
I remembered the man beside the sedan outside my apartment.
“Anthony?”
Dominic turned to me.
“What?”
“The man outside my building this morning.”
His expression changed.
“What about him?”
“He was leaning against your car.”
Dominic looked at Tommy.
Tommy nodded.
“That's him.”
Dominic immediately pulled out his phone.
No answer.
He tried again.
Still nothing.
Then mine buzzed.
A text.
Unknown number.
A photograph appeared.
My apartment door.
Taken from inside my hallway.
Beneath it were five words.
You should have stayed invisible.
Dominic read it.
His jaw tightened.
“Emma.”
“What?”
“You're not going home.”
I looked at the photograph again.
May you like
For once, I didn't argue.
---
