Chapter 5 - The Man Behind the Navy Coat
Dominic took me to a secured penthouse overlooking the Chicago River.
I hated how beautiful it was.
Mostly because it confirmed everything Tommy had said.
“This is yours?”
“Yes.”
“How many apartments do you have?”
“Enough.”
“That sounds obnoxious.”
“I've been called worse.”
I stood at the window.
Dominic remained several feet away.
He had given me space since Frank’s.
I appreciated that.
“What happens to Tommy?”
“He helps me find Michael.”
“And then?”
Dominic didn't answer.
“Dominic.”
“He betrayed me.”
“Because someone took your brother.”
“He still made the choice.”
“So did I.”
He looked at me.
“I chose to spill your coffee.”
“That isn't the same.”
“No. But choices look different when you're scared.”
Dominic studied me.
“You're defending him?”
“I’m saying maybe you should find your brother before deciding what Tommy deserves.”
His phone rang.
He answered.
“Yeah?”
His expression changed.
“Where?”
A pause.
“I'm coming.”
He hung up.
“They found Michael.”
“Alive?”
“Yes.”
I exhaled.
“Good.”
Dominic grabbed his coat.
Then stopped.
“You stay here.”
“Absolutely.”
He narrowed his eyes.
“That was too easy.”
“I’m learning.”
He left.
Two hours passed.
Then three.
At almost midnight, the elevator opened.
Dominic stepped out.
A younger man walked beside him.
Michael.
Tommy followed.
The moment Tommy saw Michael, his knees nearly buckled.
“Mike.”
Michael crossed the room and hugged him.
Tommy closed his eyes.
Dominic watched.
I walked beside him.
“You found him.”
“Yes.”
“And Sloane?”
“Gone.”
“He escaped?”
“For now.”
Michael approached Dominic.
“Tommy kept me alive.”
Dominic's jaw tightened.
Michael continued.
“They wanted him to poison you immediately. He delayed them three days.”
Tommy looked at Dominic.
“I couldn't find another way.”
“You could've told me.”
“They watched me every second.”
Dominic stared at his oldest friend.
Tommy swallowed.
“I'm sorry.”
A long silence followed.
Finally Dominic said:
“You're alive because Emma told me to wait.”
Tommy looked at me.
“Coffee girl.”
I raised an eyebrow.
He corrected himself.
“Emma.”
“Better.”
Dominic almost smiled.
Then the elevator chimed.
Everyone turned.
The doors opened.
Anthony walked out.
Dominic's smile disappeared.
Anthony raised his hands.
“Boss.”
Dominic stepped forward.
“You've got nerve.”
Anthony frowned.
“What?”
Tommy whispered:
“That's Sloane's man.”
Anthony immediately backed toward the elevator.
The doors closed behind him.
Locked.
Dominic had already disabled them from his phone.
Anthony stared at him.
Dominic spoke calmly.
“You were outside Emma's apartment.”
“I was protecting her.”
“From whom?”
Anthony hesitated.
Wrong answer.
Dominic stepped closer.
“Who told Sloane where she lived?”
Anthony said nothing.
Michael moved toward him.
Dominic raised a hand.
“No.”
He looked at Anthony.
“You're going to tell me everything.”
Anthony smiled.
“You think this ends with me?”
“No.”
Dominic glanced toward me.
“It ends with the woman you all thought was invisible.”
Anthony's smile faded.
Because I was holding my phone.
Recording.
And Anthony had just admitted enough during his argument with Tommy to connect himself to Sloane.
I lifted the phone.
“Smile.”
Dominic looked at me.
For the first time since I'd met him, the most intimidating man in Chicago looked genuinely surprised.
“You recorded that?”
“I work nights at a diner.”
I shrugged.
May you like
“I know crazy when I see it.”
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