by KL Donn
“My oldest brother, Maso,” I explain.
“I know,” she replies but doesn’t explain how.
I can almost see the wheels turning in my oldest brother’s head. “How’d he keep you secret all these years?”
She shrugs again, causing my shirt to slip off her shoulder. Nicola is so petite that the damn material looks like a dress on her. And one that doesn’t fit at all.
“You never came home, and he didn’t want you all thinking I was taking advantage of him.” Her words so matter of fact, without the added viciousness I would expect, and it stings.
“And were you? Taking advantage? He was lonely. His wife was in America by herself for seven years. Surely, he paid too much attention to you.” I regret the words as soon as I say them because a storm brews in her gaze, and her fist fucking flies. Right into my face, knocking me off the stool I’ve been sitting at.
Lying on my back on the floor, Nicola stands over top of me, a mixture of rage and betrayal in her stunning gunmetal grey eyes as she seethes down at me. “You saw what I did to Gina, and why. What on earth makes you believe you’d get a free pass? Because I called you daddy and let you in my pussy? I’m not some weak-ass bitch who needs someone to care for her, Domino. I don’t need you or anyone else in this house.”
Maso’s hands raise when she turns her deadly glare loose on him and walks out of the room. “I didn’t mean it like that for fuck sakes,” I say.
“You shouldn’t have said shit to her, man.” Maso laughs at me as I peel myself off the floor. “Did it hurt? It looked like it hurt.”
“Yeah, it fucking hurt. Remind me not to piss her off again.” I can already feel the bruise forming on my cheek. I’m lucky she didn’t hit my eye, or I’m sure it’d be black and swollen. “I can see why Gina’s nose was broken twice now.”
As I go to the fridge and grab a bag of frozen peas, Donato walks back in, pocketing his phone. As he’s about to say something, he looks to Maso and asks instead, “What happened to him?”
And, of course, my brother is so fucking helpful. “His girl cold-cocked him and knocked his ass to the floor.” They both laugh now. If the situation were reversed, I’d probably do the same.
“We got a problem, man.” The seriousness in Donato’s tone has us both shutting up and listening to the disaster we’re about to face.
Chapter 5
Nicola
My temper is a problem.
A big, giant, huge problem. And the fact Domino didn’t come back to bed after I flattened him, I think it’s worse than I ever thought. I didn’t mean to hit him, and after I cooled off, I understood he didn’t mean what he said the way he said it. He was protecting his father as any son should.
But I’ve never had that type of relationship in my entire life. I barely remember my biological parents. Not their love, their faces, nor our family. The memories are so old, they’re forgotten. And my adoptive parents had felt caring towards me, but ever since I was put up for auction, I just feel fooled. Who sells their children or the child they promised to cherish? It simply doesn’t make sense to me. And when things get confusing or they feel insulting, I get defensive. And violent.
I dread going downstairs because I have no idea how Domino is going to be towards me. Or his brothers, especially after the scene I stirred.
Initially, I went downstairs because I had a nightmare. The only one I ever have, and I had hoped that I could talk to Domino about it. That maybe he would comfort me. Now I know that will never happen. I should probably just leave at this point. Why would they even want me here now?
“Now or never.” I muster up the courage to finish dressing, and Capo and I walk down together. The dog goes straight for the patio doors off the kitchen, and I quietly follow him outside. No one appears to be around, and I’m not brave enough to search anyone out. I let Capo to do his doggy business, then we reenter the house on silent feet, and I feed him and get him fresh water.
The coffee maker is off but still lukewarm, so clearly, someone has been around. Making a fresh pot, I grab a pastry from the container that I know Esme likely baked yesterday because they’re still fresh and wait until enough coffee has percolated before filling a cup.
“Feel up for a walk?” I gaze down at Capo, and he cocks his head to the side. I’m taking that as a yes.
Quickly jogging back upstairs after guzzling my hot drink, I grab my purse from my room and Capo’s leash. From the looks of things, Domino only got the basics for the animal, and I know it’ll only be a day or two before he needs more food. A big dog like him, I’m sure he eats a lot.
After leaving a note by the coffee machine, we head out into the bright day. Which is shocking given the rain from yesterday and the predicted forecast. Striding down the long circular drive, Capo stays next to me, only briefly stopping when he smells something of interest. The Cardarelli house is in the midst of the city but so close to the bay that I can see the ferries leaving the docks and travelling across the Tyrrhenian sea.
I’ve never been outside of Sicily before, and as I watch three boats depart, I have the desire to explore more of my home country. Catania is a beautiful city, and Palermo owns my entire heart. As much heartache as it has brought me, there is nothing I love more than exploring the old tombs and speaking to the locals. The markets are always fresh and feature the best of everything our island has to offer.
When you’re feeling trapped, though, it’s hard to appreciate the exquisite gifts before you. Keeping to the pathways and sidewalks as we stroll through the neighborhood and into the markets, Capo stays at my side. His inexplicable training is impressive, given his abusive past.
I see the way others around us avoid going near him, some even crossing the road, but my sweet boy just wags his tail, excited to encounter so many people, hoping one of them will give him a rub. As a group of teenage girls approaches us, a couple are weary, but one or two are curious and ask to pet him. Capo sniffs their hands before laying down and offering his belly for scratches. It doesn’t take long before all of them join in before going on their way once again.
Arriving at the pet store, we enter and are met with the same avoidance as outside, but Capo ignores the staring and the other dogs attempting to sniff his butt. Standing in the dog food aisle, I’m lost. I have no idea which option is best for him. They’re labeled by brand, with selections for breed, age, size, healthy diet, and more. The choices are almost overwhelming.
“It’s a tad much, isn’t it?” a young man around my age asks as he stands on the opposite side of the row. I nod, not really interested in conversing with him. He doesn’t seem to care, however. “I like this one. It has all-natural ingredients and is good for them.” He points to a brand that advertises the nutritional qualities of the food. I read the back and decide to try it. I figure Capo will let me know if he likes it or not.
“Thanks for the help.” I smile as I try to pick the fifty-pound bag up and drop it.
“Can I help you?” Looking around, I don’t see any store employees nearby, so I nod with a smile. “I’m Leo.” He returns my grin.
It takes me a minute to realize he’s waiting for me to introduce myself. “Uhm, Nicola. This is Capo.” I point down, obviously.
“Nice to meet you both. Maybe we could go to the café across the street for lemonade after I help you take this home.” Leo’s offer is friendly enough, but I’m a suspicious sort, so I don’t trust him yet.
“Actually, I’m going to have this delivered to my home. That way, they can bring a few bags.” Turning, I lead the way to the register. After arranging the delivery and payment, I expected Leo to be gone.
He’s not.
He waited outside the store, and as soon as we exit, he’s at my side.
“So, how about that lemonade?” I eye him up critically, my gut screaming at me to say no, to return home, but my manners remind me he helped me in the store. “Maybe I can walk you home; we can talk.”
Capo seems to sense my discomfort
because he places his body between us and crowds me away from Leo. “Maybe next time. Thanks for the help.” Capo continues to herd me away while keeping his eye on the stranger as we walk on.
I know better than to go straight home. Especially after he showed interest in finding out where I live twice. That was a bit too much for me.
After walking around the markets, bustling down busy alleys, and up side streets, I need a break from the heat and exercise, so we find a shady place to sit in one of the parks. Our rest is short-lived, though, as we’re approached by two police officers.
Domino
Sitting behind my father’s desk, a place I never thought I’d be, I still can’t believe the information we’ve been given. Not only is Mario Santini chief of police here, but he’s also the cousin to the man who sold Nicola. Who also ordered the hit on Nicola’s parents when she was four. An act that she witnessed. A tragedy that she’s never mentioned before.
My own father had a lot to say about it all too.
As Donato’s contact, Santi dug deeper, he learned that the day Nicola’s parents were killed, Salvatore took her. She wasn’t adopted, as she believes. She was kidnapped.
Then sold.
It’s going to kill her.
The more we learn, the more Nicola’s behavior makes sense. Whether she believes it or not, she hasn’t processed the terrifying events of her life. I bet she’s got them so deeply buried in her memory that she doesn’t remember them either. And if she does, I’d be shocked.
“How the fuck do I tell her this?” I ask the room at large. Santi stops speaking on the phone, and Maso and Donato shrug. I didn’t expect an answer, but I was hoping for some advice. Because as wild as her temper is, this is going to break her heart.
Shoving back from the desk, I prowl around the room like a caged tiger. Ready to snap and snarl at anyone who gets in my way. “Dude, you’re going to have to calm down first.” I hear Maso, but I don’t care.
I’m fucking livid that these people thought they could play with Nicola’s life like it’s a goddamned board game. She’s hopped from one trauma to the next her entire life. And now, here I am, a demanding, aggressive, possessive asshole who still can’t handle the idea of letting her go, even if that’s what she wants.
Storming towards the doors, I feel my brothers’ eyes on me as I leave the room and go in search of the woman I left alone in my bed. My cheek throbs as I remember the blow she delivered to me last night. Deservedly so. I should have followed her upstairs after that, but the information kept coming, and I needed to gather it all before I could offer her comfort and answers.
However she reacts to this news, I’ll be ready. I’ll accept her wrath because I know there will be plenty of it.
Bursting through my bedroom door, the bed is empty, and there’s no sign of her. Worry worms its way through me as I go back downstairs, towards the kitchen.
A fresh carafe of coffee sits on the counter, and there’s a note next to it. In Nicola’s feminine scrawl, she explains where she’s heading and the time she left. With over an hour’s headstart on me, I’m pissed she didn’t come find me.
“Nicola’s gone!” I shout as I head to the garage. Getting in my SUV, I back out as fast as the rising door allows me. Noticing a delivery van with the logo of the local pet store in the driveway, dropping off four huge bags of dog food, I breathe a little easier.
Rolling down my window, I stop the man and ask, “Did you see the girl who bought those?” He nods. “How long ago?”
“Bought them an hour or so ago. She left the store with another guy about her age.” My anger ignites to infuriating levels as I speed down the driveway and race towards the markets, searching for Nicola on every corner. After ten minutes, I finally spot her in a park.
Cornered against a tree, I can see the fear in her eyes as two police officers harass her. Capo is standing between them with her hand on his head. Likely the only thing keeping the dog calm.
“Hey!” I shout as I barely get the vehicle in park and jump out, ready for a confrontation. “What the fuck are you doing with her?”
I only get a quick glimpse of her eyes before she lowers them, and what I see, I don’t like. She’s fucking petrified.
“This isn’t your concern, sir,” one of the officers says, placing his hand on his holster.
Biting back the laugh in my throat, I stalk forward. Capo relaxes slightly, and Nicola tenses further. Clasping the back of her neck, I draw her out of the corner they’ve trapped her in and wrap an arm across her shoulders. She’s vibrating.
“That’s where you’re wrong. As my soon-to-be wife, she’s completely my concern.” I squeeze her shoulder when I feel her stiffen because I know she’s gearing up to give me an argument. “So I ask again, what the fuck do you think you’re doing cornering my girl against a tree?”
“Her dog is vicious. It should be muzzled,” the other officer defends.
“The fuck he is! You were trying to provoke him into attacking you by cornering me. They’re lying, Domino. He didn’t even growl at them.” I can hear the tears in words.
“Shh, baby. I’ve got this.” The officers share a look that tells me they chose Nicola on purpose. They sought her out. “Come near her again, and I’ll gut you both like pigs. You can tell your boss the same.” Turning the girl in my arms around, I guide her to the SUV. After helping her and Capo in, we head back home.
“I never thanked you for Capo,” Nicola expresses quietly before glancing up at me and holding my stare. “Thank you, Domino.”
Nodding, I start the car. “You’re welcome. Seems he’s a good fit.”
The remainder of the ride is tense and silent until I park in the garage and the overhead door closes. Enraptured in darkness, I hesitate a beat before getting out. Striding over to her side of the vehicle, I first let the dog out, then open her door. With an offered hand, I help Nicola to her feet.
Slamming the door shut behind her, I see the way she flinches in the dim light spilling in from the side windows of the building. Corralling Nicola against the metal frame, much the same way the officers did to her against the tree, I enclose her within my arms.
“What the fuck did you think you were doing, going out there alone and without fucking telling me?” I bark at her, but inside, my body is drawn to hers. Dying to infiltrate her sweet body. All I want to do is fuck her until we’re both blind.
Blowing out a breath, she challenges me. “I didn’t realize I was trapped here.” Nicola crosses her arms and lifts her chin in defiance. All gratitude gone.
“Trapped?” A merciless laugh bubbles up in my throat. “You aren’t fucking trapped, Nicola, but how about some fucking courtesy? Maybe letting the man you’re sleeping with know that you didn’t fucking disappear and went to get shit for your dog.”
I know I’m being unreasonable and barking at her, but that second when I realized she was gone, I honestly didn’t know if she would be back.
“Maybe if you stopped treating me like a petulant child and yelling at me all the time, I’d let you know when I do things.” Her hands push at my chest as she attempts to escape, but I only encroach further, making her one with the vehicle’s frame.
“Don’t fuck with me, Nicola. I won’t hesitate to do what every other man in your life has.” My warning is met with laughter.
“What? Fuck me and make me call you daddy? Because I promise you, Domino, I don’t need a daddy.” The wobble in her chin says differently, and I’m suddenly reminded of the shit she’s gone through in her life.
Softening, I wrap one arm around her back and delve the other into her soft hair, gathering her closer as I drop my head onto her shoulder. Breathing in her natural scent.
“Christ, Nicola.” Kissing along her neck, down her jaw, I finally capture her mouth. “You do need a daddy, and come hell or high water, that’s always fucking going to be me.” Stopping any protest she’d have made, I stick my tongue in her mouth. Tasting her, the coffee and pastry mix, and
I tease until she finally relaxes in my embrace.
Pulling back is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Panting, I say, “We need to talk about some shit, cara mia.”
Nicola
Swallowing roughly, I stare up at Domino. The encounter with the police in the park was terrifying but nothing like the way this man is discerning me now. There’s anguish in his normally unreadable eyes while he guides me into the house through the garage.
“What do you remember about your birth parents’ deaths?” His question throws me off guard.
They’re people I haven’t thought about in a very long time. Mostly because I don’t remember them, but also because, as unreasonable as it, I’m angry at them for leaving me alone in this world.
“Truthfully, not very much. I get flashes of moments every now and again, but nothing substantial. I was only four when they died.” As we enter Santo’s office, Domino closes the door behind us and sits me on the small sofa in the room. “What’s going on, Domino?”
Staring up at the man who, in the last twenty-four hours, has completely rocked my world, I feel a trace of fear shiver down my spine.
“Gina Santini.” Anger erupts in my chest at the mention of her name. “She isn’t going away. Her father is chief of police here.”
“So I’m going back to jail then?” I have to ignore the chilling thought. “What does that have to do with my parents?”
Domino’s head shakes as he sits and cups my cheek in his warm hand. “No, cara mia, you are not going to jail. I will never allow that to happen.”
“Then what, Domino? Just spit it out.” I’ve never been a very patient person.
“The chief is not a nice man. He wants to punish you. In order to keep that from happening, Maso, Donato, and I asked our brother Santi to help find anything to use against the man so I can blackmail him into forgetting about you. To keep Gina away from you because, like it or not, you still have a month of school to finish and graduate.” Shifting nervously on the couch, he’s obviously found something, or he wouldn’t be beating around the bush so much.