by Ursula Dukes
“Dominique I wish you had told me sooner, I don’t know what to say to you, I can only imagine what you’ve gone through these past two years and yet you survived through it , you are continuing to survive through it and now Dominique, now that you told me, I want to help you to get through it. I want to be the one to help you move on Dominique if you’ll let me. Let me be there for you.” He said, his own eyes tearing up at the thought of her incredible sorrow.
“Thank you Adam.” Was all that she could muster. Adam wanted to do something for her; he wanted to take her away from the horrible memory. Glancing at his watch, he frowned, not enough time, he thought, but it still might work.
Pulling Dominique out of his embrace just enough to look at her, he hoped he could convince her to go along with his idea.
“Dominique, let me take you away. Before you say no, I want you to listen to what I’m about to say. I want to take you away, just for the weekend, I want to take you to our summer cottage out on Nantucket Island, now it’s too late for us to catch the ferry from Hyannis but here’s what I’m thinking, we head to Hyannis tonight, get a room and jump on the ferry first thing in the morning. What do you say Dominique? Let me do this please. You can reflect, relax, do anything you want Dominique, if you want to be alone you can walk on the beach alone, if you want me to walk with you, I’ll walk with you, but please allow me to take you there. What do you think?”
She knew what her answer was before he even finished convincing her.
“What should I pack?” She said blowing her nose and wiping away her tears. Her response had taken Adam by surprise but he was glad to hear it.
“Dominique, I promise you, I’ll do everything in my power to try and take your mind off things.”
“I have no doubt that you will Adam,” she said with a smile. That’s what I need; I need to forget, not about my boys, but about the pain and emptiness that I’ve carried around these two years. Dominique thought it incredibly ironic that here she was going away with the brother of the man responsible for the deaths of Stephen and Teddy. As long as he's had nothing to do with it, I'll be alright she promised herself, and this may be just what I need, she told herself as she packed.
“What about you Adam? Aren’t you going to pack anything?” Dominique asked when she came out of her room dressed in jeans and a sweater, carrying her overnight bag.
Adam shook his head at her; no matter what she wore she looked amazing.
“I’ve got plenty up at the cottage so don’t worry about me. Adam grabbed her bags, “let’s hit the road.”
By the time they reached Hyannis it was well after 8 o’clock. Adam had called and made reservations at The Hyannis Harbor Hotel while they were on the road. Dominique had never been to Cape Cod. Although she and Stephen had talked about taking a vacation there, they never got around to it.
Jonathan picked up his ringing cell phone. “Sir you wanted to know what Miss Foster was up to tonight.” Paul was the name of the investigator that Jonathan had hired to follow Dominique.
“Yes Paul, what’s she doing? Is she with my son again?”
“Well yes she is sir but they are leaving the brownstone now, and she is carrying an overnight bag, sir. Do you want me to hang around here and see if they come back?”
“No Paul, I want you to follow them and let me know the moment you find out their destination you hear me?”
“Yes sir I hear you but you know that I consider weekends as overtime.”
“Yes Paul, you just make sure that you don’t let them out of your sight.”
Jonathan knew the closer his son got to Dominique the worse things were going to get. But only if she finds out, he thought to himself. “Keep looking ahead Dominique Foster, keep looking ahead because if you look back you won’t like what you’ll find”. He whispered out loud.
“What do you say we check in first, and then grab a bite to eat Dominique?” Adam said as he removed her bag from the back seat of the range rover.
“That sounds great.” Dominique’s mood had improved greatly and she was glad. Must be the atmosphere she told herself. When Adam offered her his hand, she took it gleefully as they strolled inside the hotel.
“Geez Adam this place is gorgeous, not only are you handsome, but you’re also very romantic aren’t you?” She said smiling.
“Did you say romantic and handsome?” he asked with a chuckle.
“Well yeah, I mean not a lot of guys would think of taking off to Nantucket for a weekend, especially this time of year am I right?”
“Oh you’re absolutely right Dominique, you’re absolutely right,” he said giving her hand a squeeze. Adam wanted to tell her that yes, she was right, he was a romantic but he knew he would have a much better time showing her. When they entered their room, Dominique took one look around and jumped onto the bed as if she were a child again. Adam loved seeing the smile on her face and the brightness in her eyes had returned.
Dominique had not felt so carefree in a very long time.
“Adam thank you again, I can’t wait to see Nantucket tomorrow, I want you to show me everything.”
“You might want to rephrase that Dominique,” he said with a grin.
She pushed him playfully. “You know what I mean Adam, now let’s eat, I’m starving,” she said opening the door. So am I, Adam said to himself as he watched her walk out, so am I.
While Dominique and Adam enjoyed their dinner, Paul sat in his car smoking a cigarette while he dialed his employer’s number.
“Sir, its Paul, looks like their holed up for the night here in Hyannis at the Harbor Hotel. You want me to stay the night?” This is why I have no life, Paul thought to himself as he waited for an answer.
“No Paul, I think I know where he’s taking her and there’s only one way on and off the island so head on back and don’t worry. I’ll pay you for the weekend.”
Jonathan hung up the phone and finished the rest of his scotch in one gulp. If Adam was taking her to their family cottage out on the island than that meant he was serious about Dominique. He sighed heavily as he wondered what Dominique would do if she found out that she was falling in love with the brother of her husband and son’s killer.”
Dominique opened the door to the bathroom and found Adam shirtless and looking as sexy as ever lying on the bed, pillows propped up, and hands behind his head, totally engrossed in the television watching a game. Jumping on the bed Dominique straddled him and kissed him long and hard before moving over to her side of the bed.
“Oh no you don't woman, get back over here,” he grinned as he turned off the TV and made love to her all night long.
The morning was cold as they stood on the upper level of the ferry and watched the island come into view. Even through the fog, Dominique thought the view was breathtaking, almost overwhelming. Adam told her it was a view that he could never get tired of looking at, especially at this time of year. The island seemed uncluttered, and purely authentic. As the ferry drew closer to the island, they hurried to the car so they would be able to drive off the moment the ferry reached its destination.
Once off the ferry, Adam drove towards Great Point, he wanted to show Dominique the mystical spot where the sand seemed to go into nothing. Dominique stood in awe as she gazed upon what she thought was the most beautiful spot in the world. Except for her and Adam, there wasn’t a soul around and she liked that, she liked not having to feel rushed while gazing at the view. As the cold wind mixed with ocean spray and whipped onto shore, Dominique felt as if this was a place where a person could take the time to figure out where they’ve been and where they were going.
With every spot that Adam drove or walked her to, he stepped back. He wanted her to have her space. He wanted her to feel the same way that he felt the many times that he had traveled here on his own to this majestic island. He remembered how he had come here once in the dead of winter, he took a walk and watched as the sun peeked through gray, almost black clouds. The feeling of isolation was so strong h
e thought for a moment that he was the only one on the island.
It wasn’t until they were driving through the moors that Dominique spoke. She thanked Adam again and told him that this is exactly what she needed. She had never seen such beauty and isolation; it was almost heartbreaking she told him.
“Adam, it’s all just so gorgeous, thank you for letting me in on your secret,” she whispered to him as he drove to the cottage.
This was a first for Adam; he had never shared his family’s cottage with anyone during the fall and winter months. He had kept this oasis to himself. He had not wanted to share it. Sure he used to bring woman here all the time in the summer. Once he shared with them that his family owned a summer home on the island he’d been all but forced to take them there. Even though he knew it was for superficial reasons, he took them anyway. And a part of him liked it, liked having a woman on his arm who he could impress but the feelings were fake and he soon grew tired of not being loved, he wanted something more, something substantial. A real, relationship that would be honest and true and he wanted to have that with Dominique.
Chapter Eleven
“Um Adam, I thought you said your family had a cottage?” Dominique said as she stared wide eyed at the large mansion looming in the distance.
“That’s it right there,” he said undoubtedly.
“We obviously have different definitions of the word cottage Adam. Because this isn’t a cottage, it’s a small town, it’s wonderful. Your family owns all this?” She asked now seriously considering going to law school.
Adam couldn’t help but chuckle. “Yes, it belonged to my grandparents and they left it to my Dad, this is where my brother and I spent our summers Dominique.”
“It’s beautiful, absolutely beautiful and we have it all to ourselves?” Dominique smiled with delight.
“That we do Dominique. Come, let’s go inside.”
Dominique twirled around like a child who had just entered a fairy tale. The so-called cottage housed 6 bedrooms each with its own theme, a gourmet kitchen, family room, living room, formal dining room and last but not least panoramic views that almost made her dizzy with their beauty.
“You were one lucky kid to have all this to spend your summers in Adam, but I’m sure you know that.”
“Yes I do Dominique and I am lucky that you decided to come with me this weekend too.”
“Are you kidding? I am so glad that I decided to come along, but let me ask you, were you planning on coming here yesterday once you left my house?”
Adam looked solemnly for a moment. “Yes I was Dominique, I wanted to get away for a couple days and clear my head. I’d had a rough week and needed to get away, I had planned on asking you to go with me when we were at work yesterday, but when I saw you and you looked… well you looked so sad, and then you told me that you didn’t want to see me just then I’ll admit, I was devastated, I’d thought I’d come on too strong these past few weeks and drove you away. I had every intention of leaving earlier but I just couldn’t Dominique, something made me stay and next thing I knew I found myself sitting on your steps.”
“Well whatever it was that made you stay, I’m glad,” she said taking his hand in hers.
“There’s something else Dominique,” he said looking into her eyes.
“I want to help you find the person who killed your husband and son.”
Dominique quickly turned and stared out the window. She didn't need his help, but falling for Adam wasn't part of the plan, now of course she would have to accept his help, otherwise he may become suspicious. But what will he do if he ever found out that his own brother is responsible? Well that is one chance I’m willing to take, she told herself.
“Adam, I’m not sure how you can help me,” she said as she turned to face him.
“Dominique, I’m an attorney, I have a lot of resources and investigators who can help me, help us find out who did this.”
“Adam, I was going to wait for the police and hope that they would reopen the case.”
“Dominique, you know there is a slim to none chance of that happening and you yourself said that the police called the case cold. That means that somewhere there is a file that they stored away with no intentions of ever opening it. Dominique let me help you, you deserve closure Dominique, you deserve to find happiness again and I know that you will once you find out who murdered your family and bring them to justice.” He hoped that he didn’t sound too harsh, but Adam needed Dominique to understand that if anyone could help her, he could.
“Your right Adam, but are you sure you want to get involved with all this Adam, are you sure? Because if you are I would like this to be kept between me and you, I know that sounds silly but I’d rather not have any else know, at least not right now.” She asked voice quivering.
“Dominique I am sure, and I’m already involved, there’s no going back. Don’t worry about a thing Dominique; let me do this for you. First thing Monday morning I’m going to make some phone calls, don’t worry, it’s to people we can trust. And trust me when I tell you, we will find the monster that did this Dominique and when we do, I’ll leave it up to you to decide exactly the kind of justice you want to give.”
Dominique was sure that Adam would rethink that thought when and if he ever found out who was truly responsible for her family's death.
When night came the two shared a romantic dinner, prepared by Adam himself. Dominique knew that he was special, but to know that he also possessed the art of cooking made her smile even more.
“And just what are you smiling at beautiful?”
“Oh nothing in particular, just thinking to myself how much of a great guy you are and I’m lucky to have met you that’s all.”
“If you ask me Dominique, I’m the lucky one. Now since I cooked dinner you get to do the dishes. Get on with it woman!” He said jokingly as they both cleared the dishes.
Dominique sat on the oversized leather sofa and watched as Adam built a fire. She couldn’t help but notice how it all felt so natural being there with him. Adam left the room for a few moments and when he returned, he held a tray complete with a bottle of champagne along with all the ingredients to make smores. There was something he wanted to ask Dominique and he wanted the atmosphere to be as relaxed as possible.
While they ate smores and drank champagne in front of the fire, Adam asked Dominique if she would accompany him to the firm’s annual Halloween/Costume party. He knew it was last minute and he was so nervous about asking her that his palms grew damp and he felt like a teenager. He was sure that with all that was going on in her life and the short notice, that she wouldn’t have time for a party but she surprised him once again by accepting his invitation. She did have one concern though.
“Adam, I’d love to go, but are you sure that it’s Okay for us to go together? I mean you are the boss’s son and he might not approve. Speaking of which, do your parents know that you’re here? I mean that you’re here with me? I don’t want to cause any problems Adam; I need to keep my job,” she said concerned.
“Dominique, yes it’s perfectly okay for you to accompany me to the party, its open to all employees, and you and I are both employed there. As far as the rest of your questions, no, my parents don’t know that we’re here. Not because I am keeping it from them but because I don’t need to tell them. So it’s alright Dominique, I have a key remember?” He said laughing; “we’re not breaking and entering. And for the record, my father cannot tell me who is can and cannot date,” he said with a grin.
“Oh so we’re dating now are we?” asked Dominique who sounded a bit alarmed at hearing that word.
“Dominique? What else would you call it?" We have been seeing each other almost every day for over a month now, I think it's high time I started calling you mine,” he said putting his arm around her, and drawing her near. Dominique let him-she needed the closeness, the comfort that he so willingly offered. “I like the thought of being someone's again,” she grinned.
During
their last night at the cottage, the moment Adam joined her and held her in his arms, Dominique fell asleep. She slept so deeply that she soon fell into a dream, a dream that quickly turned into a nightmare. It’s bright at first when she finds herself standing at the scene of the accident.
She is unable to see the bodies of her son and husband and the more she strains her eyes to cut through the darkness, the blacker everything gets. In the distance though, something or someone is walking towards her and as she stares at it she sees that it is surrounded by a hazy, red light. The figure is cloaked in black; it bends down to where Stephen’s body has suddenly appeared.
She tries to scream, and call out to Stephen. But her voice is strangled. She tries to run to him, but she is paralyzed with fear. The creature leans over Stephen and tries to withdraw the very soul from his body. Then it turns, and in an instant stands before Dominique. Hands are suddenly wrapped around her throat as she pulls and withers in pain.
The creatures grip tightens and as its hood falls from around its face; she cannot see anything, but she feels the sorrow and an overwhelming sense of doom. Looking beyond the creature she can see a bright light, but there is nothing but blackness where its face should be and as she fades, she fades into its darkness.
Adam had been shaking her awake. Her screaming and crying out for Stephen woke him with a start. And as he cradled her in his arms while she cried, Dominique knew that she must punish Brandon for leaving her husband and son out there in that field to die, because if she doesn’t, she knows that she will have that same nightmare for the rest of her life.
At first he did not know what to do; Dominique was screaming, crying and calling out her dead husband’s name. She was having a horrible nightmare and there was nothing he could do to shield her from it.
He wished he could enter her nightmares and slay whatever awful thing that was causing her so much pain and angst, but he knew it wasn’t a dragon or some fairytale creature. It was a demon, a real demon who had taken her son and husband away from her that night and it was going to be up to him to help her slay the demon.