Revengeful Deceptions

by Ursula Dukes

  “The paramedics are here, everything is going to be alright,” he let out a breath.

  “I know it is Adam, I know it is,” she sobbed into his arms.

  It wasn’t until late Saturday morning that Dominique was given a clean bill of health and released from the hospital. When the doctor told her that besides a slight bump on the head, she and the baby were fine, she begged him not to mention the pregnancy to Adam, she wanted to wait and surprise him on Thanksgiving. The doctor thought about it for a moment before smiling and agreeing to keep her secret.

  “Thank you for everything Doctor,” Dominique said with a wink as they wheeled her out of the hospital.

  “Dominique I think when we get home, I am going to lock you up and never let you out of my sight,” said Adam as he held her close in the backseat of Neal's car.

  “Or at least hire a security detail Adam,” said Molly.

  Dominique gave her friend a sincere look, “Molly, there's no way that I’m letting some stranger follow me around, I’ve got all the security I need right here,” she said, wrapping her arms around her husband and kissing him.

  “Actually, that's not a bad idea Dominique, and it would make me feel a hell of a lot better about leaving you alone.”

  “Adam, thanks but no thanks, and besides, the last of the threat is dead and gone and I’d much rather concentrate on the future. I just want to forget about the ugly past and move on, so no more talk of security and body guards my friends okay? And I think I know how to handle myself anyway,” she grinned.

  “I'd argue but I’ve seen the way you handle a weapon,” Adam smirked as he held his wife close.

  And don't worry baby, I’m not going anywhere for a very long time so it looks like you’re stuck with me,” she said giving him a kiss.

  When they reached the condo, Jonathan and Muriel were outside waiting for them.

  “Oh Dominique, you are a sight for sore eyes!” Jonathan and Muriel exulted.

  Dominique's smile turned into a frown as she wondered if Muriel had been told that her son Brandon died in the accident.

  Muriel sensed her worry. “Dominique don’t you feel bad for me, Brandon chose to live that life and if you live the life of a thug, you'll end up dying like one and to be honest I’d rather not think about it anymore, we did the best we could with Brandon and now it’s all over. Time for a new beginning I say,” she smiled at her family and friends.

  “Your right Muriel, you’re absolutely right.”

  The day before Thanksgiving, Dominique and Adam were making the traditional drive to Wellesley to spend the holiday with his family.

  “You know Dominique, there's a snow storm coming, we might get snowed in up at the house, what do you think of that?” he asked not sure of what her response would be to being stuck in the house with all of his relatives.

  “I think that would be absolutely wonderful Adam, I love your family and there's nothing I’d like more than to be snowed in with you,” she smiled at him.

  “Well then in that case, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow,” they both laughed.

  It had been a long day for both Adam and Dominique, between telling their story and answering the multitude of questions from friends and family, they hadn't been able to spend much time alone and it wasn’t until after midnight that the two were allowed to excuse themselves and head to the sanctuary of the lower level.

  “Alone at last,” sighed Adam as he held his wife in a warm embrace. “I was beginning to think that I’d never get you alone.”

  Dominique smiled; it was after midnight, Thanksgiving Day. She could tell him now.

  “Actually baby, I think we better get used to always having someone around.”

  “What are you talking about Dominique?” Adam asked confused.

  “Well, I just mean that you and I haven’t been alone for almost a month now.”

  “Okay Dominique, now I’m really confused have you been hitting the wine too hard baby?” Adam joked.

  “Babe, I can't drink, it's not good for the baby,” she said waiting for him to catch on.

  “What do you mean...? Oh my god Dominique are you? Are you preg...? Dominique we're pregnant baby?”

  Tears began to fill her eyes as she nodded her head yes.

  “Yes baby we are,” she said burying her head in his chest.

  “Dominique you are amazing baby, do you know that?”

  “I think you'll have to remind me of that more regularly, you know how I can get hormonal,” she grinned. “Happy Thanksgiving baby, I wanted to surprise you.”

  “Do you know how much I love you? Baby I know that this past year has been tremendously long and heart breaking but I know, I just know that things are going to get better for us and I’m going to do everything in my power to see that it does.”

  “I know you will Adam, but you won’t have to my darling I already know that our happily ever after is now.”

  Adam and the family had to fore go the annual Thanksgiving football game. Thick, heavy snow had begun to fall in the middle of the night and by morning there was more than eight inches on the ground. Dominique let out a gasp when she looked out the window and viewed the beautiful landscape covered with white glistening snow.

  “Oh I can't wait until Christmas!” she beamed, jumping onto the bed and wrapping her arms around her husband.

  “After the news you told me last night, I feel like Christmas has already arrived.”

  She let out a sigh. “God Adam, do you remember this time last year? I mean we were here, but things were so different. Everything is so different now,” she said cuddling up against him once more. She didn’t want to tell him about what Stephen had told her while she lay unconscious after the accident. She didn’t know what bad thing was going to happen; she could only hope that it wouldn’t ruin their lives completely.

  “I know it is Dominique and your right, it certainly has been a wild and bumpy ride,” he said holding her close. “But all that's behind us now, now it’s time for us to focus on our life together and the son or daughter we'll be expecting.”

  “Baby, you’re absolutely right,” she said kissing him softly on the neck.

  Dominique and Adam decided to share the news of her pregnancy during Thanksgiving dinner. Everyone seated at the long dinner table erupted in cheers and applause after Adam made the announcement. Hugs and kisses were exchanged between them and the family as Muriel and Jonathan beamed with excitement at the thought of becoming grandparents.

  The fact that they were snowed in seemed to bother no one as they all enjoyed the time playing everything from video games and board games. Even though the roads were passable the day after, most had chosen to stay through the weekend to shop and help decorate for the holidays, Adam and Dominique included.

  “We had a wonderful time Muriel thank you so much.” Dominique stood in the foyer of the Victorian house. “I can't wait to come back for Christmas.” She took hold of her husband’s hand as they kissed everyone goodbye and made the short trip back to downtown Boston.

  Dominique was lying in bed one night when it hit her; she knew what Stephen had been talking about when he told her that she had one more hurdle. It has to be DiNunzio, she told herself. He would surely want answers as to how she survived the crash and his only son did not.

  And if he cared nothing about that, he'd certainly want to know where his drug money was. What if he comes looking for revenge? She thought to herself as Adam stirred softly in his sleep. How could you have been so stupid Dominique, did you really think that DiNunzio would just let this go? Dominique spent the rest of the night going over all the awful things that could and probably would happen to her if DiNunzio got her alone. Maybe I should reconsider getting security, she thought to herself.

  “Dominique, how do you know this?” Adam asked that morning at breakfast. Dominique had not wanted to waken her husband with the distressing news.

  “Adam I just know okay. DiNunzio is not going to let this go and I t
hink we both know that it’s only a matter of time before he comes to us with some questions. And if we don’t have the right answers Adam I’m afraid of what might happen.”

  Adam knew that his wife was right, he had a family to protect now and he wasn’t going to let the crime boss take that away from him. He'd go to DiNunzio and talk to him, bribe him if he had to. He'd do whatever he had to do to keep them all safe, especially Dominique and the baby.

  The following week at the firm was slow, Dominique had time to do a bit of rearranging and she had recruited both Adam and Neal to do the heavy lifting of the file cabinets. “It's more convenient this way.”

  She told them when they had grunted and groaned about moving the large pieces.

  “I'd rather be in court right now,” Adam joked as he moved the cabinet with ease.

  Dominique laughed; she knew that there was no way he'd give up spending a day in the office with her. “Oh stop whining, I told you guys I’d buy ya lunch so let's keep the momentum moving just a few more cabinets to go men let's do this,” she commanded with a smile.

  “Yes Ma'am,” they both said.

  Molly came over the intercom and whispered something so soft they could barely hear.

  “You’re going to have to speak up Molly, my ears aren't what they used to be,” joked Adam.

  Molly spoke a bit louder this time. “I said, Adam you better get Dominique out of here, DiNunzio just walked in and demanded to see your father.”

  The color immediately left all of their faces, Dominique stood frozen as she tried to think of an escape route. Even if she took the stairs, she'd have to pass the offices and DiNunzio would surely see her.

  “Adam?”

  “Don't panic Dominique. I’m here and I’m not going to let anything happen to you,” he said, looking at Neal.

  “Adam maybe we're being foolish. I mean if DiNunzio had it out for me, he certainly wouldn’t come into the office right? Maybe you should go find out what he wants.”

  No sooner had Dominique said those words than Jonathan was summoning Adam to his office.

  Adam knew DiNunzio was in there and was anxious to hear what he had to say.

  “Neal you keep her here safe alright? If anything goes wrong I want you to get her the hell out of here, do you hear me?” Neal placed a protective arm around Dominique.

  “Absolutely Buddy, I’ll keep her safe.”

  Adam looked lovingly at his wife. “Dominique you stay close to Neal, I’ll be right back.”

  “Adam you’re scaring me.”

  “There's nothing to be scared about, I’ll be right back.” Adam gave her a quick kiss before heading off to his father's office.

  Adam didn't bother to knock as he opened the door to his father’s office.

  “You wanted to see me?” He asked as he nodded and took a seat next to DiNunzio.

  “Yes son, it seems Mr. DiNunzio here would like to speak to your wife about what happened a few weeks ago between her and Brandon.

  But I thought it wise that he speak to you.”

  “Well what is it you want to know Mr. DiNunzio?”

  Peter DiNunzio, huffed as he shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

  “Listen don’t play coy with me son, you understand? I'm not one of your clients that you can bullshit. So when I ask what happened out there that night that's just what I want to know, what the hell happened and more importantly, where the hell is my money?”

  Adam had no idea what happened to the money that Brandon had secured from the drug deal.

  “Why don’t you ask whoever was with him that night, I’m sure they can tell you exactly what happened.” Adam could read people like no other; it was the lawyer in him. He let out a sarcastic chuckle. “You're here because you can't find Brandon's accomplice, well that should answer your question right there Peter, isn’t quite obvious who has your money? Why are you wasting your time here?”

  DiNunzio was losing patience and did not want to admit that he had no idea of what happened to Joey Costa.

  “I don’t think I like these games you’re playing, now look I’ve been straight up honest with you and I was hoping that you'd do the same. All I want to know is where my money is so either you’re going to tell me or I’ll ask your wife. What's it going to be?”

  “With all due respect Mr. DiNunzio, you’re not asking my wife anything, in fact you’re not to go anywhere near my wife is that understood?”

  Adam was out of his chair now and stared directly at Peter DiNunzio.

  “Okay, I can see that this is going nowhere, have it your way Caruso. Just remember that I came to you first to try and settle this but you want to play hard ball, so be it.”

  Jonathan spoke next. “Look, neither my son nor his wife have any reason to know where your money is, I suggest you keep better tabs on your cronies DiNunzio, now if there's nothing else, kindly leave my office.”

  Peter DiNunzio got up slowly from his chair giving each man a defiant look and exited the office.

  Once they were alone, Jonathan took a deep breath. “Son, I don’t know what happened that night but Dominique does and you've got to get her to tell you what happened to that money.”

  “Dad if you’re suggesting that Dominique took that man's money I can assure you that you couldn’t be further from the truth.” He said glaring at his father.

  “I'm not suggesting anything of the sort son, all I’m saying is that she has to know what happened and I am sure if you explain to her what is going on, she'll tell you. That's all I’m saying son.”

  “I know what I have to do dad, you don’t have to tell me.”

  Adam stormed out of his father's office, he was angry now, angry that he and Dominique had finally started to put all this behind them and now DiNunzio comes into the picture more worried about his money than his own son.

  “Adam, what happened? What did he want?” Dominique was frightened at DiNunzio's sudden appearance at the office.

  He tried to comfort his wife. “Baby everything is fine. DiNunzio is looking for the money that he claims went missing that night. I know it's difficult for you to talk about that night but baby if you know what happened you have to tell me so that I can fix this, otherwise DiNunzio isn't going to stop.”

  “Adam I want this to be over. Come, let's go back into your father's office and I’ll tell you both what happened that night.”

  Chapter Thirty Nine

  Dominique sat while she recounted to her husband and father in law exactly what happened the night of the accident. When she was finished, both Adam and Jonathan breathed a sigh of relief.

  “Okay, now we know what happened and who took the money, now we've got something to work with. I'm going to give DiNunzio a call right now and tell him to call off his dogs and send them in search of this Joey Costa. I'm sure when he thinks about it he'll see that Costa was the obvious culprit in all of this.”

  “I hope your right Jonathan because I don’t want DiNunzio or Costa coming after me. I've had enough.”

  Adam and Dominique listened while Jonathan made the call to DiNunzio, it took about five minutes of explaining and afterward, DiNunzio gave his word to call off his men and leave Dominique and the rest of the Caruso family alone.

  “But you better hope that I find him before he finds Dominique because Joey Costa does not like to leave loose ends. Consider yourself warned,” he told Jonathan before hanging up the phone.

  “Well I’m glad that’s all taken care of, now we can concentrate on our family.” Dominique sighed as she took her husband’s hand.

  “I wouldn’t say you’re out of the woods yet Dominique.”

  Jonathan looked at his son and daughter in law regretfully before telling them what DiNunzio had said.

  “This is never going to end is it?” She said looking at the both of them, her anger rising.

  “Adam I can't go through this again ... we can't lose another baby to all of this violence, something has to be done, I mean the man hardly knows me and
I let him go for god's sake! I should have shot him.”

  “Dominique, I’m going to fix this, we'll find this Joey guy, tell DiNunzio where he is and that will be that.”

  “Adam it all sounds perfectly good in theory but we don’t even know where he is, he could be half way around the world right now.”

  “Well if he is then that's all the better, that means he has no intention of coming after you Dominique but in the meantime, you’re not leaving my sight. We're going to get this guy and when we do I promise you, he won't bother us ever again.”

  Worried about his daughter in law and the grandchild she was carrying, Jonathan suggested they hire a full time body guard. For a moment Dominique considered it, but then she realized that her life would never be her own if she let Joey Costa scare her to the point of needing a body guard.

  “No, no bodyguard, that's too much Adam, I cannot live like that.”

  Adam wasn’t sure if he agreed with his wife just yet.

  “Dominique, we have to think about the baby. Let's just think about it, and if they haven’t found this Joey guy in the next few weeks then I’ll start interviewing for security detail. What do you say?”

  “Fine Adam, I just hope that it won’t come to that, I’d like to think that he would have taken off with the hope of never returning but that doesn’t seem to be the way these people do business is it?” She asked looking at Jonathan and Adam.

  “It certainly isn't, but one can hope that's for certain.” Was all that Jonathan could say, he couldn’t help but feel responsible for it all, if he had not gone to that bar and let DiNunzio rape Muriel, things would have never turned out this way. He was the cause of it all and now not only was his family in trouble; his unborn grandchild was at risk as well. He hoped that Joey Costa would be caught and killed; there was no other way out of this mess.

  Joey Costa was closer than anyone could even know, the night he left Brandon to suffer at the hands of Dominique, he drove straight back to Boston and checked into a moderately priced hotel outside of the city, and that’s where he'd been held up these past few weeks. He knew DiNunzio would be looking for him, there was no way he was going to let 50,000 just disappear.