Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 69945 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69945 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
I hadn’t even thought about the bag since I’d been home, hadn’t even tried to look at my phone, my laptop, nothing. I’d really been out of it last night.
“Thank you. This is great.”
“It looks like all your documents are there, so you shouldn’t have trouble getting a flight back to New York. Do you have any questions?”
“No, I don’t think so.” I looked to Dom, who was keeping a neutral expression. I couldn’t read what he was thinking, and I didn’t like that. He wasn’t the cold man he’d been when I first met him, but he was far more standoffish than I would have expected after the way he treated me the night before.
“Good, then I will leave the two of you to discuss your future plans.”
Dom held out his hand to X. “Thank you again for your assistance.”
X smiled. “Thank you for accepting it.”
He walked out and closed the door behind him. Neither Dom nor I said anything for a moment. I thought it would feel good to be alone with Dom, but there was tension in the air. I could feel it. What was he thinking? What was happening here?
Finally, I met his gaze. “So, I guess I don’t need you watching over me anymore.”
He nodded. “That’s right.”
I waited, hoping he would say something else, like how he didn’t want to lose me, or he couldn’t stand the thought of sending me back to New York.
“Sit down, Corey. I want to talk to you.”
That was a reasonable request, but everything felt off. My stomach flip-flopped, and my legs were shaky as I walked to the sofa and sat down.
Dom joined me. “How do you feel about going back to New York?”
That was a loaded question. I looked away, down at the floor, as I considered how to respond. Eventually, I said, “There’s nothing for me there. My job is gone, and I don’t want to just look for something in another firm and keep living the same way I was. I’m not sure what I want to do, but it will be something different. And I…I think I like it here.”
Dom smiled, but it wasn’t the full smile I’d grown used to. It was a smile he might give a business associate. “I like having you here.” The words were right, but the tone was wrong. “I want to offer you a position with the family. We have a lot of need for legal expertise, and there are also—”
I held up my hands and shook my head. “No.”
“I assure you, the pay would be equal to or better than what you’d received in New York.”
“No, that’s… I appreciate the offer.” It was all I could do to keep my voice steady as all my hopes, everything I thought was going to happen today, came crashing down around me.
“It’s a great offer. I’ve lost my job. I’m no longer comfortable in the home I was in, and while your family’s business is…unusual, I’ve gained respect for all of you.”
“Then why—”
“Because that’s not what I want. I want you. I want to be here with you. I want to be in your bed. I want to be a part of your life, but I guess what I want is a fairytale. We’re too different, not meant to be, so no, I won’t take a job with your family. I can’t be here like that. I need something more.”
My hands were shaking. I wanted to run. I could hardly believe I’d actually said that to him and let him know what I’d hoped for. There’s been no reason to hope for it. No promises have been made.
“Corey, please. Stay. I…I don’t want to be worried about you out there on your own.”
“I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time, and now I’m far more aware and will be much more alert to dangers around me. I’m thinking maybe I’ll take some lessons at a shooting range.”
“I should be the one to protect you, and the one to teach you how to use a gun. I know I fucked up yesterday, and almost let you get killed, but—”
“No, I should never have believed the call. I should never have walked out of here without asking you. I was a fool, but I’ve learned my lesson. I’ll be fine. I don’t plan on getting involved in any more criminal enterprises.”
“Corey, Val and Vito enjoyed getting to know you, and I’m sure if you were here….”
I held up my hand to stop him again. “I’ve enjoyed talking to them. I know how awkward it would be for me to be with you when I’m closer to their age, but that’s the only way I want to get to know them more.”
“Corey, just give it a chance. I mean—”
“No, Dom. Would one of your guards drive me to the airport? I don’t have a lot of stuff, so I can gather it quickly.”