Chapter 17 - THE SHOT IN THE RAIN
The bullet missed Dominic by inches.
Security tackled the shooter near a parked van.
Grant Pike.
Again.
He had been released to federal supervision in exchange for cooperation.
Apparently he decided loyalty to Edward was worth more than his deal.
Inside the van, agents found cash and a passport.
Grant planned to flee after killing Dominic.
He also had an audio recorder.
Edward’s voice.
“Dominic is the weak point. Remove him and Salvatore’s people come home.”
Dominic listened once.
Then turned it off.
For years, family loyalty had meant silence. Now that family had ordered his death.
He looked at me.
“You were right.”
“About what?”
“Courage.”
I shook my head.
“My father was right. He just learned it too late.”
Dominic smiled faintly.
At the hospital, Mom met Dad again without agents, lawyers or secrets.
It was ugly and real.
She told him what dialysis had been like.
He told her what hiding had cost him.
She said cost was not the same as consequence.
I loved her for that.
Dad moved into a motel.
Not our apartment.
Not yet.
Healing did not mean pretending eight years had vanished.
Vanessa accepted a cooperation deal.
Her testimony helped dismantle the fight network.
She still faced charges for stalking, coercion and assault-related conduct.
She asked to speak to me one last time.
I agreed.
“I hated you,” she said.
“I noticed.”
“You walked into my house with nothing and still looked like you belonged to yourself.”
I stared.
She continued.
“I had everything and still needed everyone to be afraid of losing me.”
“I’m sorry.”
I nodded.
“I believe you’re sorry.”
Hope flashed.
Then I added, “That doesn’t mean you get access to me.”
She lowered her eyes.
“I know.”
When she left, Dominic entered.
“You okay?”
“Yes.”
“Dinner?”
I laughed.
He looked offended.
“What?”
“My life has involved kidnapping, illegal fights, a resurrected father and three federal agencies.”
“So Italian food is too much?”
“Tonight? Yes.”
He nodded.
“Tomorrow?”
May you like
I looked at him.
“Ask tomorrow.”
