Chapter 11 - A FATHER'S FIRST PROMISE|
Dominic did not take Grace back to Miami.
He called Marco and told him he had found nothing. Then he arranged for Margaret and the child to leave through a private airfield with two guards he had personally selected.
He wanted to go with them.
Grace refused to let go of his hand.
“Are you coming?”
“Not yet.”
“Why?”
“Because I have to find your mommy.”
She frowned.
“Can't the guards do it?”
Dominic almost smiled.
“They're helping.”
“Then you should come.”
He crouched in front of her.
“Listen to me, Grace. There are people who have done bad things. I have to stop them before they can hurt you or your mother again.”
“Are you going to fight?”
“I might have to.”
“Don't get hurt.”
The simple concern nearly undid him.
“I'll be careful.”
Grace took the yellow ribbon from her wrist and held it out.
“Keep this until you find Mommy. She gave it to me when I was a baby.”
Dominic looked at Margaret.
“Where did she get this?”
Margaret's eyes widened.
“Your wife sent it with the hospital things. I kept it in Grace's room.”
Dominic tied the ribbon around his wrist.
“I'll bring it back.”
Grace watched him board the SUV.
“Daddy?”
He turned.
“Can you tell Mommy I waited?”
Dominic nodded.
“I'll tell her.”
He drove to the estate, where Marco was waiting with a group of armed men.
“You found her,” Marco said.
Dominic stepped out.
“Found who?”
Marco smiled without warmth.
“Don't insult me.”
Dominic walked past him.
“Where's Laura?”
“Alive.”
“Where?”
“Sign the trust papers. Then we'll discuss it.”
Dominic turned.
“You've been holding my wife for three years because you want a piece of my father's money?”
“Your father built this family. He knew what you were. He knew you'd choose a woman over the organization.”
“That's what you wanted to test?”
Marco's expression hardened.
“I wanted to keep the family intact.”
“You kidnapped my wife. You stole my daughter. You let me bury a child who was alive.”
“I kept her safe.”
Dominic struck him.
Marco fell against the desk. His men raised their weapons, but Dominic's guards had already moved into position.
“Put them down,” Dominic ordered.
No one moved.
Then a voice came from the doorway.
“Do it.”
Elena stood there with a small pistol in her hand. Behind her were two federal agents.
Marco laughed.
“You brought the government into my house?”
Elena's eyes were steady.
“I brought them evidence.”
She placed a flash drive on the desk.
“Every transfer. Every payment. Every instruction you gave Dr. Bell. Including the order to keep Laura alive until she signed the trust.”
Marco looked at Dominic.
“You're going to let her destroy us?”
Dominic didn't answer.
Elena continued.
“The agents have the original ledgers. Your shell companies are frozen. The Salazars have been told the deal is over.”
Marco's face darkened.
“You think this ends with me?”
“No,” Dominic said. “I think it begins with you.”
The agents moved forward.
Marco suddenly lunged toward the desk, grabbing a hidden pistol from beneath it. Dominic fired once, striking the wood beside Marco's hand. The weapon skidded across the floor.
The agents tackled him.
As they dragged Marco away, he shouted over his shoulder.
“You still don't know what happened to Laura!”
Dominic stepped forward.
“Then tell me.”
Marco smiled through the blood on his lip.
“Ask Elena what she did the night your daughter was born.”
Dominic turned.
Elena's face had gone pale.
“What is he talking about?”
She looked down at the flash drive.
“I can explain.”
Dominic's voice became dangerously quiet.
“Then start now.”
Elena took a breath.
“I was there when Laura gave birth.”
May you like
The room went still.
“And I was the one who told the doctor to take the baby away.”
