Chapter 7
422words
When I showed up at the address, Dominic wasn't there.
Instead, I found his old lieutenant, Leo Parker.
He'd been some hotshot biology student before all this.
Back then, he cooked product for Dominic. When things went south, he took the fall, asking only that Dominic look after his family.
Dominic kept his word—set his parents up comfortably and sent his sister Stella to study in Europe.
I first met Stella at a dinner right before Dominic announced his plans to go legit.
When Leo got out, he brought his sister around to thank Dominic personally.
Later, when Dominic got locked up, Leo pulled strings to spring him.
Now they ran an import-export business together in Atlanta.
Leo poured me coffee, all polite smiles.
"Liv, had no idea you were out. Dom never mentioned it. We should've thrown you a welcome party."
I cut to the chase. "Where's Dom?"
"He's out of town. Business trip."
"When's he back?"
Instead of answering, he stood to open the door for a young woman.
Stella Parker.
She extended her hand, all grace and poise. "Hello again. We've met before."
I kept my smile fixed. "It's been a while. You're even more beautiful now."
"You're here for Dom?"
She settled into the main spot on the couch like she owned it.
Leo mumbled some excuse and headed for the door.
I caught his arm. "You didn't tell me when Dom's coming back."
Leo's face flashed with irritation. "How the hell should I know? He doesn't report his schedule to me."
I opened my mouth to press him, but he shook me off and disappeared through the door.
Stella studied me quietly. "Olivia, how many years did you serve?"
"Six years."
"Six years… That's enough time for everything to change. Don't you get that?"
My eyes narrowed. "What exactly are you saying?"
"Look, we appreciate you taking the fall for Dom. Six years is rough. But feelings change—especially since he never actually called you his girlfriend or wife. Coming back now just complicates his life."
I kept my voice ice-cold.
"Thanks for looking after him. But any acknowledgment of what I went through should come from him. And his feelings? He can express those himself. Who the hell are you to speak for him?"
We locked eyes for what felt like forever. Finally, she arched one perfect eyebrow and spoke each word deliberately.
"I'm his wife. So tell me, what position does that put me in?"
