without saying anything for a few seconds, appreciating the fact that he was still alive and surprisingly cheerful. But I needed to tell him what had happened. He needed to know we no longer had to run and hide. That we’d no longer have to fear for our lives.
“I have to tell you something, Dom.”
He sat up straight. “Oh? What do you mean?”
“Well … I knew for certain Daisy, the woman I met at the club, was involved and …”
He nodded. I was sure he remembered me talking about her. I just didn’t know if I should even mention it was his ex. I didn’t want to hurt him. So I decided this was going to be the secret I’d carry to the grave.
“I decided to tempt them into telling us everything,” I said.
Dominic frowned and squinted. “What did you do?”
“Please, don’t be mad, but we made a plan. I went to the play party and got them to tell everything.”
His mouth dropped open. “You did what? Do you realize how dangerous that was?”
“Yes, I know, but it doesn’t matter what I did. They’re gone now. We caught them.”
“What?”
“Daisy is in jail and the one behind it all, Tyrone, he’s dead.”
Dominic’s eyes skittered across the floor and the ceiling, trying to comprehend everything I told him.
“It’s over, Dom. We have our lives back.”
“ And Sharon made you do all of this?”
“No, it was my idea.” I placed my hand on his heated cheek. He snorted out of anger. “I did it because I love you and I didn’t want to see you get hurt anymore. I needed to end it, and this was the only way. Please understand.”
His eyes got glazy and he pulled me into his embrace. I leaned over the bed and put my arms around him.
“I’m sorry, Dom. I didn’t mean to scare you, but it’s all over now. No more hunting us, no more hunting them. We can live normally now.”
He shushed me and pushed me forward. “I get it. Stop talking.” He pressed his lips firmly onto mine. The warmth that flowed through them stunned me and made me feel vulnerable. But this vulnerability felt good. It was a lover’s surrender.
“I love you, Julie. I don’t ever want to lose you.” He placed his hands on the sides of my face and let his forehead lean against mine.
“Me neither, Dom. It’s all in the past. Now it’s time for us.”
He smiled and kissed me again. Then he drew back and ripped the blanket off. He pushed his legs off the side and winced when he got up. He started walking toward the door.
I frowned. “What are you doing?”
“Remember, before they came to the casino to, you know, shoot me, we were having sex.”
I flushed. “Yeah. What about it?”
He stumbled to a chair next to the door. His gown wasn’t fully strapped, and I could see his bare ass sticking out. It made me giggle a bit.
“I had planned on giving you this afterward, but unfortunately, fate got in the way.” He rummaged through his pants and took something out, but he hid it behind his back. He beckoned me.
I got off my chair and stood in front of him. People walking by saw his butt crack and muffled a laugh. Some stopped to stare. He faced me, his back to the open door, and he got onto his knees, even though he cringed from the pain.
My mouth dropped open when he pulled out a small little box.
“I wanted to give you this. I’ve always wanted to give you this.” He opened the box. Inside was a shining diamond ring.
I gasped and my eyes got all watery. I slapped my hand in front of my mouth and shook my head.
No, this isn’t happening. Is it?
“I don’t care that I’m hurt. That I’m in this hospital, that I’m in this bed, that I was hunted for my money and that you endangered yourself. Well, okay, we’ve got to work on that last bit, but still, I just want you to be mine.” He smiled and I chuckled from his comment. “I need you in my life, Julie. You’re the only one for me, my perfect match.”
Dominic looked at me and saw me glance at the people behind me, stopping to gaze at
Gary Hastings
Wendy Meadows
Jennifer Simms
Jean Plaidy
Adam Lashinsky
Theresa Oliver
Jayanti Tamm
Allyson Lindt
Melinda Leigh
Rex Stout