Ava pouted. “Really?”
“Yes,” Dominic said. He sat up and removed the tray from the nightstand. “After what you’ve been through I’m going to make sure that you eat enough to keep up your strength.”
“You don’t have to worry about that.”
Ava smiled gratefully as Dominic handed her a plate of stuffed French toast. As she’d closed her eyes inside the old Woolworth building she’d been sure that she was dying. That she would never look into the eyes of her daughter or her lover again. But fate had deemed her worthy of a second chance. When she’d awoken, it had been inside a hospital, bandaged and hooked to machines she didn’t know the names of.
Dominic had been asleep in the chair next to her bed. Reaching for him, he’d come instantly awake and pressed kisses all over her. She’d asked about Maia, who’d been taken to the cafeteria by a nurse. Despite the shock of being taken by her supposedly dead father, her daughter was going to be okay. Maia was resilient, just like her.
“I know, but after everything you’ve been through I can’t help but worry about the both of you,” Dominic said. He crunched on a piece of bacon.
Ava took a bite of her toast. Sweet and buttery, it practically melted in her mouth. She’d really hit the jackpot with Dominic. Gorgeous, loyal to a fault, an amazing lover and a great cook. Not to mention the fact that Maia loved him. She was really one lucky woman.
“Hopefully our time of worrying is over. For some reason the man upstairs decided to give me a second chance. The bullet missed all my vital organs and arteries. I’d say everything else we encounter will be a breeze compared to that.”
“I hope you’re right. We both could use a break from the drama.”
“I’ll second that,” Ava said.
Dominic held out a piece of bacon towards Ava. He indicated for her to take a bite. “I went to Maia’s room to see what she wanted for breakfast and the poor kid was still sleeping.”
“That isn’t like her at all. Maybe I need to go check on her.”
Dominic shook his head. “You sit right there and finish your breakfast. If she’s not up by then, we’ll both head down and look in on her.”
Ava cut up another piece of toast. “Yes sir, Boss.”
“I think maybe she’s been sleeping later than usual because sleeping is her way of processing everything that’s happened. Us having to tell her that her father was dead again and not coming back this time had to take a lot out of her. Not to mention telling her she wouldn’t see Natalie or Mrs. Valdez anymore.”
Ava sighed. “I know this hasn’t been easy on her. That’s why I’ve kept her out of school since all of this craziness started. I wish there was something, anything I could’ve done to protect her from all of this.”
Dominic cupped her chin. “You can’t protect anyone from a threat you don’t see coming. You did the best you could do. Don’t beat yourself up over it. What’s done is done. Let’s put the past behind us, once and for all.”
Ava raised a brow. “Can we really do that?”
“Of course we can. Why would you ask something like that?”
“Let me see, two high-profile mobsters end up dead in a warehouse as do quite a few of their minions. Oh and one of those mobsters was a high-profile informant for the Feds. Why wouldn’t I still be worried about that?”
Dominic smirked. “Ava, have we been contacted by the police in any way?”
“No.”
“Okay then. Stop worrying. Joseph and Angelo are dead and I promise you on my life that is not going to come back and haunt us.”
“How? What did you do?” Ava asked.
“Let’s just say my cleanup crew and an accidental fire took care of everything. Not to mention a few paid-off city officials.”
Ava took another bite of her breakfast as she stared at her lover. There wasn’t an ounce of tension in his body. He looked relaxed. Carefree. As if there was really nothing for them to worry about.
“How did you manage all that? Are you taking over the Martelli territory or something?”
Dominic laughed. But he stopped when he saw Ava’s eyes were wide with concern.
“Baby, no. I swear to you. I want nothing to do with the mob. I just want a life with you and Maia and maybe some babies in the future. I’ve had enough danger to last a lifetime. I know you must wonder about my ties to the mob…I used to be a messenger for a few of Joseph’s people. You wouldn’t believe how much danger there was in just delivering messages for wise guys. It paid pretty good if you stayed under the radar, which was easier said than done.”
“So that’s how you made your money.”
“Yeah, but I’m not interested in that life anymore. I have nothing to prove.”
“No, you don’t, but I can’t help being worried about how everything is going to play out now.”
“What do you mean?” Dominic asked.
“There’s usually an investigation anytime something burns down unexpectedly. Not to mention, all the bodies. There’s no way you could’ve managed to sweep all that under the rug on your own.”
“I didn’t. I figured we were walking into an ambush so while you were asleep that night I called a few guys I know in the business and they promised to provide backup. While you and Joseph were talking one of the guys was recording your conversation. He sent it to quite a few of the honchos of the other families Joseph had ratted out. Needless to say, my buddy’s phone started ringing off the hook while we were still inside the warehouse.”
“So what happened?”
“Mario snuck out before the gunfight started and called for reinforcements. The other families were more than happy to help dispose of Joseph and his incompetent brother. So by the time I found you, they were already inside moving some of the bodies. After I got you out, they removed Joseph and Angelo. One of them shot Natalie.”
“I can’t say I’m not happy she’s dead.”
“I told you everyone involved in this was going to pay and I meant that.”
“I know you did. It seems you’re one who keeps his promises.”
“I try. I will always try.”
“I’m sure of it. So what else happened while I was out?”
“I have no idea where they planned to take the bodies. All I know is I heard one of them talking about taking them to someone they know that had an incinerator. I didn’t ask for details. After that they torched the place and called in their contacts to make sure enough time passed before someone came to investigate. So it’s over.”
“Wow. They really believe in taking out the trash, don’t they?”
“Yeah they do. They offered to give me Joseph and Angelo’s territory.”
Ava’s mouth dropped open. “They did?”
Dominic nodded. “Yeah. They were impressed with how I’d handled things. I told them I appreciated the honor but ‘the life’ wasn’t for me.”
“So they’re going to leave you alone? Leave us alone?”
“Of course. Trust me, they’re going to be more than happy to divide the Martelli territory amongst themselves.”
Ava blew out a breath. “Wow, then it really is over. We’re safe and free.”
“And very much in love,” Dominic said in a soft voice.
“Yes we are. But there’s something I have to know. What you told Joseph in the warehouse about him not being your father, was it true?”
“Part of it,” Dominic said. He stroked her cheek.
“What do you mean?”
“Joseph isn’t my father. He was never there for moments a father should be there for. He showed up to sleep with my mother and occasionally he’d show a little affection towards me. That’s all it was.”
“So you didn’t talk to your mother about your paternity?”
“No. There’s no reason to open old wounds for her. That part I lied about.”
“That means that biologically you could be Joseph’s son?” Ava asked.
“Yes. Does that still bother you?”
Ava shook her head. “No. Not anymore. Your biology doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is the man you turned out to be. A man that I love and respect.”