With a smug face, I said, “Better than ever, now that this is all coming to an end.”
Chapter 7
After I’d cleaned myself up and recovered from my ordeal, I went to the hospital the next day to tell Dominic the good news and to see him again. When I stepped into his room, a nurse handed him his drink, and he wobbled his eyebrows at her. “Thanks, doll.”
She laughed and walked out the room, passing me by. Dominic saw me, and a huge smile grew on his face. “Julie!”
“I see you’re flirtatious as ever,” I said with a wink, and stepped inside.
“I’m just good with the ladies. Makes them bring me all sorts of comfortable extras. Luxurious food. A comfy pillow.” He patted the cushion behind his back and wriggled himself into a position.
I laughed and came closer.
“Come here, love,” he said, and he beckoned me. I leaned forward, and he smothered me with kisses, making me giggle.
“Oh, Dom, stop, you’re making me blush.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Oh, does that mean we can have some kink here in my hospital gown? I gotta tell you, I’ve never done it in a hospital before. Might give us a little kick, if you know what I mean.” He winked.
I rolled my eyes and sat down on the seat next to him. I looked at him 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.