Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45202 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45202 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)
“No worries. Just call if you’re questioned. I’m serious. You don’t talk to anyone without an attorney.”
I nod. “Got it. Thanks, Walker.”
I shut the door and then run up the steps to the house. Instead of barging in this time, I knock on the door and then wait for someone to answer.
I’m holding my breath when the door opens. “Dominic, you’re out,” Ms. Raven exclaims. She backs into the house, holding the door open. “Come on in.”
I walk into the house and look around. “Where’s Lucy?”
“She left.”
It’s like a punch to the gut. “Is she okay?”
She nods. “Oh yeah, she’s strong. She’s going to be okay… thanks to you.”
I blink in surprise at her, and she continues, “I’m sorry, Dominic. I’m sorry for misjudging you. I’m sorry for earlier at the hospital, and I’m sorry for how I treated you all those years ago.”
“You were protecting your daughter. It’s okay—”
She shakes her head. “No, you were protecting my daughter. I know Frank came to see you in jail. My husband thought he was doing the right thing. I know he told you that Lucy deserves better than you, but he was wrong. I was wrong. My daughter has never been happier than she is when she’s with you.”
I’m yearning to see her. “I love your daughter, Ms. Raven. And I want to spend the rest of my life with her.”
She nods. “I know you don’t need it, but you’re a good man, Dominic. I wish I saw it all that time ago. But you have my blessing.”
I let out a sigh of relief. I had decided that Lucy was going to be mine no matter what, but it does make it easier that her mom is not going to stand in the way. “Do you know where Lucy went?”
She nods. “Yeah, she went to your place. She was going crazy sitting here, doing nothing. She wanted to be close to you, and that’s the only way she could.”
I’m about to turn and leave when she points at my hand. “You need to have your hands treated.”
I look at the dried blood on my knuckles. “Yeah, I will. But I need to see Lucy first.”
She smiles at that. “I understand that. Thank you for taking care of Lucy.”
I reach for her, and she hugs me tightly. “Thanks for calling me, Ms. Raven. Anytime you need anything, call me, okay?”
She nods and pulls back. “You can call me Kathy.”
My voice is thick with emotion. “Thanks, Kathy. I’m going to go see Lucy.”
She nods and stands in the doorway while I walk out to my truck, and she watches me as I drive away.
The drive to the garage has my mind going a thousand miles a minute. I park outside the garage and walk in the side door. “Lucy!” I holler as I walk in. She’s not in the bay or in the office. I lock up and walk upstairs and push open the door. “Lucy!”
She walks out of the bedroom with red swollen eyes. She’s staring at me in awe. “I’m so sorry, Dom.”
“Oh baby.” I open my arms, and she runs toward me. I catch her against my chest, and as soon as she’s in my arms, I let the emotion of tonight roll through me. We hold on to each other, and I never want to let her go.
“It’s okay. I’m okay, Lucky. We’re okay.”
She pulls away, wiping at the tears on her face, and it kills me to see her like this. I cup her face. “Did he hurt you?”
She shakes her head. “No, you walked in right as he grabbed me. I wasn’t hurt.”
I let out a sigh and hold her to me. “Fuck, I’m sorry I wasn’t there. I should have—”
“Dom, what’s going to happen to you? Are you in trouble?”
I cup her face in my hands and soothe my thumb across her cheek. “Thanks for calling Walker. He got me out. He’s taking care of it.”
“But—” she starts.
I shake my head to stop her. “No buts. It doesn’t matter, Lucky. He can’t get away with touching you.”
She nods, but the tears keep coming. “I’m so sorry.”
I pull her to the couch, sit down, and then pull her to my lap. I cup her face. “Don’t cry. You have nothing to be sorry for, baby.”
She sniffles and shakes her head. “I shouldn’t have brought this to you. I shouldn’t have gotten you involved.”
She’s nearly inconsolable, and I hate seeing her like this. “I love you, Lucy.”
Her tears slow, and she wipes at her eyes. “I love you too, Dom.”
I tilt her chin up to look at me. “I still think you deserve better than me, but I know that no one will love you the way I love you. I can’t let you go this time.”
She swats at my chest. “Ha! The joke’s on you. If you tried to push me away again, I wouldn’t go. I love you, Dom, and the only time I’m truly happy is when I’m with you. I’m not going anywhere.”