Chapter 45 - The Truth Dominic OwedDominic had spent most of his adult life convincing dangerous men that he could not be frightened.
But sitting across from a federal investigator, with a recording device blinking between them, he discovered something worse than fear.
Regret.
Special Agent Reyes placed a document on the table.
"A Swiss trust paid the medical expenses of a woman named Rosa Vale for eleven years."
Dominic's expression changed.
"Leave her out of this."
"Julian Vance controlled that trust."
"I know."
"Then explain the relationship."
Dominic leaned backward.
Rosa Vale had raised him after he lost his family in Palermo. She was not his biological mother, but she had been the only person who ever treated him like a son.
When she became seriously ill, Julian had offered to pay for her treatment.
Dominic accepted.
He did not understand that Julian was buying obedience until years later.
"Every time I refused an order," Dominic admitted, "Julian reminded me who was paying her bills."
"And Claire?"
Dominic closed his eyes.
"Claire was originally an assignment."
"To protect her?"
"To observe her. Keep her alive. Make sure she never learned about Elias."
"Did you ever help Julian harm her?"
"I gave him information about her movements. Her meetings. The people she trusted."
Reyes leaned forward.
"Did you tell him when she began investigating the Sovereign accounts?"
Dominic swallowed.
"Yes."
The admission hung between them.
"And when did you stop?"
"The night Julian ordered me to identify every person who could be used against her."
"Why?"
"Because I realized he wasn't preparing to protect his daughter. He was preparing to destroy her if she disobeyed."
Reyes turned off the recorder.
"Your cooperation doesn't erase what you've done, Dominic."
"I know."
"Then why confess?"
He looked toward the one-way mirror.
"Because for three years I decided what Claire was allowed to know. I won't do that again."
Several hours later, Claire entered the interview room under supervision.
Dominic stood immediately.
She remained near the door.
"Rosa Vale," Claire said. "The woman whose hospital bills Julian paid."
He nodded.
"She's alive?"
"Yes. She's recovering in Italy."
"Then make sure she's safe. But don't ask me to forgive you because Julian threatened someone you loved."
"I won't."
Claire looked down at the diamond ring on her finger—the ring from their staged wedding at the cathedral.
She slowly removed it.
Dominic's face tightened.
"I loved you," she whispered.
"I still love you."
"Then you should understand why I need to find out who I am without you protecting me from the truth."
She placed the ring on the table.
Dominic did not reach for it.
Claire turned to leave.
At the doorway, she stopped.
"I'm going to meet Elias."
Dominic's entire body went rigid.
"Claire, Sabine Keller controls him. She's more dangerous than Julian."
Claire looked over her shoulder.
"Then give Reyes everything you know about her."
May you like
A faint, sad smile touched her lips.
"And Dominic? For once, trust me to survive my own decisions."
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