Page 39 of Dominic

Chapter Twenty

Cassandra was convincedGordon had been bluffing, or at the very least trying to force something he couldn’t back up when she hadn’t heard anything from him a week later.

If anything, Dominic stepped up security. Gordon wouldn’t get another chance at brake lines or other ways to scare her using him. Unless Gordon wanted to start an out and out war with La Cosa Nostra, he was going to have to back off.

Cassandra wanted to do a little happy dance. Her stepfather couldn’t hurt her and for the first time she felt like she was part of something. She was a Rinaldi. Maybe she and Dominic weren’t exactly announcing their marriage, but there was no discounting that they were in a relationship.

Cassandra had spent most of the week working with Sarah on the wedding that would take place in two days. Dominic had just laughed at her absence, saying he didn’t want to get involved with any bridezilla stuff. Sweet, kindergarten teacher Sarah was the least bridezilla type person Cassandra had ever known. She was so excited about the wedding and the baby that Cassandra couldn’t even be sad that her own circumstances were so different.

“How are things between you and Dominic?” Sarah had asked as they worked on the centerpieces for the tables at the reception. Sarah had wanted to make them herself. “I don’t guess we’ll be getting ready for your wedding since you’re already married.”

Cassandra shrugged. “To be honest I’m not sure exactly where our relationship stands. Things are much better than they were when we started a few months ago, but I wouldn’t call us married.”

Sarah laughed. “You eat all your meals together, you sleep in the same bed, you can’t keep your hands off each other… I’m going to go out on a limb and call that married. If you don’t be careful, next thing you know you’ll have your own little Rinaldi on its way.”

“Family is so important to them. Roman, Dominic, and Lukas. Babies.” Cassandra fought to keep her heartbreak from showing.

“It must be an Italian thing. Big family, lots of kids. You know the boys were called the triple threat by their teachers growing up. And by quite a few girlfriends I’m sure.”

Cassandra smiled. “No, but I have no difficulty imagining that at all.”

They sat the last of the centerpieces at the tables. Everything was now ready.

“You’re getting married tomorrow,” Cassandra said to Sarah with a smile. The other woman was positively glowing.

“I know.” Cassandra found herself surrounded by the smaller woman’s arms. “Roman and I’s story didn’t start out very romantically either. Someday, when you and I are really drunk, I’ll show you my tattoo on my butt. That’s quite a story.”

Cassandra raised an eyebrow. Sweet, little, kindergarten teacher had a tattoo on her ass? That had a story behind it? “I’ll look forward to it. Sort of.”

They laughed and Sarah released her. “Okay, I’ve got a couple of things to take care of downtown. The guys are all going out together. I’ll see you tomorrow at the wedding.”

Having a girlfriend was nice. Cassandra realized she’d never really had one. Friendships were not encouraged the way she grown up, unless you were planning to steal from them. And Sarah was so easy to love it was ridiculous.

Cassandra went home, prepared for an evening in, maybe catching up on some of the security work she’d put aside to help Sarah this week. Or maybe she would just watch some Scooby Doo cartoons.

The phone Dominic had gotten her this week when she started spending so much time with Sarah buzzed. Since he was the only one who had the number, he would be the only one texting her. She looked down at the message.

Ready for the wedding? It would be a shame if the bride didn’t make it, wouldn’t it?

A picture of Sarah showed up on the screen. She was wearing the same outfit she had on when Cassandra had left her an hour ago, standing standing in front of a jewelry store.

The phone rang in Cassandra’s hand. She knew right away who it was.

“Gordon, you fucking bastard, don’t you touch her.”

“It’s a shotgun wedding, I’m sure you had to know that, Cassandra. Miss Hastings is pregnant.”

“Goddamn you, Gordon.”

“I’m not going to hurt your little friend. As a matter fact, I have over two dozen people who can vouch for the fact that I’m currently sitting in Chicago. Darrell, on the other hand… it’s just so hard to say with him. The boy has a mind of his own.”

Cassandra closed her eyes. Darrell was Gordon’s son, two years older than her. Much more violent than his father. “Don’t let him hurt her. Sarah has nothing to do with this.”

“You’re sitting in the lap of luxury in Dominic Rinaldi’s home. All I’m asking you to do is upload the mirroring software. I’m not an idiot, Cassandra. I don’t want Rinaldi to know what I’m doing, so I won’t be taking much. Just a little information here or there. He never even needs to know you’re involved.”

“Gordon, please. I just want out. I’m not part of your family. I never have been. Just leave me and Dominic alone.”

“You wanted out seven years ago too, and how did that go for you? Do you need another picture of sweet Sarah? You more than anyone should know how easily a baby can be lost.”

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