Page 23 of Sinister Intentions

“I’ve adopted a pup.”

Dom stared at me as if I’d grown a second head. “You what?”

“A dog.”

He looked as confused as I still felt. Why did I even stop the car? What was it about Piccolina—as it turned out, she was a girl and not chipped or registered—that had my heart bleeding for her?

“She was sitting on the street, most likely had been hit by a car, according to the vet.

“You adopted a dog?” Dom said, his voice laced with disbelief.

I chuckled. It wasn’t easy to surprise him, but I’d surprised myself with Piccolina.

“Where is the pup now?” Dom asked.

“My apartment, why?”

He narrowed his eyes. “So, on top of everything you’ve got going on, you’ve taken on the added responsibility of caring for a dog?”

I cocked my head. What was he getting at?

“I was talking about taking a break, not making your life even more complicated.”

“Picca’s not a complication. I hired someone to train her and take her for walks, and she has a pen she’s staying in.” Listening to myself, I could hardly believe it was me saying these words. I sounded like a complete idiot, explaining myself when I never did—to no one.

“I really don’t know what to say to that,” he finally said while staring at me.

I shrugged. I didn’t actually care what anybody said. Picca was mine; so what if my life got more complicated because of her?

Dom was still looking at me, probably contemplating how close to a nervous breakdown I was. “If you won’t take a break, then at least let off some steam.” He nodded toward the mats. “There’s a BJJ tournament tomorrow. I’m sure I could still get you in. I could use some PR… Like you representing the gym; it’s a win-win.”

I stared at him, dumbfounded. “You need PR so badly you’ll resort to selling this as therapy sessions?”

A grin split his face. “Just looking out for the both of us, Fratello. You need something even if you won’t admit it.”

I studied him for a long moment, weighing my options. As much as I hated to admit it, the idea of competing, of letting loose and letting the physical exertion drown out the chaos in my mind, was appealing. But what Dom needed was some exposure. He’d just opened the gym, and it was probably not easy to get it going from the ground up.

And what would make a bigger splash than having this gym flooded with Salvinis? I made a mental note to recruit my brothers. “Sorry, but I’m booked tomorrow. But I’ll send my brothers your way; that should do the trick.”

The lopsided smile on his face told me he was grateful. No words needed.

It had always been this way between us. Even before.

Before my mother’s death, when everything went to hell. Before we both grew up and the burden of being the oldest really settled on my shoulders. And before I set out to get out from under my father’s thumb once and for all.

Maybe a few hours of mindless violence would be exactly what I needed to find my center again.

That or a few hours of mindless fucking.

“Don’t get too excited,” I warned him. “I’ll talk to them, but they’re dicks, so you might not thank me later.”

Dom’s laughter echoed through the gym, and despite myself, I felt the knot in my chest loosen ever so slightly. “How could they be anything else but dicks when they’ve learned from the best?”

I glared at him. “Screw you.” But inside, I already felt lighter. “Let’s grab something to eat; I’m starving.”

Dom grinned. “Yes, let’s wash up first. I’ve waited to ogle your naked butt all week.” He waggled his eyebrows, then slapped my butt.

I shook my head and laughed. He would never change. Which somehow pushed aside the troubles swirling around in my mindand let me focus on what really mattered—my family—which included Dom.

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