Page 63 of The Hermit

“Of course not.” His eyes flick to me before focusing on the road again. “Where I go, you go. That way, I can protect you at all times.”

“Oh.” I quickly glance out the window, a warm sensation in the region of my heart. Then a thought pops into my head, and I ask, “So you’ll take me with you when you have to assassinate someone?”

“Not for the kill shot. You can wait in the car with Evinka.”

A smile forms on my face. “You’re serious.”

He glances at me again. “Yes.”

Before I can think the question through, I ask, “But what if I’m pregnant or we have kids?”

Dominik’s head snaps in my direction, and seeing the shock on his face, I realize what I just said.

I quickly look away, and I’m surprised when he answers, “Then I’ll leave Evinka with you.”

I nod, not sure if he’s looking at the road or me.

There’s a moment's silence, then Dominik asks, “Before all the shit with Mallon, did you want to be a mother?”

My voice is soft as I answer, “It has always been one of my biggest dreams. That’s why I took over caring for Ciara after our mother passed away.”

“You’ll make an incredible mother, Grace.”

“Thank you,” I whisper as I look at him again.

Dominik steers the Hummer onto a main road, and the ride becomes less bumpy, then he says, “If it’s something you’re worried about, we can go the artificial insemination route.”

Once again, I’m amazed by Dominik, and I stare at him for the longest time before I reply, “We can talk about it at a later stage.”

He nods, and silence falls between us for the rest of the drive to the airfield.

My thoughts revolve around the man sitting next to me. It’s crazy how much has changed since I married him.

If I’d gotten to know this side of him before the wedding, I would’ve married him with a smile on my face.

I would’ve agreed to him marrying Ciara. She would’ve been so happy here on the mountain.

We haven’t spoken again since I told her that Dad was killed, but as soon as I have a new phone, I’ll reach out to her.

Dominik said she also didn’t go to Dad’s funeral, and a part of me feels guilty, but I’m sure Uncle Gerry gave Dad a nice service.

It’s not like Dominik would’ve let me go anyway. Thankfully, the matter was out of my hands.

Turning my head to look at Dominik, I ask, “Did you know your father?”

“No.”

That’s sad. Dominik only has Evinka.

“You don’t have to tell me, but how did Evinka get the scar on her neck?”

He’s quiet for a moment before he answers, “We don’t have much information about what happened. Just that her family was attacked and her throat was slit. It damaged her vocal cords. It happened a few months before I met her at the orphanage.”

Lifting a hand to cover my mouth, I whisper, “Jesus.”

He lets out a heavy breath, then says, “She was raped when she was thirteen. The image of her running toward me half-naked is seared into my mind forever.”

Shocked, I can only stare at Dominik as my heart goes out to Evinka.

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