Page 59 of Submit

People are shuffling all around the house and this is likely one of the last quiet moments Dominic and I will have before things get ugly. Luis has turned his attention to his men and although I wish I knew what he was saying, I swiftly turn my attention back to Dominic.

“I can’t stay locked in that room while you’re out here fighting my battle. I’ll go insane, clawing the walls to know you’re okay.” It appears that I’ve caught full-on feelings for the elusive Paulo “Casper” Briseño a.k.a. Dominic Hielo and they’re coming out whether now is a good time or not.

FML.

His smile is utterly disarming in its authenticity. “It sounds like you kind of like me,” he teases as he brushes a strand of hair out of my face, cocking his head to the side.

“Well, as I said before, you fuck as good as you look and that’s saying something, so yeah, I like you,” I tease back, trying desperately to keep emotion at bay. Failing miserably, I bite the inside of my cheek.

His eyes darken and his tongue trails across his bottom lip. I have to swallow hard to stop myself from pushing up on my toes to pull that lip between my teeth. Now’sdefinitelynot the time for that.

Bea and Richard come around the corner looking like they got about as much sleep last night as Dominic and I did.

“It seems Luis’ men are getting into place early. I asked a couple of the toll guards to let me know if any suspicious vehicles cross the bridge to head up this way. I gave them the description of Will’s Range Rover even though I doubt he’s dumb enough to use his personal vehicle.”

“I wouldn’t put it past him. He’s dumb enough to try this at all,” I mutter.

“Valid point. Nonetheless, it would be wise not to underestimate him,” Richard concedes as he turns his attention back to Dominic and holds out his hand. “Dominic, I hope you know how much Bea and I enjoyed having you with us these last eighteen years. No matter how this ends, we love you, son.”

Fuck me with a fork. I was already working hard to keep my tears behind the dam but hearing Richard’s confession and his love for Dominic broke every wall I had and tears gush down my face as they embrace each other.

Even though Dom was in a paid position, these two clearly have a bond that transcends race, culture, and social status.

I can’t hear Dominic’s reply because Bea has crushed me to herself in an equally emotional hug despite the fact that we have known each other for a much shorter period of time. She doesn’t let go until I get my breathing under control and she whispers, “Take care of him. He’s as good as they come. Don’t let him forget that.”

I nod vigorously into her neck before we break apart.

Luis trots over to our group seemingly unaware of the sadness floating between us. “My men are all in place. I would expect him sooner than noon,” he states factually.

Dominic nods. “I agree. Richard, let’s get the ladies settled and then we wait.”

I can’t help but feel like I’m marching to my death as they lead us to the weapons room. It’s virtually impenetrable unless one knows the room is hereandknows the code. A titanium, bullet proof door is behind the painting, so even if they rip the painting off the wall, they aren’t getting past the door unless they blow it up…which would most likely kill me and I have to think if Will’s been pretending to date me for two and a half years instead of just killing me outright, then having me die now seems counterproductive.

Or maybe I just tell myself that to quell the nerves.

When we get to the room, the men step inside with us. Richard and Bea share a private moment while Dominic wraps his arms around me. His mouth is hot against my ear. “Like your vest, this door doesn’t open unless I say so. Not for my brother, not for his men, not even if Will is standing on the other side with a gun to my head do you open this door unless I say so. Do you understand?”

I stare at him with fire in my eyes because no way am I going to stay on lock-down and do nothing while Will ends the most precious life I’ve ever known.

“I understand,” I start and Dom seems to relax a little until I speak again. “But I don’t agree. I will open this door and shoot him myself if that’s what it takes to get his gun away from you.” Dominic must sense the ferocity and truth in my words because shockingly, he doesn’t argue. He does however, stare me down for a solid thirty seconds before nodding once and putting his hand on the back of my neck, pulling me to him for another hard kiss. When he breaks away, he drags his thumb across my bottom lip and I grip his shirt to stop myself from falling to the floor.

That thumb’s trail has quickly become my favorite response of his.

As he pulls back, I’m still breathing heavy, my eyes close, and I take in the phantom pressure of his hand which is no longer on my neck nor his thumb on my lip.

“I will come get you when this is over.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

Twenty-Two

I EXPECT THE HOURS TO drag by slowly but in fact, they fly. Beatrice is wonderful under pressure and we pass the time by loading additional magazines and talking through our nerves.

At ten a.m. we hear knuckles rap on the door and Dom’s voice on the other side. “We have confirmation that six vehicles are on the road to the house. Looks like we were right, he’s coming early.”

“Is Will with them?” I yell through the door, wanting this over with as fast as possible.

“Not sure, yet. I’ll check back in when I can but it may be a while.” Meaning he’s about to be busy. Dominic and Richard are guarding the front door, choosing to station Luis at the back so they can keep an eye on him as well, I presume.

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