Page 37 of The Doctor

“Lilly will also be there. The FBI believes Dom knows more than he thinks.” She looked away as she spoke further. “They want to put him through a cognitive interview.”

“Absolutely fucking not.” I pushed from my chair and stood. “I’ve seen those being done. A few times they couldn’t wait for a patient to fucking heal and did it in the ER. Those people were further traumatized after that. Absolutely no fucking way are they subjecting my kid to that.”

I was breathing hard and angry Bex would even consider such a thing. Yeah, they’ve shown some semblance of what itcould be like on TV but in reality, it was never that simple and hardly ever that successful.

Dom looked over at Bex. “What is a cognitive interview?”

She looked from me back to Dom. “Basically, you’re guided to go back to that night on the staircase. It's scary, because we don’t know what will trigger a memory and how it will affect you emotionally.” She pulled me back into my seat. “I will be in the room with you for the whole thing, and I’ve insisted that I pick the interviewer. They agreed to let Lilly be the one to interview you.”

Dom raised a brow and it was like looking in a mirror. “Is she any good?”

Bex smiled, obviously seeing the same thing I did. “I wouldn’t trust anyone else with one of the most important people in my life.”

Dom stared at her for a moment before looking into his lap. “You promise you won’t let me get separated from my family?”

“I will fight with my last breath for all three of you. But Dom, we have something else we need to talk about.”

His face was weary and I couldn’t blame him. “What now?”

She took a deep breath. “Dom, your grandmother was killed about a week ago. SFPD had no idea where you were, which was why it took so long for us to be informed.”

I watched as his face turned to stone. One minute he was scared as hell. The next moment all hell broke loose as his voice roared through the apartment. “What more must I lose? They are determined to take my whole family from me. Everyone I love.”

I put my hand on his arm. “Dom, calm down.”

“Calm down?” His anger was directed at me. I took that as a good sign. “My grandmother is just a nice old lady. She knew nothing.” He took a moment to breathe. “Oh, God. What if they come after Landy and Vic? What if they come after you guys? Ineed to leave. That was why they wanted to separate us in San Francisco.”

Bex grabbed him and held his shoulders. “We’re not going anywhere. None of us thought she was in danger since she was your dad’s mother. But Dom, she died protecting you. She would want you to know that.”

“How do you know that?”

Bex inhaled and blinked away her own tears. “Because she knew you were adopted. She knew Logan and I were from Marina De Ferrier. If she told them that, they would’ve been here already. She kept that secret to protect you.”

The tears fell from his eyes and Bex pulled him closer as he cried. “I can’t lose more people Bex, I can’t. I want them caught and I want them gone.” He pulled away and turned to me. “I will do that cognitive thing if it means we can end this.”

21

BEX

A few protocols were being overlooked. But it was a small town and law enforcement resources were limited. Also, Nick and Salinger Security were trusted beyond all else. A process that was meant to be distant and cold was softened with the presence of family and friends.

For one thing, I was no slouch when it came to protection detail and I could get even more feral when it involved people I loved. Also, Dom and I were accompanied by Ollie and Lilly, as well as Drake Wilder from the US Marshals and Jessica Marsh as our police guards. My kid was the most protected teenager in Southern California and I was happy to be surrounded by so many people who knew what they were doing.

Once we arrived in the interrogation room, only the FBI agent was present. Since Dom was a witness and not a suspect, as well as being a minor, they allowed both me and our lawyer in the room with him. Our lawyer was not a criminal attorney but rather was there to make sure Dom was treated right and that I didn’t put him in unnecessary danger. When it came time to petition for permanent guardianship, I wanted to make sure Logan and I had done all the right things. That was, of course, if Logan and I could actually get things right.

We’d had no time alone since that date at the diner. Of course, sex would be a lot easier if we were at home and awake at the same time. Perhaps that was the one thing that could change. Even if nothing happened, my schedule was flexible so I could make sure to be with him when he got home.

Yeah, I was ready to go at it with him the night of the wedding. But so much had changed since then. I had little kids to consider. I also had an impressionable teenager under my roof. We both did. I had no idea whether Dom had had a ‘birds and bees’ talk. I assumed he hadn’t had sex, but also had no idea how he was with girls. Or boys for that matter.

The car stopping had me shaking off my thoughts. “Let's go.”

Dom nodded and stepped out of the back of the SUV. He held the door open as I slid out and I stifled a smile. His parents had taught him how to be a gentleman. I loved that for him. And I loved even more that Logan would take it further.

I held out my hand to him, knowing he had to be scared. The one thing I knew about his current situation was that reliving the worst night of his life would not be easy. As far as I knew he hadn’t experienced nightmares. Not loud ones at least. But the interview could trigger them.

As we walked through the door, I let go of his hand and placed my arm on his shoulder. Jessica led the way to the interrogation room.

The FBI agent spoke up as we walked in. “Hello, Dominic, I am Special Agent Lamb. I am going to ask you a few questions. Is that okay?”

---