Page 52 of Ruined By the Enemy
His brows furrow, drawing a sharp line between his eyes. “Pick up your car?”
I nod, trying to keep it casual. “I know it’s a wreck by now, but I should get a head start on the repairs. That way, it’ll be in working condition before I resume work. I mean… I do have some days off, right?”
Dom turns toward me, arms falling to his sides as a slow, confused frown pulls at his face. “You’re not fixing your car, Sophie. I handled it already.”
That stops me. “You… what?”
He shrugs, like it’s nothing. “Had it towed to a repair facility we trust. Everything’s already in motion.”
A beat of silence stretches between us before he adds, voice low and almost scolding, “And why wouldn’t I give you time off after a car accident?”
My lips part, but no sound comes out.
Because you’re Domenico Moretti? Demanding? Ruthless? Cruel?
“I don’t know,” I whisper. I don’t know what to think when he throws me off like that. I’d have preferred that he blamed me for leaving early, but even admitting I made up an excuse last night led to a kiss.
His eyes are too soft for me. Too patient and understanding. “I have to go,” I say in a small voice. “I’ll get your clothes back to you after I’ve washed them.”
As I step closer, Dom moves, planting himself firmly between me and the hallway like a human barricade. “You can’t leave,” he says.
My eyebrows shoot up. “What does that mean? I can’t leave?”
“The car accident wasn’t random,” he says, and there’s a hard edge in his tone now. “It was premeditated. You were a target,Sophie. And until I know you’re not in immediate danger, you’ll stay here.”
The floor shifts under me. “What?”
I blink. “You—no. No way.”
Sleeping with him was one thing, but staying under the same roof for the foreseeable future will drive me mad.
He doesn’t budge. “I’m not asking.”
“That’s not your call to make,” I snap, trying to sidestep him. But if I have to push my way through, I would.
Although I’m not sure I’ll be able to get his larger frame out of the way. Not with all that muscle and those shoulders. Firm, broad, warm—
Absolutely not.
“What makes you think I was the person they were aiming for?” I thrust my hands on my hips. It sounds like I pulled the argument from thin air, but I ride it with it anyway.
He clearly didn’t expect me to spin things, because he lets out a baffled scoff. “You think they were after someone else? You were in your car, Sophie.You.How could there possibly be a mistake with that?”
I throw my hands in the air. “I don’t know, you tell me.” After a beat, I realize I have to come up with an explanation to back up my theory. “You’re the CEO of a billion-dollar corporation that has been in your family for years. Which means you must have enemies.”
Keep going, Sophie.“Maybe someone saw me leaving and thought they could use the accident as a way to get back at you for something you did.”
Dom snorts. An undignified, audible snort. “And why would they choose you? They could’ve gone for Raffaele at least. I’ve known him longer.”
For some reason, it stings to hear him talk about me like I’m easily dispensable, when I’ve spent the past couple weeks buriedin paperwork, literal paper, and jumping on flights so I could meet his horrible, inhumane deadlines.
But I’m not letting him take me down that easily. “And when have you shown up at an event with an employee?” He’s silent. “See?” I lift my shoulders. “I’m right. You’ve pissed off the wrong person, and they thought I’d be the scapegoat.”
It’s still a shaky theory at best, but I get angrier the more I spin it. “You should be apologizing for putting me in harm’s way, Domenico, and not making me a hostage.”
A slow, cryptic smile touches his lips as I let my hands fall to my sides.
“I see,” he murmurs. “Normally, I’d buy your argument. After all, you don’t get to where I am without making enemies.”
