After we finish up our duties, Sonia and I head to the airport hotel since we’re stuck in Harbor Point until tomorrow morning. I put in a notice with the company I work for that I’m able to work any route heading to Coral Bay in case there’s an opening, hoping to get home sooner, but nothing pops up.
So, after talking to Damien, telling him I love and miss him, I go to bed and set my alarm for six a.m.
I’m snuggling into my pillow, my eyes slowly closing, when there’s a knock on my door. Because I’m in a hotel and it’s late, it can only be one person …
“Peyton, open up.” Dominick’s masculine voice comes through the door.
I consider yelling at him to go away, but something tells me that a guy like him would only see that as a challenge. He obviously went out of his way to find out where I was, and I doubt he’ll leave until he says whatever it is he needs to say. Honestly, it’s better for him to talk to me here than follow meback home. The last place I want this dangerous man is in Coral Bay.
“What?” I ask when I swing the door open.
Instead of answering, he strolls past me like he owns the place, not stopping until he’s in the middle of the tiny main area.
“You’re not surprised I found you,” he says, quirking a brow. “Does that mean you now know who I am?”
“Yes, I know exactly who you are,” I tell him, crossing my arms protectively over my chest. “And in case I didn’t make it clear, I want nothing to do with you.”
“Really?” He chuckles darkly, stepping toward me. “Because when you were accusing me of cheating on mysister, what you wanted seemed a bit fuzzy.”
“It was a mistake. What we had all those years ago was a onetime thing, and I would really appreciate it if you left.”
Dominick eyes me for several seconds, his gaze roaming over my face and down my body, and despite being fully clothed in my pajamas, I’ve never felt more exposed from a single look.
“Who’s Damien?” he asks.
I flinch at his out-of-left-field question and pray I school my features before he notices.
“He’s—”
“Don’t even think about saying he’s none of my business.”
Dammit.
“And don’t lie.”
Fuck.
I know about his reputation. And I would be stupid to lie to him and risk him finding out, but I don’t have a choice because the alternative is …
“He’s my boyfriend. And it’s serious.”
Dominick tilts his head, assessing me, and my heart pounds against my chest as I hope like hell he doesn’t see through my lie.
“You sure about that?” he asks me point-blank.
I don’t know why, but I have a horrible feeling he already knows the answer. Which means …
“Did you have me investigated?”
“What does it matter?” he asks. “If you’re telling the truth, then you have nothing to hide.”
He steps toward me, and I take a step back, hitting the wall behind me.
“Answer the fucking question,” he says, his tone reminding me ofthat day. Cold, menacing … deadly. “Who is Damien?”
Oh my God. He knows.
He wouldn’t keep asking if he didn’t. It’s like when I ask Damien about something he did that he shouldn’t have, wanting him to admit it for himself, even though I already know the answer.