Page 73 of Always You
“Baby, I never took photos, honestly. I have no clue who would do it, and I never saw her with a camera.”
A hiccup escapes as more tears shed.
“We will figure out who sent you those photos. I’ll let Liam know and we’ll get your studio back together.” Dominic kisses my temple, he wraps me in a hug.
Who would send me those photos? Samantha? His mom? Did they do this to mess with me? I don’t think they would break into my place.
“Do you think it was your mom who sent me those photos? or Samantha?”
“I don’t know, baby. I can’t see my mom taking pictures of us doing stuff, you know.”
He’s right, I don’t think his mom would take photos of them having sex… that would be odd. Maybe, Samantha, had a camera hidden.
“Do you think it was Samantha? Because it’s clear she would. The photos are of you two. It was to hurt me.”
His eyes dart to mine. As he rubs his jaw. “Angel, it could be her. Trying to cause problems by breaking us up. I know she’s pissed over the breakup.” He sighs.
“Whoever sent them wanted to get a rise out of you baby, from now on, I want you to be careful.” He lifts my chin and kisses my lips. “I love you, Mila. You got that, baby? I’m so fucking sorry, baby. Fuck.”
Sophie walks out of her office. “I just called the insurance to make a claim they will get back to me.”
Exhaling. What a fucking day.
“Thank you for calling.”
Dominic grabs my purse leading me out the door. Sophie walks out the door heading home.
“Let’s go, baby. I’ll take you for ice cream,” he drawls.
I kiss his cheek. The pit of my stomach sours. The images of those photos, my studio. What the hell!
“I can’t get those images out of my head,” I admit.
His eye flair with anger. “Angel, you’re letting whoever did this win.”
I nod in agreement.
twenty-three
MILA
The insurance has compensated us for the damage. It took us a couple of days to get it all cleaned up. The police are still investigating the break-in. Unfortunately, the security cameras from the neighboring stores didn't pick up the perpetrator's identity. Uneasiness settles as I see those images of Dominic and her in my head. Daliah notices my pinned eyes on the trash can. Wordlessly, she takes the dumpster outside and burns them.
I’m starting to wonder if Dominic and I are meant to be star-crossed lovers. The universe seems to be conspiring against us. My heart and mind are not in the same agreement. My mind says guard yourself, build a wall. My heart says let him in. I lean back in my chair, massaging my temples.
“What are you doing for Halloween tomorrow?” Daliah asks as she goes over the client’s appointment book.
At the same time, I set up props for my next appointment.
“Dante has a Halloween party in his class. I’m taking cupcakes and goodie bags for the class. Dominic and I are doing the trick-or-treating around here with Dante. And you?”
She shrugs as she taps her pen on her chin. Today she has her hair pink. It looks good on her. “After passing out candy here. I’m going with my boyfriend to his friend’s Halloween party.”
“Sounds like fun,” I say as I set out artificial pumpkins for photo shoots.
Sophie traipses out of her office smiling.
“What are you grinning at?” I raise an eyebrow at her.
