Chapter Nine

"The cops are on to us!"

"I've been informed..." Domino set the bloody brass knuckles down on the table, dried his hands off in the towel offered to him by his wife & faced off with his twin. Isabelle backed away slowly, keeping her eyes on the floor as her husband instructed. The differences between her & Sarah were like day & night which was probably the reason why she wasnt lying face down in a ditch somewhere.

"Do not fret about such trivial matters Nicholai," He said, forcing a smile & patting his twin on the back. "We will take care of this. Ain't that right Carlos?"

The man whose face looked as though it had been bashed in with a baseball bat raised his head & spoke in an even tone. "Yes, my lord."

He coughed up blood, the steel chains fastened to his hands clinked against marble as he sought to clean up the mess he made. The mafia ruled by fear & showing mercy was not a trait his twin possessed.

Dom's grey eyes darkened with malice, looking at him was like staring back at the devil himself. He got a hard on from making people suffer & who could blame him.

"See? No problem!"

The corners of his mouth curved in what passed for a smile. It felt genuine, reassuring, still Nic worried that the life he had made for himself would go up in smoke.

The thought that alll the work he'd done to ensure this part of his life would never see the light of day could crumble away put him on edge. Afterall, he knew Jessica Briggs in a way his brother did not, as long as there was a string loose she'd pull the entire thing apart at the seams.

"What's the plan?" Nic questioned, growing impatient.

"Someone at the station owes me one & I think its about time I cashed in on that favor." Dom turned to his wife, "Bambina, pour me me a drink....I'm parched."

"What about Carlos!?" Bella spat, seething with anger, "He's family!"

"He's lucky I don't cut his fucking hand off!" Dom grabbed her by the hair, tipping her head back until wide blue eyes greeted him, "I'd hate to have to repeat myself."

There was a familiar defianace in her stare, Nic finally understood why his brother had been so taken with her. It was the same for him.

Dom was as possessive, as he was cruel & If she failed to heed his word Carlos would ultimately die, so would Jess if she kept digging.

"If we're done here, I'm leaving." Nic said, strolling out of the room without a reply. He needed to find her before his brother did.

Two hours later, Nic found himself across the street from Pierre's. He had planned on confronting Jessica, but something felt off. He followed her, hopeful she'd lead him to her informant. Every cop knows without direct proof, hearsay would be inadmissible in court. The entire case would fall apart & so would the team involved.

Nic lost track of how much time Jessica spent in the restaurant, but kept his gaze fixated on the door until she reappeared.

When she did, the smile on her face was surreal, he'd never seen her so full of life, so happy. Subconsciously his hands tightened around the sterring wheel. A glimpse of the figure standing tall behind her had him clenching his teeth. Nic averted his gaze with a curse. He spared another glance at the Amazionian woman, then twisted the ignition key.

The brief stop made him somewhat concerned & he had convinced himself that was the true reason he kept following their trail.

When the car pulled into the driveway of her apartment they both got out. He stared expectantly as the dark-haired woman pulled Jess into her embrace. They kissed with a fervor that made his heart pound. Despite himself, he hardened at the sight. Delving into his slacks, Nic exhaled a long hard breath, compelled to watch the scene unfold before him.