Chapter 34

He stood as she turned the lock, and as soon as the door opened, Dominique practically barreled out. The sick feeling in his midsection turned to relief as soon as he had the visual evidence she was fine. Jess barely had the chance to brace himself before she threw her arms around him, giving him a hug almost strong enough to crush the breath from his lungs.

“When can we go?” she demanded.

“We can’t.”

Dominique lifted her head. “What do you mean, we can’t? You’re here. Now take me home.”

“Come on, we need to talk.”

“No,” Michelle said sharply.

“You never said we couldn’t talk.”

“I don’t want you alone with her.”

Jesse sighed. “I’m not taking her anywhere. You have my word. That used to mean something to you, didn’t it?”

“Fine. Five minutes. And then we haveto talk, Jesse.”