Chapter 3 - The Photograph That Proved Their Families Had Been Connected for Years
Dominic stared at the photograph.
The room seemed to contract around him.
Avery watched every movement of his face.
“You recognize him.”
Dominic's silence confirmed it.
“Who is he?”
“My father.”
Avery blinked.
“My father knew your father?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“I don't know.”
She frowned.
“That's impossible.”
Dominic placed the photograph carefully on the desk.
“I knew my father worked with a number of businessmen.”
“That isn't what this looks like.”
“No.”
Avery pointed toward the picture.
“My parents were twenty-four.”
“My father was thirty-six.”
“They're standing outside the same building.”
Dominic looked closer.
The building behind them was a warehouse.
One his family had owned.
One that had burned down in 2001.
His pulse quickened.
He remembered that fire.
It had been called an accident.
His father had disappeared for six hours before returning with blood on his shirt.
Three days later, a witness disappeared.
Two months after that, Dominic's mother left.
He had been seventeen.
He had spent twenty-one years refusing to connect the pieces.
Now Avery was standing in front of him with proof that the pieces belonged together.
“We should leave,” he said.
“Why?”
“Because I don't know who's watching this building.”
“You think the photograph is a threat?”
“I know it is.”
Avery grabbed the picture.
“I'm not running from my own history.”
“You don't understand.”
“Then explain.”
Dominic looked at her.
For one second he considered telling her everything.
Instead he said, “Someone may be trying to use your family to get to me.”
Avery's face hardened.
“Maybe someone is trying to use you to get to my family.”
Dominic had no answer.
They spent the afternoon investigating.
The photograph was genuine.
The warehouse had been listed under a company called Hart Logistics.
Avery's father had owned forty-nine percent.
Dominic's father owned fifty-one.
Avery stared at the paperwork.
“My parents never mentioned the Vale family.”
“My father never mentioned you.”
“That makes no sense.”
“There’s a reason.”
“What?”
Dominic shook his head.
“I don't have it yet.”
By evening, Avery had contacted Claire.
Claire answered immediately.
“Why are you asking about Dad's business records?”
“Because I found a photograph.”
“What photograph?”
“Dad with a man named Richard Vale.”
There was a long pause.
Claire finally whispered, “Where did you get that?”
Avery froze.
“You know who he is.”
“I know more than I wanted to.”
“Then tell me.”
“I can't.”
“Claire.”
“Not over the phone.”
“Why?”
“Because I don't know who is listening.”
The line went dead.
Avery stared at Dominic.
“My sister knows something.”
“I know.”
“How?”
“Because your reaction isn't the first one I've seen.”
He explained about the surveillance.
Avery went pale.
“You've known someone was watching me?”
“Yes.”
“And you didn't tell me?”
“I was trying to protect you.”
“You don't get to make that decision for me.”
“You could have been hurt.”
“I could still be hurt.”
Dominic stepped closer.
“That is exactly what I'm trying to prevent.”
Avery's anger softened.
“You can't protect me from the truth.”
“No.”
He looked at her.
“But I can make sure you survive it.”
The sentence left them both silent.
Avery finally whispered, “Why do you care so much?”
Dominic's answer came without hesitation.
“Because you matter to me.”
Her eyes filled.
She looked away.
That night, Dominic drove Avery home himself.
He walked her to the door.
Neither spoke.
She looked up.
“You're still stopping yourself.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because when I touch you, I don't trust myself to want less.”
Avery's breath caught.
“Maybe I don't want you to want less.”
Dominic closed his eyes for one second.
Then stepped back.
“Good night, Avery.”
He left.
Inside her apartment, Avery leaned against the door, heart racing.
She knew what she was feeling now.
It wasn't curiosity.
It wasn't attraction.
It was love.
But before she could admit that even to herself, her phone rang.
Claire.
Avery answered.
“Claire?”
Her sister's voice was shaking.
“You have to leave Chicago.”
“What?”
“Tonight.”
“Why?”
“Because Dad didn't die the way we were told.”
Avery went cold.
Claire continued.
“And neither did Mom.”
The call ended.
At the same moment, Dominic received a message from Marcus.
We found Rourke.
He’s moving.
And he isn't alone.
He has Claire Hart.
Dominic's entire body went still.
He called Avery.
No answer.
Again.
May you like
Nothing.
He ran.
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