Chapter17
994 Words
The alley fell into a tense, uneasy silence. Serena’s breath still came fast, but not from the chase anymore. Dominic stood too close, calm and commanding. Dope’s glare, however, was pure fire.
Dominic turned slightly toward Serena, his hand gently brushing her elbow. “Come on. You need to get off the streets.”
But before she could respond, Dope stepped forward and grabbed her hand, tugging her back toward him.
“She’s not going anywhere with you,” he said, voice low but tight with anger. “You show up out of nowhere, start barking orders, and now you think you can take her?”
Serena yanked her hand back, eyes wide. “Dope…..”
“No,” he cut in, not looking at her. “You want me to just stand here and let some random great suit muscle in? Not happening.”
Dominic gave a short, cold laugh. “Random great suit? You mean the guy who just saved her life? You think because you’ve been running around chasing shadows, that gives you some kind of claim on her?”
Dope continued “I'm her husband and most people around her do know that. Now if you weren't so narcissistic maybe just maybe you'll use your brains a little.”
“Say what!” Dope turned at Serena and her head was bowed down..
Dope didn't feel right and this is where his inner feeling to always fight back came out again.
“I don’t claim her,” Dope growled. “But I care. And I sure as hell did expect her to be hiding a whole damn marriage from me. People go through it great suit and don't need to share their entire lives”
The words were like a grenade thrown into a dry field.
Serena froze. Her heart skipped a beat again. That was the guy she was in love with and for that reason . He never judged her no matter the situation she was in.
“It’s complicated,” she said quietly.
Serena glanced at Dominic, who was watching silently, cold as stone. Then back to Dope.
“I didn’t tell anyone else apart from my girl,” she whispered. “Not even Clara. Not my team. Not you.”
“Why?” Dope demanded.
“Because I didn’t want it to define me!” she snapped. “Because if anyone knew, every move I made would be seen as his. Not mine.”
Dope shook his head. “You didn’t trust me.”
“It wasn’t about you,” she said, voice softening. “It was about me.”
“Well,” he said, backing away, hands raised. “Now it’s about both of us.”
Dominic pulled her towards his car and Dope held her hand again. “ I’ll see you soon.” She smiled slightly and nodded.
The folds that appeared on Dominic’s front head was enough proof that he wasn't having it at all.
Hours later, they were at Dominic's apartment. The city shimmered with glass and drizzle as Serena stood in the hallway outside Dominic’s apartment. She hated herself for being there.
He answered the door before she knocked.
“I figured,” he said, stepping aside.
She walked in without a word.
“You made a mess back there,” he said, pouring a drink and setting it on the counter. “You could’ve told him.”
“And say what?” she asked bitterly. “That I married someone I barely knew because my pack needed alliance and protection? Lmao. That we signed a prenup thicker than most legal handbooks? “
Dominic looked at her, arms crossed. “You agreed to more than that.”
Serena’s mouth tightened. “Don’t.”
“You did. You knew what this meant. Visibility and safety and a duty Serena.”
“Duty? I was never fine with it,” she snapped. “I am honestly trying to get used to this, so let's live our normal lives like we always did.”
“You made choices,” he replied. “Just like I did. And yet, you still act like I’m the one who forced you into it.”
“You’re the one showing up just because I breathe too loud!” she said, her voice cracking. “How did you know I was in that alley tonight? How do you always know?”
Dominic’s jaw flexed. “ I had work there for the hundredth time.”
“Yeah right”
Before she could speak again, her phone buzzed on the kitchen counter
She went to it then answered.
“Agent Cruz, this is from the general counsel. You’re being officially removed from the Clara case, effective immediately.”
The words hit her like a slap. “Excuse me?”
“You’re compromised,” the voice said evenly. “Personal relationships have clouded your judgment. Your involvement ends now.”
“I’ve been on this since the beginning. I built this case,” she growled. “You can’t just ”
“We can. And we did. The file has been reassigned.”
“To who?” she demanded.
A beat.
“Agent Mara.”
Serena’s mouth dropped open. “Mara?”
“She was next in line. Her record is clean. Professional. She won’t let personal entanglements get in the way.”
“You mean she won’t ask questions,” Serena spat.
The voice didn’t respond.
Serena’s hands clenched into fists. “This is a political move. You’re covering your ass.” Serena realized immediately.
“The line went dead.
She stared at the phone in disbelief. Then turned and hurled it across the room. It hit the far wall with a c***k, clattering to the floor.
If the firm wanted her off the case, then she’d make her own case. No
clearance. No limits.
And when she was done
She wasn't going to let Mara have her case. She could never.
- Writer
