Chapter 7 - THE FIRST KISS WAS A WARNING
The first bullet struck the community center's front door.
Dominic pulled Norah behind a concrete column.
"Stay down."
She clutched the waterproof case.
Outside, footsteps approached.
Dominic took out his phone and called emergency services.
Then he pulled a handgun from his jacket.
Norah stared at it.
"You brought that?"
"I was hoping not to need it."
Another shot struck the wall.
Dust fell from the ceiling.
Dominic looked toward the rear corridor.
"There's an emergency exit near the pool equipment room."
"How do you know?"
"I studied the building plan before we left."
"Of course you did."
He took her hand.
They ran.
The empty swimming pool stretched beside them like a concrete grave.
A man appeared at the far entrance.
Dominic fired toward the doorway, forcing him back.
Norah stumbled over a broken tile.
Dominic caught her.
"Keep moving!"
They reached the equipment room.
The emergency exit was chained from the outside.
Norah stared at it.
"That's not legal."
"File a complaint."
Dominic struck the rusted latch with a heavy wrench.
Once.
Twice.
The metal broke.
They escaped into the alley.
A black SUV was waiting.
Norah recognized the driver.
One of Victor's men.
Dominic stopped abruptly.
"Don't get in."
The driver reached beneath his coat.
Dominic shoved Norah behind a dumpster.
A shot cracked against the brick wall.
Dominic returned fire.
The driver fell behind the vehicle.
Then police sirens approached.
Within seconds, the attackers withdrew.
Dominic grabbed Norah's hand.
They ran toward a crowded commercial street and disappeared among pedestrians before anyone connected them to the gunfire.
---
An hour later, they entered a small motel near the interstate.
Dominic paid cash.
The receptionist barely looked up.
The room contained one double bed, an armchair, and a television bolted to the wall.
Norah examined the floral wallpaper.
"This is where the great Dominic Russo takes his wife?"
"It's the only place where Victor's people aren't expecting us."
"Very romantic."
"Would you prefer another shooting?"
"I'd prefer a vacation."
Dominic locked the door.
Then he checked the windows and drew the curtains.
Norah placed the waterproof case on the table.
Her hands were shaking.
Only then did she realize how close she had come to dying.
She sat on the edge of the bed.
Dominic approached.
"Are you hurt?"
"No."
"Look at me."
She did.
His eyes searched her face.
"Are you certain?"
"I said I'm fine."
But her voice cracked.
He crouched in front of her.
For a man who had spent years commanding rooms, he looked strangely uncertain.
"You don't have to pretend."
Norah stared at him.
Then the fear broke through.
"I thought I was going to die."
Dominic's expression softened.
"I know."
"I thought I'd never see Liam again."
"I know."
"And I thought you were going to get killed because of me."
His jaw tightened.
"None of this is your fault."
She looked at him.
"You don't believe that."
"I do."
"Then why did you marry me?"
He was silent.
For a moment, she thought he would offer another explanation about protection, family names, and permanent alliances.
Instead, he sat beside her.
"Because the night you walked into my office, I recognized something."
"What?"
"Someone who was terrified but refused to surrender."
Norah looked away.
Dominic continued.
"I was raised to believe that power means making people obey. You looked me in the eye and told me no."
"You threatened me."
"I know."
"You tried to take away my career."
"I know."
"You told me I belonged to you."
He lowered his head.
"That was wrong."
The admission caught her off guard.
Dominic Russo was apologizing.
Not because someone had forced him.
Because he understood.
"I grew up watching my father turn every relationship into an obligation," he said. "I promised myself I wouldn't become him."
"Yet you did."
"In more ways than I want to admit."
Norah took a slow breath.
"Then change."
He looked at her.
"People like me don't change easily."
"I work in emergency medicine. I've seen people come back from worse."
For the first time, he smiled without bitterness.
Then Norah noticed blood on his sleeve.
"You're hurt."
"It's nothing."
"Take off your jacket."
"Norah—"
"That wasn't a request."
He obeyed.
A bullet had grazed his upper arm.
The wound was shallow but bleeding.
Norah cleaned it with supplies from her medical bag.
Dominic watched her work.
"You carry that everywhere?"
"Some people carry designer handbags."
"I'll buy you one."
"I don't want one."
"Of course you don't."
She secured the dressing.
When she looked up, his face was inches from hers.
Neither moved.
For several seconds, the world seemed unexpectedly quiet.
Then Dominic whispered, "May I kiss you?"
Norah's heart accelerated.
She should have said no.
Their marriage was complicated, their lives were in danger, and she still knew very little about the man sitting beside her.
But for once, she wanted something without calculating what it might cost.
"Yes."
He touched her cheek.
The kiss was gentle.
Careful.
Nothing like the ruthless man she had met at Ilosto.
When he pulled away, Norah opened her eyes.
"That doesn't mean I forgive everything."
"I know."
"Or that you get to make decisions for me."
"I know."
"Or that I suddenly love you."
Dominic smiled faintly.
"I wouldn't insult your intelligence by assuming otherwise."
She almost kissed him again.
Then his phone vibrated.
An encrypted message appeared.
A photograph of the motel parking lot.
Taken moments earlier.
Below it were six words.
SHE LOOKS PRETTY BESIDE YOU, DOMINIC.
Norah read the message.
Then looked toward the closed curtains.
Someone had found them.
May you like
And this time, the enemy already knew exactly where they were sleeping.
---
