Chapter 12 - THE QUESTION HE WAS AFRAID TO ASK
Dominic invited Brielle to dinner.
Not at his mansion.
Not at an expensive restaurant.
At a small Italian place near the lake.
Brielle arrived wearing a green dress.
Dominic stood when he saw her.
“You look beautiful.”
She smiled.
“Thank you.”
They ordered pasta.
Shared bread.
Talked about ordinary things.
Brielle told him about her counseling classes.
Dominic told her about Lily's obsession with dinosaurs.
They laughed.
Then the conversation grew quiet.
Dominic looked at her.
“Brielle.”
She smiled.
“Yes?”
He hesitated.
“I need to tell you something.”
She nodded.
“I've spent years making decisions I'm not proud of.”
Brielle listened.
“I'm working to separate my legitimate businesses from the criminal organization. I'm cooperating with legal counsel and authorities where appropriate.”
She nodded.
“I can't promise there won't be consequences.”
Brielle studied him.
“Then don't promise that.”
He looked surprised.
She continued.
“Promise you'll keep choosing better.”
Dominic smiled faintly.
“I can do that.”
Then he took a breath.
“Would you let me take you on another date?”
Brielle laughed.
“Dominic.”
He looked nervous.
She smiled.
“Yes.”
He exhaled.
May you like
For a man who had faced armed rivals without blinking, asking a waitress to dinner had nearly undone him.
And Brielle found that strangely beautiful.
