Chapter 122
As soon as they were out of earshot, I rounded on Dominic, my hands trembling with frustration. “You’d better start talking,” I hissed, my voice low and trembling. “Where is t
my daughter?”
Dominic held
a
‘,
his voice softer now, almost pleading. “Raina, listen-”
is
cut
m off, my voice rising again.
Dominic’s v hit me like a freight train. “I had Alex come and take her,” he admitted, his voice calm, as if what he’d just said wouldn’t shatter me completely.
Anger flared hot and fast, mixing with a pain so sharp it left me breathless. “You what?” I demanded, my voice shaking with rage.
He stood firm,
on his hips, his expression unreadable. “I had Alex take Ava. It was the safest option.”
My vision blurred as fury threatened to take over. “Are you out of your mind?” I spat, stepping closer to him. “How could you let him take my daughter? Do you know what I’m dealing with right now? I’m trying to fight for Liam’s custody, and you—”
“I had to!” Dominic
think Ava is sale
me off, his voice raising just enough to silence me. “Raina, think for a second. Someone poisoned Grandpa. What makes you
I froze, his words sinking in for only a second before my anger flared again. “That’s not your decision to make, Dominic!” I shouted, pointing a trembling finger at him. “You had no right to do this without telling me!”
He let out a heavy sigh, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that only stoked my fury. “I had every right,” he countered, his voice low but firm. “· I’m not going to sit back and let anything happen to Ava. Or to you.”
I felt my breath hitch, my chest heaving with the effort to contain my emotions. But I couldn’t. I wouldn’t. Stretching out my hand, I demanded, “Keys.”
Dominic frowned. “Raina, don’t do this.”
“Keys. Now.” My voice was cold, final.
He crossed his arms over his chest, shaking his head. “It’s a bad idea. It’s late, and Nathan could be watching. If he catches you-”
“I don’t care!” I snapped, cutting him off. My heart pounded so loudly I could barely hear my own words. “Give me the damn keys, Dominic!”
“You won’t even find her at Alex’s,” he shot back, frustration creeping into his voice. “He’s probably already flown her out.”
His words were a sucker punch to the gut. “Flown her out?” I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Yes,” Dominic confirmed, his tone softer now, almost apologetic. “I told him to get the kids out of town. Somewhere safe, where no one can find them. Not even you.”
“You had no right,” I whispered, tears burning my eyes as I clenched my fists.
Dominic’s
tightened. “I had every right,” he said through gritted teeth. “She’s my niece. And she’s Alex’s daughter, too.”
His words were like a slap to the face. “She’s my daughter,” I hissed, my voice trembling. “She needs to be here for the funeral.”
Dominic shook his head, his frustration boiling over. “Ava was exposed,” he pressed, his tone sharp. “You’re so focused on being angry at me that you’re not even considering the bigger picture. She could’ve been next, Raina. She needs to be safe first! You think I don’t care about the funeral? About Grandpa? But I can’t risk Ava’s safety—or Liam’s. You should be thanking me for acting fast, not throwing a tantrum!”
“Throwing a tantrum?” I repeated, my voice rising as tears spilled down my cheeks. “How dare you-
Dominic held up a hand, cutting me off. “Grow the fuck up! Raina,” he snapped. “This isn’t about your pride or your feelings anymore.” He shouted. “ This is about keeping Ava alive. Keeping Liam alive. Do you not see what’s happening? Grandpa was poisoned. Someone is targeting us, and I’m not going to sit back and wait for them to come after the kids too!”
