Chapter 196
The men nodded, immediately moving to carry out my orders.
I exhaled and turned to another guard. “Call the police. The more people we have on this, the better.”
He hesitated, as if wondering if this was the right move, but I shot him a look that left no room for argument. He nodded and stepped away to make the call.
It wasn’t long before flashing blue and red lights illuminated the driveway. I heard the rumble of car doors opening, heavy boots hitting the pavement, and then–him.
Detective Carter.
The same smug–faced bastard from when Faith had been arrested.
He strolled toward us with his usual air of arrogance, hands in his pockets, a slow smirk creeping onto his face. His eyes flickered over the scene, then
landed on Dominic.
“Surprised? Why am I not?” he drawled.
My fists clenched at my sides. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” I snapped, stepping forward.
Carter didn’t even bother to look up. Instead, he pulled out his notepad, flipping through the pages as if he were already bored with the conversation.
I narrowed my eyes. He seemed like one of those officers who had a personal grudge against the Grahams. Whether it be because of our money, influence, or just because they did not like how they ran their things, didn’t matter in the slightest now. What mattered was the very fact that Faith was gone, and this asshole was making me waste more time.
But Carter didn’t answer my query. He channeled all his attention now onto Dominic.
“Were there problems between you and your wife?” he wanted to know. His tone was measured and calculated.
Dominic stiffened upright beside me. His weariness was reflected in how his shoulders slumped, the way his eyes were red–rimmed, he stared blankly at
the detective.
“This was a stupid idea,” Dominic muttered under his breath. “I should have handled this without involving you people.” I sighed. I had expected as much. Dominic wasn’t one to take authority at face value, not after our last run–in with them, I didn’t blame him.
Carter raised an eyebrow. “Well, even if you hadn’t told us, we would have found out eventually. You know how these things work, Mr Graham.” He folded his arms across his chest. “Now, answer the question.”
Dominic’s jaw clenched. His hands curled into fists at his sides. I could feel his temper brewing.
Dominic was furious. I could see it in the way his hands curled into fists, the rigid set of his jaw, the way his nostrils flared with every breath. He was barely holding it together.
I knew he hated this -being questioned, being made to feel like he had no control. And with Carter’s smug face staring him down, it was only making things worse.
I moved in closer, lowering my voice. “Just cooperate, Dominic,” I whispered. “For Faith.”
His chest heaved once with a deep breath, his jaw working as he fought to keep his anger in check. He finally exhaled through his nose and turned back toward Carter.
“The girl from the hospital,” Dominic began, his voice tight, “she made us fight. Faith and I were trying to work through it, but she needed some space. She insisted on taking a walk.” His voice cracked slightly at the end, frustration barely contained. “That’s when she was taken. We already questioned
the witnesses.”
Carter barely responded, scribbling something in his notebook. “I’ll have to handle the questioning myself,” he said curtly. Then he lifted his head, his gaze clashing with Dominic’s with a flicker of challenge. “And you stay out of it.”
Something inside Dominic just snapped.
Dominic lunged, his fist connecting with Carter’s jaw so fast I barely had time to react. There was a sickening crack as the detective stumbled back, his hand flying to his face.
“I’ve had it with you,” Dominic growled, his voice raw with fury. His entire body shook with rage, his breathing coming in short, heavy bursts. “That’s my wife we’re talking about, you arrogant piece of shit. How the hell can you tell me to stay out of it?”
Carter’s hand trembled as he wiped the blood trickling from his mouth. His eyes darkened, his usual smug expression wiped clean. For a moment, he looked like he was about to retaliate.
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Chapter 196
I stepped in between them, shoving Dominic back before this got even worse.
“Enough,” I told him, holding onto his shoulders. “Not now. You need to calm down.”
+25 Bonus
Dominic shook with rage, his whole body coiled tight like a spring about to burst. But he didn’t attack me. He simply stood there, chest heaving, his fists
still balled at his sides.”
Carter straightened, working his jaw from side to side as he wiped his lip once more. “I should arrest you for assaulting an officer,” he snarled, baring
his teeth at Dominic.
I turned on him, voice cold. “Then leave,” I told him. “You’re just making this worse.”
Carter stood there a moment, eyes flashing back and forth between us, his pride wounded. Finally, though, he spun on his heel and stalked out, muttering under his breath as he went.
Tension still clung thick in the air, but I barely had time to process it before movement caught my eye.
No. No, no, no.
What the fuck?
Vanessa.
In the same car as Raina?.
My blood ran cold. My fists tightened at my sides.
What the hell was she doing here?
