Gripping her arm, he pulled her to a stop. “Deidre, he would fucking die for you. Don’t let this stupid bitch ruin this. I see the way he looks at you, and I know he’s fucking gone. Handed in his man-card, fallen harder than the motherfucking Roman Empire.” By the end of his little speech, he had a triumphant smile on his face.
Logically, she knew she shouldn’t be upset about anything Brooke had to say. Emotionally, though? She was nearly destroyed at the thought of Dominic having feelings of any kind for her. They had a child together, so how could he not feel something?
“Tell me something, Casey.”
“Shoot.”
“Did he love her?” She was terrified of the answer. Do you really want to know?
“Honestly?” She nodded. “I have no idea. I was in a bad place of my own. We hadn’t spoken in longer than I care to admit. My gut says no; he was not an open man. He wouldn’t have let just anyone in. Not like he has with you.”
His honesty was refreshing and dreadful all at once. She hoped that what Dom felt for her was as consuming as what she felt for him, but how could she know. She’d never felt anything like it before. This was unchartered territory for her. The one thing she did know, though, was that she would fight with everything she had for him and Jaxson.
“Roman Empire, huh?”
“Hey, still waters run deep, lady. I’m not just another pretty face.” She laughed at the hurt look on his face just as his phone rang.
“Wanna bet that’s bossman?” He half-joked as he picked up his cell. “Yo, bossman.”
She didn’t hear anything Dom said, but from the paling of Casey’s face, she didn’t think it was good.
“That’s low man,” he grumbled, listening to something else Dom said before responding. “Well, the princess here demanded a field trip. Was I supposed to play the big bad bodyguard and tell her no?” She could hear the humor return to his voice now. “Next time you should be more clear with your tyrannical tactics then, and maybe let her in on the show. That way she can’t manipulate me.”
Handing her the phone, he mouthed “good luck” before finishing their produce exploration with Jax.
Taking a deep breath, she hesitantly answered. “Dominic?”
“Princess,” he growled angrily. “What are you doing?”
“Uhh, shopping?”
“That an answer or a question, Deidre?” Full name…shit.
“Both?” Dom didn’t scare her, not really, but she couldn’t see his eyes. They always told her the mood he was in.
“Deidre,” he growled again. “Why did you leave the house? You aren’t supposed to be out of bed yet.” Anger. Yup, he was really pissed. Great.
“I feel fine, Dominic. I was going stir crazy and Casey had your son eating an MRE! He’s three. He cannot eat those things.” She’d try a different tactic, play on his parental side.
“He eats them all the time.” Or not.
Sighing into the phone, she whispered, “You weren’t there. Where are you?”
“Miss me?” His voice softened.
“Yes.”
“I’ll be home soon; I promise. I had some things to take care of.”
“That
’s not vague or anything,” she grumbled, feeling her temper rise. Not feeling in the right frame of mind after her encounter with Brooke to deal with his vague answers.
“What’s going on, Deidre?” He had an edge to his voice she’d only ever heard him use with other people when he was getting frustrated. Normally, the strength and command in it had her ready to melt in a pool at his feet. Right then, she wanted to bash him in the head.
“I met Brooke,” was all she told him before handing the phone back to Casey as she took the cart from him and went to the checkout.
She could hear Dom’s voice yelling at him as she and Jax unloaded their groceries onto the belt. Looking up at Casey quickly, he was shooting dirty looks her way while still being hollered at. Shrugging her shoulders, she continued with her task.