Page 71 of Dangerous Intent

“He’s frustrated and concerned about you. I told him you lost your phone in the blast.”

“He didn’t want to talk to me?” I asked. Dom could have given me his phone so Marchello could have heard my voice and known that I was alright.

“I think he needs the car ride to settle down. I’ve never heard him so distraught.”

“Oh.” I shook my head. “His mother…”

“That’s why this is so fucked up. Whoever is responsible for this knows the history.”

“That doesn’t really narrow it down, does it?”

“No.” Dom ran his hand along his jaw as he gazed out at the smoldering SUV. “This is bad.”

“I got this for you.” I held up the cloth. “Can I clean up your head?”

“I should be tending to you.” He handed me my phone. “I found this by the bushes.”

“Thank you.” I took it from him and pushed it into my pocket.

“You don’t have to.” He pointed at the cloth. “I can do it.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” I swiped the washcloth over the open cut on his forehead. “You look after me all the time. I want to return the favor.”

“You don’t have to fuss over me.” He backed up a bit. “I should get you inside.”

“Please let me do this,” I said. “It will make me feel useful.”

He didn’t resist when I wiped the oozing blood from his head. Dirt surrounded the cut, and I did my best to clean it up.

“Are the others okay?” I asked.

“Yeah.” He nodded. “No one saw anything, though.”

“Does anyone ever?” The men in this business were professionally trained not to get caught. If they did, they would end up dead.

“I’m sorry this happened.”

“It isn’t your fault.” I flipped the cloth over and pressed it to the cut that still bled on his forehead. “You did everything you could to protect me.”

“I feel responsible.”

“I can assure you that you are not responsible, but the person who planted that device is going to be sorry they did that.” I gazed out at the car. “When do you think they did it? We drove here and we were fine.”

“It could have been on a timer.” He shrugged. “Maybe it was planted when I waited for Angelo to leave your father’s study. There could be several scenarios.”

“I’m really glad you weren’t seriously hurt, but I am sorry this happened to you.”

“You don’t need to apologize.” The brief smile that crossed his lips took me by surprise. I’d never seen him do that before. “It’s all part of my job.”

“Maybe you should find a new line of work.”

“Are you kidding? And pass up the opportunity to see you every day?”

“Dom? Am I growing on you?”

“Let’s just say I’m really happy nothing happened to you.”

“Thank you for taking such good care of me. I’m going to let your boss know how wonderful you are.” I smirked. “I happen to have plenty of sway with him.”