Page 48 of Claimed By the Enemy

“I was trying to find out who was behind them.” Dom runs a hand through his hair, careful of his injuries. “I went to see Giuseppe Caruso today. One of my father’s old associates. I thought he might have answers.”

“Did he?”

“He had warnings. And questions. And suggestions that I should ask my uncle what really happened the night my parents died.”

“Your uncle?”

“Riccardo. My father’s brother. The man who raised me after…” He trails off, looking away. “After your father killed my parents.”

The words are so shocking, I can barely process them.

“What? That’s… That’s not what happened,” I say automatically. “My parents were the ones who were killed.”

“Nope,” Dom interrupts quietly. “At least that’s what my uncle told me growing up, just like yours told you. Only I wasn’t as vengeful as you were. I figured you weren’t responsible for your father’s crimes.”

“But that means…”

“That means we’ve been lied to. Because Sophie, if my father killed your parents and your father killed mine, and they’re both dead anyway…” He trails off, the impossibility of it sinking in.

“They wanted our families to hate each other.”

“They succeeded. Until now.”

We stare at each other across the darkness, both of us seeing the same truth at the same time. We’ve been enemies based onstories we were told as children. Stories that might not even be true.

“If you knew this, then why did you marry me?” I ask.

“Because someone wants you dead, Sophie. The letters weren’t just about me. They were about both of us. About finishing what they else started.” Dom stands up, moving closer. “I married you to protect you.”

“But you thought my family killed yours.”

“I thought a lot of things. I thought I could control the situation. Control you. Keep my enemies close and all that.” He’s close enough now that I can see the bruises on his face, the butterfly bandages holding his cuts closed. “What I didn’t expect was to start caring about you.”

“Caring about me?”

“When I got that phone call today that you were in danger, I nearly lost my mind. All I could think about was getting home to you. Making sure you were safe.” His hand comes up to cup my cheek. “I’ve never felt fear like that before.”

“Dom…”

“I know this is complicated. I know we both have reasons to hate each other’s families. But Sophie, I can’t pretend anymore that this marriage is just business.”

I close my eyes, leaning into his touch despite everything my rational mind is telling me.

I open my eyes, looking at this man who married his enemy to keep her safe.

Who took a beating today because he was trying to find answers. Who’s been carrying the weight of keeping both of us alive without asking for help?

Instead of saying anything else, I kiss him. Soft and careful, mindful of his injuries but unable to resist any longer. He tastes like copper and antiseptic.

Dom pulls back after a moment. “Sophie, stop.”

“Why?”

“You’re emotional, and I’m hurt. This isn’t the right time.”

“When is the right time, Dom? When we’re not fighting? When we’re not lying to each other? When someone’s not trying to kill us?” I frame his face with my hands. You know that may never happen.”

“Sophie-”