Page 35 of Dom 3

“Morning, Ms. Valerie,” the one by the door said, in a deep respectful voice. He was the driver.

“Morning,” I replied, sliding inside the truck. The leather hugged me, cool and soft. My purse sat on my lap, and I crossed my legs, watching the skyline melt by through tinted glass. All I had to do was let Dom know that I was staying but when I called, I couldn’t get him on the line. When he was busy, he didn’t usually answer but he was good about calling back.

We were halfway to Bal Harbor when something happened. All three of their phones made a noise at once and it was that same encrypted tone that only Dom’s people used. I glanced up looking around. They all froze for a second, with their eyes shooting down to their screens. I noticed my phone stayed silent which meant nothing was sent to me.

“What’s going on?” I asked, calm but curious.

The one in the passenger seat grinned a little. Ignoring me but talking to them. “Oh shit,” he said, scrolling. “Boss got a heir on the way.”

The driver laughed a low one. “Shit about to get real.”

The guy next to me spoke, with an expressionless look on his face. “Carmen Royal’s pregnant. Means double eyes everywhere now. That baby has to be protected at all costs.”

I felt something snap inside me as I turned my head toward the window, staring out like the view was the only thing thatmattered. My nails pressed so hard into the soft leather seat until my fingertips hurt. Of course she was pregnant… she was always in the way.

I kept my face expressionless, with my lips slightly curved like I hadn’t heard them at all, but inside I was boiling. I had betrayed my uncle, risked my life, and stood against the man who raised me all for Dom. I’d cleaned up his messes, lied to my blood, burned my bridges, and he’d never even looked at me the way he looked at her.

Carmen had the world handed to her. She had the power, the name, the ring and now, the heir. I swallowed hard, blinking to stop the tears before they could start falling. No one in that truck would see me break. By the time we reached the plaza, I was stone faced again. They were here to protect of course, but they were here to watch me more than anything just so they could report my every move until trust was gained.

The truck stopped in front of the luxury shopping center with marble and glass reflecting off the morning light. “I’ll be here,” the driver said to the other two.

I nodded, putting on a soft smile. “We won’t be long.” I assured him with a fake smile.

Inside, the store was filled with soft music and the smell of new leather. The gold racks lined the walls, with silk dresses on expensive hangers, while sales associates smiled too big, ready to make a sale. I walked straight past them to the restroom telling Dom’s people I’d be right out. My heels were tapping against the floor like they were trying to make a statement. Once the door clicked shut behind me, I exhaled and leaned against the sink. My reflection looked flawless, but my pulse was racing. He had a child on the way. Carmen was going to have his baby. That realization settled and it was final. He would never love me or see me. I was just another pawn in his world who he didn’t care about.

I reached into my purse and pulled out the phone Dom gave me I stared at it, then set it down gently on the counter. That phone wasn’t mine; it was his, but I didn’t care. Right now, it was my last link to home. I hit the contact marked only with an M for Marisol.

The line rang one time before Marisol’s voice came through, sounding calm but sharp. “Victoria, I was starting to wonder when you’d call.” Her tone told me everything I needed to know.

“I’ve been thinking,” I said softly, staring into my own eyes in the mirror. “About everything.” I confessed. Marisol stayed silent, patiently waiting, allowing me to speak. “I’m coming home,” I finally informed her. “I made my choice. Miami isn’t my place anymore. I’m taking what’s mine, Marisol. If El Blanca left it to me, then I’m claiming it, all of it.”

Her voice softened, sounding proud and ready. “Are you ready to be what he raised you to be?”

I swallowed hard, forcing the emotion back down. “I was born ready. I’m coming to sit on my throne.”

There was a small pause, then she told me, “Then come, Reina. The family will be waiting.”

I hung up before the ache in my chest could turn into tears again. My hand trembled before I finally got them steadied. I looked at myself in the mirror again. I was Victoria, not Valerie. I was the woman who’d lived through fire and came out made of diamonds. I straightened my blouse, fixed my hair, and whispered to my own reflection, “They took my blood, now I take their peace.” When I walked out, Dom’s people were still posted near the door, unaware that everything had just taken place.

“Ready?” one asked with a hard look on his face.

I slid on my sunglasses. “Yeah, we can go. I won’t be needing anything right now, something came up.”

The Miami heat kissed my skin like it was going to miss me as I stepped back into the sunlight, but I didn’t react. The windcoming off the bay had that famous salt stench to it that I had grown to love but it was over for me now. Either way, I was done playing small.

To Be Continued…