Page 106 of Merciless Obsession

His face stayed still. “You don’t believe that anymore?”

“No, I don’t. I’ve learned a lot over the past few months that cleared some things up for me.”

Dominic shifted his eyes to his son for a brief second then back to me. “You thought I was involved in a trafficking ring, I’m told.”

“Padre,” Ezra started.

Dominic said something in Spanish, silencing his son.

“I did. From what I’ve learned these men have ways of getting off and it seems the police are part of the problem. It wouldn’t have been shocking if a judge was too.”

Macy had come back with a tray of drinks and a charcuterie board. Dominic started speaking once she left.

“Nazai told me The Veil is behind everything.”

I nodded. “That’s what he says.”

“Do you believe it?”

“There’s nothing that suggests otherwise. They’re the only ones who make sense.”

Dominic stroked his chin. “The Veil has been a burden in this city for a long time. Even I couldn’t find proof to bring them down. Whenever someone gets close to bringing them to light they end up dead. Is that something you’re willing to risk?”

I could see how he made a name for himself in the justice system. Dominic was a no nonsense guy and direct with his words. He didn’t flinch when asking questions either.

“If it means avenging my sister’s death, then yes.”

“It won’t come to that,” Ezra cut in. I slid my eyes to him. “It’ll be over my dead body before I allow someone to harm what’s mine.”

“Hijo,” Dominic said.

“Ziora’s life will never be in danger as long as I’m living. The Veil might be powerful but so is The Bloodline.” The conviction in his voice caused my heart to beat rapidly against my ribcage.

“In all my years as a judge I’ve had two instances where The Veil was rumored to be involved. Each time those cases fell through. It won’t be easy to bring them down. They’re masters of staying hidden and nonexistent. Because they have other people doing their work for them, their hands are always clean and faces never shown. No one even knows how many are involved in the operation.”

“My sister was thirteen years old and innocent when she was taken and killed. If I have to uncover every single secret in this city to find them,I will, no matter who I have to expose in the process. I’m good at what I do, Dominic, and I’ve been working on this for a long time. The Veil might cause fear when they’re mentioned, but that’s not going to deter me from taking them down.”

Nora whistled. “Looks like Nazai isn’t the only one with his hands full,” she mentioned.

“That’s my Bumblebee.” Ezra gave me a crooked grin. “Now you see why I’m into her.”

“Mhm, yes. I’m starting to understand.”

Dominic suddenly stood up. “Ziora. We need to speak in private. Follow me to my office.” He didn’t wait for me to answer. He started across the room.

I glanced at Ezra. His eyes went to his dad and his jaw ticked. “It’s okay. I’ll be right out here.”

I glanced toward Nora who calmly sipped her drink. Dominic wanting to talk to me caught me off guard, but I was interested in what he had to say.

I stood and followed Dominic. On the way to his office, I admired the artwork on the walls. There were also a bunch ofphotos of the family. Some included all the kids, some of the family, others of them separate. They started from when the brothers were kids into adulthood. It was clear they were close.

Dominic stopped at the closed door and pushed it open, allowing me to go in first then closing it behind him. I looked around the office. Nicely organized, not even a book out of place on the shelves behind his desk and the adjacent wall.

Dominic walked to his desk and sat on the corner of it. He crossed his arms and peered into me.

“Do you understand what you’re getting into when it comes to my son?” he asked.

I thought he was going to talk more about The Veil but it appears I was wrong. “If you’re talking about what he does with his brothers then?—”