Chapter Thirty-Eight

 

Dominic

 

One Week Later

 

It was our last day in New York. The pit had been closed down and completely gutted, but the hotel would always remain mine. Faith’s firm she shared with Philip had been sold to a reputable lawyer and his partner; it was in good hands now.

Marco and Marjory stopped by earlier to tell me goodbye. Now that they were staying in the city it put my mind at ease and made me feel more confident about our next steps.

“Dominic?” Faith called. She opened up my study door, holding a glass of Francis’ chocolate mousse. It was his last day on the job and he made sure to make plenty of mousse for her. She had a cooler full of it to take on the jet tomorrow morning.

Faith smiled at me and I smiled back. Things between us have grown stronger. There were no more lies. “Yes?” I asked her.

She nodded toward the living room. “Isaiah and Reed are here to see you. Want me to send Isaiah back first?”

“Please,” I said. She disappeared back down the hall and I pulled out Isaiah’s check from my desk drawer. Micah and Connor had come earlier and I’d given them hefty checks as well. They deserved it after everything they did for me. Isaiah walked in and shut the door behind him. I held out my hand and he shook it.

“Looking much better,” he noticed.

I laughed. “Thanks. I feel it too.”

“I see you got everything packed up and ready to go,” he said, pointing to the door.

“Yep. Have you figured out what you’re going to do now?”

He shook his head. “Not yet. I’m thinking of heading south, maybe to North Carolina.”

Picking up the check, I handed it to him. “You can always come to Wyoming. I could use a friend out there.”

Eyes wide, Isaiah looked at the check; it was for five million dollars. “I can’t take this. It’s too much.”

He tried to hand it back, but I refused to take it. “You earned it, Isaiah. Thank you for being loyal to my family. I hope you find your way.”

Isaiah smiled and that wasn’t often. “You too. I might find my way to Wyoming one day. Don’t know yet. If I do, I’ll give you a call.”

I walked around the desk and hugged him. “Take care of yourself and keep in touch.”

It was going to be strange not having him around. Isaiah had been more than just a bodyguard. I considered him family. He walked out the door and I watched him say goodbye to Faith before leaving for good.

“I’m coming now,” Reed called out, appearing in the hallway. I stepped out of the way so he could come inside my study. He picked up the glass paperweight on my desk and looked at it. “Thought I’d stop by and give you the good news.”

“What is it?”

A big smile spread across his face. “Luca doesn’t know, but I put in a good word with him. If he passes the tests, he’ll be sent to Virginia for FBI training.”

That was some of the best news I’d heard all day. “Thanks, Reed. I was worried about him.” I didn’t want to leave New York without knowing my family was settled.

Reed shrugged. “He’ll get in. He’d be a good candidate for the Circle of Justice.”

That he would. I extended my hand and Reed stared at it. “I owe you my life, Chandler. I know we bumped heads a few times, but I’m hoping that’s all in the past?”

His grin widened and he shook my hand. “Of course. We’re about to be neighbors. You’ll be seeing a lot of me.”

“Aww … how sweet,” Faith gushed, appearing the doorway. “My best guy friend and my boyfriend are finally going to be friends.”

Reed snorted. “Doesn’t mean I won’t kick his ass if he screws you over.”

“I’d like to see you try, Chandler.”

He chuckled and hugged Faith. “See you guys tomorrow. Layla’s having a big party in your honor.”

She squealed. “Can’t wait.”

Once he was gone, I followed Faith into the living room and pulled her onto the couch with me. She laid her head in my lap and looked up at me. “We’re all set at Ian and Grace’s hotel tomorrow. They’re letting us stay there as long as we want.”

“Sounds good,” I said, brushing her hair back. “We’ll find us a home soon.”

She shrugged and sat up. “I know. Once we get settled, I’m going to find me a place to start a restaurant. When I do, I’m gonna call Francis. I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse.”

I pulled her onto my lap. “You do that.” We stared at each other for a moment, and even though we hadn’t been together long, I knew she was what I wanted for the rest of my life.

Her eyes narrowed. “What’s on your mind, Dominic?”

“You,” I murmured. “When we get to Wyoming and find a house, I was curious to know what the next step should be.”

She beamed, but I could see the twinkle in her eyes. “Well … we could always get a horse or two?”

“We could,” I agreed, playing along with her. “Maybe even some goats and chickens?”

“Yes,” she squealed.

I brushed a finger across her lips. “What about kids?”

She looked away and smiled. “Kids would be good. I’d love to have a husband first though.” Her eyes met mine. “Think you know someone up for the job?”

Holding her tight against me, I kissed her. “I think I do.”

“Good,” she murmured, kissing me back. “I’ll be waiting for him.”