She stopped and turned toward Dominic, then stood and went to him. She poked a finger into his chest.

“Did you order the fucking shooting? Did you order them to kill Luke?”

“You’re starting to bore me. What happened to my vengeful little bitch?”

“Fuck you, Dominic.”

“Fuck you, Isabella.” He took her glass and finished it before slamming it down on the coffee table. “You may be over it, but I’m not. No way I’m standing by and letting my father hand everything over to my half-wit brother. No. Fucking. Way.”

The door flew open right then, and Salvatore burst in, his face a mask of fury as he slammed Dominic against the closest wall, his forearm crushing his neck. “How the fuck did you get in here?”

Dominic shoved him back and chuckled. “Check inside the house before you plant guards outside it, dumbass.”

“Mommy?”

Effie’s voice had all of us turning toward the stairs. The fighting had woken her up. She stood there, clutching her teddy bear and watching us.

“Honey!” Isabella ran up to her and took her in her arms. “Uncle Luke is going to be okay, baby!”

“He is?”

“He is.”

“I’m so glad. Can we go see him?”

“He’s still sleeping, but soon. I’ll take you to him, and you can give him all those cookies you made.”

“They’re delicious, Effie,” Dominic yelled up.

Salvatore’s stood at Dominic’s side, hands fisted.

“Thanks, Dominic.”

Effie’s relaxed familiarity with Dominic surprised me and, when I glanced at Salvatore, I saw that it surprised him as well.

“It’s late,” Isabella said over her shoulder. “Go home.” She turned and walked up the stairs with Effie.

“Why was everyone yelling?” I heard Effie asking her mom as their voices disappeared down the hall. I didn’t hear my sister’s answer.

“Well, she always was good at dismissing anyone she had no use for,” Dominic bit out.

“Fuck you. Dad’s looking for you. Go home.”

“You go home. And take your pretty little plaything with you before I decide to have a taste myself. Her sister was pretty good.”

Salvatore reared up to punch him, but I grabbed his arm. “He’s not worth it, Salvatore.”

“Get out.” Salvatore didn’t look at me, but stood nose to nose with his brother.

“I wasn’t planning on staying.”

It was a moment before he walked out the front door.

Salvatore turned to me and took me into his arms.

“Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”

“I’m fine. He didn’t do anything to me.”

“He was right. I should have checked the house.”

Salvatore stepped back and looked me over as if he wanted to see with his own eyes that Dominic hadn’t hurt me.

“Stop. Nothing happened. And everything is out in the open now.”

His eyes searched mine, and I touched his face with my hand.