How could he stay away from her? If I had a child, could I stay away from her? Walk out of her life? He loved her. I knew it from the way he talked about her. But it was his punishment, his self-flagellation. And it made perfect sense. Dominic hated himself for what he’d done. Hated himself for who he was, and more importantly, who he was not.

I tucked the photograph back into its envelope and went into the closet to find him a suit. I figured Salvatore’s clothes were likely still there like Lucia’s had been, and I was right. I wondered why he’d left in such a hurry. I’d have to ask him.

I realized he’d asked me where we were. He didn’t know we were at his house? Well, Dominic had said it was his house now. I wanted to meet Salvatore, wanted to see the dynamic within the family. I wondered if Salvatore would recognize the suit I chose for Dominic. I grabbed Dominic’s toiletries, finished packing his bag, and went downstairs to wait for him to return, knowing what I’d do while he was gone.

He’d left his laptop in the study, and the little flash drive I recognized as the one he’d used to copy Mateo’s file stuck out of one of the ports. I sat behind the desk and listened, steeling myself, telling myself it would be over soon. That I’d have my revenge soon.

Darkness had fallen when a car door slamming shut startled me awake. I lifted my head up off the desk and looked around, confused for a moment before remembering. I looked at the time on Dominic’s phone. A little after two in the morning.

I ejected the flash drive from the computer and tucked it into my pocket then walked out into the foyer. Dominic stood just inside the door, his eyes looking as though he were a million miles away.

“Hey. You okay?” I asked.

“Why are you still up?”

“I was waiting for you. Thought you might need someone.”

He seemed confused by my answer.

Shadows darkened his eyes, and his hair looked as though he’d been running his hands through it for the last few hours. “You don’t look so good.”

“What are those?”

His gaze fell on the bags I’d packed and set at the bottom of the stairs.

“I figured we’d need clothes for the funeral.” I stood anxiously awaiting his response.

He studied me. “You can’t go.”

“You can’t stop me.”

“Scava will be there. Not to mention others who may be involved.”

“I’m not hiding. I already told you that. I’m going to use this as my debut.”

“A funeral for a debut.” He chuckled, shaking his head. “You are one twisted girl.”