Page 67 of She Belongs to Me

Domino stumbled backward because of the force, almost falling on his face. When he managed to rise to his full height, he was holding his jaw. His stare wasn’t filled with anger or the longing to strike back.

It was filled with sadness.

“I am going to check on her, Nico, if for no other reason that to try and protect this family at a time when you can’t seem to do so. Whatever I find you’ll need to deal with, or I will.”

His threat was riddled with anger, but also truth.

But that didn’t mean I didn’t want to kill him.

There were no other words to be said. He simply walked out, slamming the door behind him.

I was rattled, more so than I’d been my entire fucking life. I hadn’t been prepared to face the reality of my guilt. Not now. Not ever.

Every image of the beautiful day in the church rushed into my mind so clearly it was as if I was there. The words the priest was saying, the joy in Gregory’s eyes as he looked down at his baby girl. And the moment when he took a step forward, handing me the child. He’d moved directly in my path and that of the window where the shot had come from.

My brother was right, but it wasn’t something I hadn’t already determined. That made taking Alexandra into my life doable for now.

However, there was no chance I could take her into my heart.

None.

CHAPTER 20

Alexandra

It was good to be a billionaire. I could see that now.

I’d gotten brave after studying for two hours, opening one of the tests. It was like I was a first year, not third, in the length and depth of the questions being asked. I’d checked three times to make certain the wrong one hadn’t been sent.

It hadn’t been.

Nico’s donation had encouraged at least this instructor to go easy on me. Not just this one. The second and third had too and I’d breezed through those tests without studying. It was ridiculous and I was ready to contact my professors and tell them to give me the real tests.

But honestly? I wasn’t certain my mind could process the more complicated information.

I pushed away my laptop, sitting back in my chair as I tried to shut down my brain. One last exam and I’d be finished. I just couldn’t do it today. There was too much else crowding my brain.

I’d enjoyed the time spent with Isabella and while she hadn’t directly made fun of the clothes I’d purchased, I could tell she was calculating what she could purchase to go with the rather mundane clothing.

At least the items were neatly placed in my closet or in the dresser. My eyes were tired, stinging from staring at a screen and the second bottle of water was almost gone. I hadn’t paid any attention to what time it was.

Close to four.

For me, quitting time.

I’d changed into shorts and a tank top. It was a little chilly outside, but I’d kept my door closed so I could study without interruption. No one had bothered me, including Nico. That had shocked me. I had gone out to the balcony once, noticing men crawling over the backyard and recreational facilities. They were installing additional cameras and what appeared to be sound equipment.

That just continued to boost how nervous Nico was about the guy he called the Greek. Later, I would spend some additional time on the internet searching for anything that might prove to be helpful, although I was certain his state-of-the-art systems could provide everything he needed to learn about the leader who’d terrorized me.

My thoughts drifted to the condo fire and my aunt again, but I just couldn’t go down that road. I’d demand an update on my aunt and maybe a phone call. That would help soothe my anxiety.

Maybe.

I stood and my legs instantly developed a cramp from curling them under me on the hardback chair. I certainly wasn’t a teenager any longer.

Boom!

The shock of the loud sound brought a slight scream up from my throat. It took me a second to realize the sound had come from someone kicking in the door. Before I had a chance to react defensively, I was whisked off my feet, pushed hard against the wall next to the French doors.