Chapter 2 - The Bruised Wrist
Dominic’s piercing eyes narrowed as he studied the exhausted face of the infant in Lily’s arms. The cold, intimidating exterior of the ruthless crime boss completely melted away, replaced by an intense, overwhelming protective instinct.
Without a word, Dominic pulled the empty, velvet-lined chair beside him outward and gestured for the little girl to sit.
He caught the eye of Rosa, a gentle twenty-eight-year-old waitress wearing a soft sage-green blouse and a black waist apron. Rosa nodded instantly, rushing to the kitchen. Within sixty seconds, she returned with a fresh plate of warm roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, and a heated bottle of milk.
Lily remained frozen in absolute disbelief, staring at the feast. Little Noah let out a soft whimper, his tiny, weak hand reaching blindly toward the warm bread basket.
Carefully, Lily sat on the edge of the chair with Noah in her lap. She picked up the warm milk bottle and gently guided it to her brother’s lips. Then, she reached across the table for a piece of bread.
As she stretched her arm, the oversized sleeve of her burgundy cardigan slipped upward.
Dominic stopped breathing.
Circling Lily’s frail, pale wrist was a massive, dark purple bruise. It was the unmistakable mark of a grown man’s violent grip.
Dominic’s jaw tightened. He slowly reached toward her arm without actually touching her, his gray-blue eyes locking onto the injury.
“Who did that to you?” Dominic asked. His voice was suddenly very low, highly controlled, and incredibly dangerous.
Lily panicked. She instantly ripped her arm back, yanking her sleeve down and clutching Noah tighter against her chest. Her frightened eyes flicked frantically toward the glass entrance of the restaurant.
Dominic followed her gaze. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, a sleek black luxury sedan slowly pulled up to the curb.
All the color completely drained from Lily’s face. She grabbed Dominic’s tattooed forearm with both of her small hands.
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“That’s him…” Lily whispered, her voice cracking with sheer, unfiltered terror. “And he works for you.”
👉 Who is stepping out of the black sedan, and why is the little girl so terrified of him?
