Dom (Alliance #3)

Peeling the paper away, I ignore the ache in my elbow and bite down on my lip. Hard. Because the top edge of the bowl is chipped—a piece of the shiny paint missing, revealing a jagged half-moon of dullness.

My thumb rubs over the spot as a tear drips off my cheek and splashes onto the curved surface of the bowl.

This is only a moment.

I will be happy in another moment.

I try to do thethree rulething my therapist taught me.

I try to look for three things. I try to hear three things. I try to focus on three things in my body.

But all I see are the broken parts.

Because everything breaks on Christmas.

CHAPTER61

Val

“Angel.”Dominic’s soft voice touches me a moment before his hands land on the sides of my calves.

He’s crouched in front of me so we’re eye level.

I sniff before I look up at him. “Hi.”

Dom reaches up, brushing his thumb across my cheek. “What happened?”

“I got separated.” I sniff again.

“Don’t cry, Valentine.” He swipes another tear away.

I shift, and the stuff in my lap crinkles. “I broke the bowl.”

He looks down, noticing the dish I’m still holding.

“We’ll fix it.” Dom lifts his hands and settles them over mine so we’re holding the bowl together. But the position pushes my palms against the wood and causes me to wince.

Dominic jerks his hands back so fast it’s like I burned him.

“Sorry.” I apologize, even though I know I shouldn’t. But I don’t like making him feel bad.

He takes the bowl from my grip and sets it on the bench next to me. Then he gently grabs my wrists and turns my hands palm up, revealing the angry scrapes and the couple spots of blood.

“Who did this?” Dominic’s voice is so level. It sounds so controlled.

But I don’t think it is.

“No one.”

“Valentine.” He lets go of one hand to grip my chin, forcing me to look at him. “Who touched you?”

I try to shake my head, but I can’t with his hold on me. “It wasn’t—”

Dominic leans in closer to me, and his eyes reveal the fakeness of his calm exterior. “If someone hurts you, I will kill them. Do not attempt to stop me.”

His words lace up around me, tightening and forcing away the last of my lingering panic.

“I fell,” I whisper.