Page 147 of The Obsession
Our eyes are locked, and although I’ve seen him smile before, nothing could have prepared me for the one he’s sporting as I approach. It starts restrained, like he’s fighting it and losing, before softening into something real and unguarded.
His throat bobs when I’m close enough for him to grasp hold of my hand.
“You look breathtaking,mia tortina.”
As we exchange vows, I realise I’ve somehow made it past every wall he’s ever built without even noticing. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with this beautiful, fractured man.
Two hours later, after a tearful goodbye to my mother and our friends, we’re back on the road.
Lucia offered to take Peach with them and give us some alone time for a few days, but that little girl is a part of us, and we both want her here.
Dominic has booked us into a beachside cabin in a remote, tranquil coastal town on the eastern edge of the Nullarbor Plain, called Fowlers Bay.
He says it’s known for its exceptional fishing, whale watching and immense white sand dunes.
It sounds beautiful, like so many other places we’ve stopped at on our epic journey around Australia. Truth be told, I don’t care where we end up, as long as we’re together.
“Did you notice how my father-in-law wouldn’t even look in my direction?” I ask.
“Hmm,” he hums.
“Did you say something to him?”
His eyes briefly leave the road, flicking to me. “Today? No.”
His answer gives me pause. “What do you mean by ‘today’? Did you say something to him when we visited them on the Gold Coast?”
“Does it matter if I did? That fucker has no right to put his hands on you.”
“Oh, my God. Please tell me you had nothing to do with his broken hand.”
He casually lifts one shoulder. “I shook his hand, Em, it’s not my fault he has brittle bones. For some men, when you reach a certain age, you’re basically held together by optimism and joint supplements.”
I sit back in my seat and bite down on my bottom lip in an attempt to suppress my laugh.
He doesn’t even try to pretend. He’s protective without question, in a way that squeezes my heart. I never have to wonder if I’m safe with him; I just am. And for someone who’s come from where I did, that is everything.
Chapter 49
Dominic
We’re nearing the final leg of our trip, currently heading along the Great Ocean Road—a two hundred and forty three kilometre scenic route winding along the south-west coast of Victoria.
Emily has been my wife for an entire month now, and as much as I hate for this road trip to end, it’s time to wrap it up and go home. Being on the road full-time isn’t the place for her while she’s pregnant, no matter how much she tries to convince me otherwise.
There’s nothing better than travelling the open road with my girls, but I’m not taking risks with her or our baby.
We’re keeping the RV, so there’ll be other adventures in our future. Besides, we’ve got the Christening of Dante and Arabella’s newborn son, Matteo, in three weeks. Life doesn’t pause just because I want it to, and I’ve been lucky to have this much time away from work.
My phone rings, cutting through the silence, and when I glance at the caller ID flashing on the screen, my stomach churns.
“Mary,” I say, accepting the call.
“Dominic. How are you?”
“Good. How are you?”
“Are you still travelling?”
