Page 136 of Wicked Truths
36
Amara
I watch Dom tossback his second drink, his eyes flicking between Caleb and me. The tension in the room is suffocating. And my heart hammers against my ribs as I try to figure out what to say.
“I don’t think you’d kill her,” Caleb says, breaking the silence, but by the look on his face, I doubt he truly believes that.
Dom slams his glass down. “I fucking didn’t kill her. I just paid her five million dollars to go away.”
Caleb blows out a breath, his shoulders dropping slightly. “But that’s a convenient alibi.”
“No, my alibi is iron tight. I was with Amara most of the day and I was checking on Rafe later that day,” Dom says, his voice like gravel.
I glance at Caleb, and he looks back at me.
Dom’s eyes narrow as he notices our exchange. “What’s going on here?” He gestures between us, his knuckles white around his glass.
“We’re together.” I straighten my spine, gathering my courage. “And if I can’t have Caleb, then you can’t have me.”
Dom’s eyebrows shoot up. “Are you threatening me?”
“No,” I say, stepping closer to Caleb. “I’m leaving here, if I can’t have him.”
Dom’s jaw tightens. He sets down his glass and walks toward me, his movements controlled but dangerous. “You’re not going anywhere now that you’re pregnant with my baby.”
I shake my head quickly, reaching for Caleb’s hand. “I need you both.” I look between them, desperate for them to understand. “We don’t all need to live together, but…” I turn to Dom, eyes pleading. I’m ready to beg him now. I don’t want to lose him either. “But Caleb is soft where you are hard. He’s gentle...”
“I can be gentle,” Dom interrupts, his voice softer than I expected.
I walk to Dom and touch his face, the roughness of his stubble scratching against my palm. “I don’t want you to change. I want you to be you. I love the man you are. I love that you’re bossy and dominating. I love you look after me, but I love Caleb knows when I need to be held.”
Dom swallows hard, his piercing blue eyes searching mine. “You love me?”
I suck in a breath, suddenly realizing what I’ve admitted. “I know you don’t do ‘I love you.’ Hell, you don’t even like sleeping with anyone—you’re so cold. But I wantyou and I know you don’t feel the same way because you can’t. It’s fine. Because Caleb can give me that.”
Dom’s gaze shifts to Caleb, something unreadable passing between them.
“And I told you I was ready to share,” Dom says quietly.
“Did you?” I stand frozen between the two men, my heart pounding so hard I can barely hear my own thoughts. Caleb’s face has gone pale, his eyes wide with shock at Dom’s revelation.
“So, I won't end up at the bottom of Brisbane River with concrete boots on?” Caleb asks, attempting humor, but his voice trembles slightly.
Dom shrugs, his massive shoulders rising and falling. “I’m going clean.”
Caleb chuckles nervously, running a hand through his light brown hair. “I’ll still watch my back.”
“I’m being honest,” Dom says, his voice uncharacteristically vulnerable. He looks at me, those bright azure eyes filled with something I’ve never seen before. Then he turns to Caleb. “I know I’m too old for her. One day she’ll look at me with disgust.”
“No!” I step toward him, appalled. “That won’t happen. I’ll get older too.”
Dom stops me with a gentle touch to my cheek. “Just love me and Caleb for as long as you can. And then I’ll step back and allow you and Caleb to be together.”
Tears spring to my eyes, blurring my vision. I shake my head fiercely. “Don’t—”
Dom presses his finger over my lips. “Please, piccola, just promise me to be honest the day you no longer want me. I’ll be able to cope with you not touching me as long as I see you every day.”
The tears spill over, tracking hot down my face. I try to speak, but my throat feels swollen shut. All I can do is nod.
