Chapter 7 - THE WEDDING INVITATION
Dominic publicly announced that the wedding would proceed.
The news shocked Layla.
She watched the announcement from a guarded bedroom at Isabella’s estate.
Dominic stood beside Vivienne before dozens of cameras.
His hand rested lightly against her back.
Vivienne smiled as though nothing had happened.
Layla switched off the television.
When Dominic arrived that evening, she was waiting in the library.
“You are marrying her.”
“It is part of the plan.”
“You did not tell me.”
“The fewer people who know, the safer they are.”
“I am not one of your employees.”
“No.”
“Then stop treating me like one.”
Dominic closed the door.
“The Cross family believes the wedding will bring their enemies into one room.”
“And it will.”
“They plan to kill me there.”
Layla felt the twins move.
“You are walking into your own funeral.”
“I am giving them the opportunity to expose themselves.”
“What happens if you are wrong?”
“I die.”
She slapped him.
The sound echoed through the room.
Dominic did not react.
Layla’s hand trembled.
“You do not get to say that calmly.”
“Why?”
“Because your children already know your voice.”
The words stopped him.
During the past week, Dominic had sat beside her bed and spoken to the twins.
He read financial reports aloud because he claimed he did not know children’s stories.
Every time he spoke, one baby kicked.
Layla hated how much that affected her.
Dominic stepped closer.
“I have spent my life believing fear kept people loyal.”
“It does not.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
He looked at her swollen stomach.
“I fired you because I believed weakness was dangerous.”
“And now?”
“Now I understand that cruelty is weakness wearing an expensive suit.”
Layla’s anger softened.
Dominic touched her cheek.
He did not kiss her.
He waited.
She closed the distance.
For one moment, the danger outside disappeared.
Then a security alarm sounded.
Vincent entered with blood on his collar.
“The estate has been breached.”
Dominic drew his gun.
“Where?”
“The east gate.”
A second guard rushed in.
“They did not come for Layla.”
Dominic looked toward the hallway.
“Then why are they here?”
The guard held up an empty infant carrier.
May you like
A note had been placed inside.
At the wedding, choose the maid or the children.
