Chapter 4 - THE MAN DOMINIC TRUSTED MOST
Mateo Reyes had protected Dominic Castile for fifteen years.
He had taken a bullet for him twice.
He had buried friends beside him.
He knew the codes to Dominic’s house, the schedules of his drivers, the locations of every safe room, and exactly where Norah slept when she stayed overnight.
So when Gavin Pierce whispered his name, Dominic did not believe him.
Not immediately.
Pierce died thirty seconds later.
The second bullet had torn through his heart.
The shooter escaped.
And suddenly the only man who could explain Julian Castile was gone.
Back at the mansion, Dominic locked the doors to his study.
Norah stood near the fireplace.
Mateo remained outside.
“You believe Pierce?” Dominic asked.
“I believe dying men sometimes tell the truth.”
“He hated me.”
“He was also terrified.”
“Of Mateo?”
“Maybe.”
Dominic poured whiskey.
Norah took the glass from his hand before he could drink.
“You haven’t eaten.”
He stared at her.
“You were kidnapped and shot at today, and you’re criticizing my dinner habits?”
“Yes.”
He took the glass back.
She took it again.
“Norah.”
“Dominic.”
His mouth twitched.
Then the moment disappeared.
“You don’t know Mateo.”
“Then tell me.”
“He was twenty-one when my father hired him.”
“For what?”
“Security.”
“That young?”
“He was good.”
“Too good?”
Dominic looked at her.
Norah continued.
“Pierce said Julian wants to save you from Mateo. Maybe Mateo isn’t who you think.”
Dominic shook his head.
“Mateo has had a thousand chances to kill me.”
“Maybe killing you isn’t what he wants.”
That landed harder.
Dominic walked toward the window.
“What are you suggesting?”
“That we look before we accuse.”
He turned.
“We?”
“You think I’m leaving?”
“Yes.”
“No.”
“Norah.”
“You dragged me into this when you gave me a key to your house and started showing up at my gallery openings pretending you cared about paintings.”
“I do care about paintings.”
“You called Monet ‘the blurry water guy.’”
“He was.”
She almost smiled.
Then Dominic’s phone vibrated.
Unknown number.
A message.
IF MATEO IS STILL IN YOUR HOUSE, DO NOT LET HIM SEE THE PHOTO.
Norah’s stomach tightened.
Another message arrived.
A location pin.
Then a photograph.
It showed Elena alive.
Not eighteen years ago.
Three months ago.
Dominic stared.
“This is impossible.”
Norah looked closer.
The woman was older.
Silver in her hair.
Same green eyes.
Same small scar above the eyebrow visible in the old family photograph.
“That’s her.”
“My sister is dead.”
“Maybe not.”
Dominic called the number.
No answer.
He texted one word.
Julian?
Three dots appeared.
Then vanished.
A new message came instead.
ASK MATEO WHAT HE DID TO HER CAR.
Dominic’s face went hard.
He crossed the room and opened the door.
Mateo stood outside.
“Boss?”
Dominic held up the old photograph.
“Did you know Elena?”
Mateo stopped breathing.
That was enough.
Dominic’s voice became dangerously quiet.
“How?”
Mateo looked at Norah.
Then at Dominic.
“I hoped this day would never come.”
“What did you do to her car?”
Mateo closed his eyes.
“I cut the brake line.”
Norah felt the room tilt.
Dominic reached for him.
Mateo did not resist.
May you like
But before Dominic could strike him, Mateo said six words that stopped him cold.
“She asked me to do it.”
