Chapter 4 - THE EMPTY COFFIN
Dominic didn't speak for almost a full minute.
Then he asked one question.
“Who knew?”
Garrett looked down.
“Your uncle.”
Dominic's expression turned to stone.
“Vincent?”
Garrett nodded.
Piper watched the two men carefully.
She had met Vincent Rizzo only once.
He was Dominic's uncle, a silver-haired businessman with an expensive watch and a smile that never reached his eyes.
He had visited the mansion during her interview.
And he'd been the one who insisted Dominic needed a live-in caregiver.
Dominic leaned forward.
“Explain.”
Garrett swallowed.
“Four years ago, Isabella disappeared after an argument with Vincent. Two days later, a body was recovered from Lake Michigan.”
Dominic's face tightened.
“You told me it was her.”
“The medical examiner identified the body.”
“And the coffin?”
Garrett hesitated.
“Vincent ordered a closed-casket funeral. He said the injuries were too severe.”
Dominic's voice dropped.
“You knew it was empty?”
“Not until after the burial.”
“Then why didn't you tell me?”
Garrett's eyes filled with shame.
“Because Vincent threatened my family.”
Piper felt the air leave her lungs.
Dominic stared at his security chief.
For six months, Garrett had been the man who helped him dress, protected his home, and stood beside him after the shooting.
Now Dominic looked at him like a stranger.
“Get out.”
“Dominic—”
“Get out before I say something I can't take back.”
Garrett lowered his head.
Then he left.
Piper stood quietly beside the window.
Dominic stared at the empty doorway.
Finally, he whispered, “Everyone lies to me.”
Piper's heart twisted.
“Not everyone.”
He looked at her.
“You lied on your résumé.”
She froze.
“What?”
Dominic gave a humorless laugh.
“You think I didn't check?”
Her face burned.
“I can explain.”
“You've never worked as a private caregiver.”
“No.”
“You don't have a nursing degree.”
“No.”
“You worked at a bakery, a coffee shop, and a dog-grooming business.”
Piper closed her eyes.
“And a hotel.”
Dominic stared at her.
Then something unexpected happened.
He smiled.
A real smile.
“You're unbelievable.”
“Are you going to fire me?”
“No.”
She blinked.
“Why?”
“Because you're the first person in six months who has treated me like a man instead of a tragedy.”
Piper's throat tightened.
Dominic continued.
“But you're not handling medical tasks without proper training. Dr. Harris will supervise your work.”
She nodded quickly.
“Deal.”
He looked toward the window.
“And Piper?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you for telling me about Isabella.”
She smiled softly.
“Someone had to.”
That afternoon, Piper accompanied Dominic to his first physical therapy appointment in nearly three months.
He hated every second.
He cursed at the exercises.
Complained about the therapist.
And threatened to fire the entire rehabilitation staff.
Piper sat beside him eating crackers.
“You done being dramatic?”
Dominic glared.
“I'm in pain.”
“I know.”
“You don't know anything.”
She put down the crackers.
“Then tell me.”
Something in her voice stopped him.
For the first time, Dominic described the shooting.
The restaurant.
The rain.
The sudden gunfire.
His driver, Michael, collapsing over the steering wheel.
The unbearable pain in his back.
And the moment he realized his legs wouldn't move.
Piper listened without interrupting.
When he finished, his eyes were wet.
“I remember thinking I'd rather die.”
She reached for his hand.
“But you didn't.”
“No.”
“And I'm glad.”
Dominic looked at her.
Something passed between them.
Quiet.
Unexpected.
Dangerous.
Then his phone rang.
An unknown number.
He answered.
A woman's voice whispered, “Dominic?”
His face changed.
“Isabella?”
Piper stopped breathing.
The woman began crying.
“Please don't trust Uncle Vincent.”
Dominic gripped the phone.
“Where are you?”
May you like
A pause.
Then Isabella whispered, “He's the one who ordered your shooting.”
