Chapter 3 - Someone Targeted Iris’s Brother to Force Dominic Back Into the Life He Was Trying to EscapeEli noticed the camera.
That changed everything.
He was crossing the street toward the bus stop when sunlight flashed against the sedan’s windshield.
A phone lifted.
A photograph.
Then another.
Eli froze.
The car accelerated away.
He immediately texted Iris.
By the time Iris reached the sidewalk, barefoot and wearing the oversized T-shirt she slept in, the sedan was gone.
Eli stood beside the bus shelter furious rather than frightened.
I could have gotten the plate.
You could have gotten hurt.
I'm not twelve.
I know.
You act like I am.
Because apparently grown men are photographing you from cars.
Eli stopped.
Iris’s anger collapsed into fear.
She took his face between her hands.
You are the only family I have.
Eli’s expression softened.
You're mine too.
Dominic arrived eleven minutes later.
Not Gus.
Not one of his drivers.
Dominic.
He stepped from the car before it fully settled against the curb.
His face changed when he saw Eli unharmed.
Then hardened again.
Inside.
Iris planted herself between him and the apartment entrance.
Police first.
Dominic stared.
Iris.
Police.
His nostrils flared.
They took a photograph.
Which is stalking.
You think a patrol officer will stop Vincent?
I think documentation matters.
Dominic looked at Eli.
Eli signed:
She's right.
Dominic looked betrayed.
Eli shrugged.
I live with her.
That almost broke the tension.
Almost.
They filed a report.
Dominic hated every second.
Iris could tell because he became unnaturally still.
The officer taking their statement clearly recognized Dominic’s surname.
His professionalism became careful.
Too careful.
Dominic noticed too.
Afterward they returned upstairs.
Gus arrived with information.
Vincent had made contact.
Not directly with Iris.
With Dominic.
A message delivered through an old associate.
Come back to the table.
Stop closing operations.
Stop transferring legitimate companies.
Stop talking to attorneys.
And the photographs would stop.
Iris felt cold.
“This isn’t about hurting Eli,” Gus said. “Not yet.”
“That's supposed to make me feel better?”
“No.”
Dominic stood near the window.
His hands remained at his sides.
Iris knew that posture now.
It was the posture of a man holding violence inside himself with both fists.
What attorneys? she asked.
Dominic turned.
Gus looked at him.
Something passed between them.
Iris saw it.
Tell me.
Dominic signed:
Federal attorneys.
The room went silent.
Iris stared.
What have you done?
Nothing yet.
Gus muttered, “That’s technically true.”
Dominic shot him a look.
Gus raised both hands.
Iris stepped closer.
Are you cooperating with the government?
Dominic’s jaw tightened.
I have spoken to attorneys about what cooperation would require.
Her knees felt weak.
This was bigger than leaving.
This was confession.
Evidence.
Prison.
Death, perhaps, if the wrong people learned enough.
Why?
Dominic looked at Eli.
Then Iris.
Because closing businesses isn't enough.
His signing became deliberate.
If I walk away quietly, Vincent takes everything I leave behind. Someone else collects the money. Someone else threatens shop owners. Someone else buys officials.
He paused.
Nothing changes except my conscience.
Iris sat.
Dominic continued.
I spent fifteen years telling myself I was less cruel than the men before me. That became my excuse for remaining.
He shook his head.
Less cruel is still cruel.
Iris had no answer.
Eli did.
What happens if you cooperate?
Dominic looked at him.
I may go to prison.
Iris’s heart dropped.
Eli swallowed.
How long?
I don't know.
Iris stood abruptly.
She walked into the kitchen.
Dominic followed.
She turned.
You were going to tell me when?
When I knew what I was choosing.
You already chose.
I chose to explore it.
People are photographing my brother because you explored it.
His face tightened as though she had struck him.
Good, some angry part of her thought.
Then she hated herself for thinking it.
You're right, he signed.
She paced.
I need to think.
I know.
Stop agreeing with me.
He almost smiled again.
She pointed at him.
Don't.
The smile disappeared.
For the next forty-eight hours Iris barely slept.
Dominic arranged security without moving anyone into their apartment.
That was the compromise.
Gus parked nearby.
Another man watched Eli’s trade school.
Iris hated it.
She hated more that she was grateful.
On Thursday, Dominic did not come to The Amber Fork.
For the first time in months, private room three remained empty.
Iris kept looking toward it.
At nine fifteen Theo approached.
“You okay?”
“Fine.”
“You've refilled table twelve’s water six times.”
“They’re hydrated.”
Theo wisely retreated.
At ten thirty Iris checked her phone.
No messages.
At eleven twelve:
I'm safe.
She closed her eyes.
Then:
Meeting with attorneys ran long.
Her fingers hovered.
Federal attorneys?
Yes.
She stared at the screen.
Then typed:
Come over.
He arrived after midnight.
Iris had changed clothes.
Eli was asleep.
Dominic sat at the kitchen table.
No expensive restaurant.
No guards.
No white linen.
Just two people beneath a cheap ceiling light.
Iris signed:
Tell me everything you're allowed to tell me.
So he did.
Not names.
Not operational details.
But truth.
He told her he had inherited criminal enterprises at twenty-eight after the explosion that killed his father and destroyed most of Dominic’s hearing.
He had expanded legitimate holdings while allowing illegal operations to continue.
He had bribed.
Threatened.
Ordered men beaten.
Destroyed businesses.
He had never personally killed anyone.
But he did not use that fact as absolution.
I gave orders knowing fear would enforce them.
Iris’s stomach twisted.
Did anyone die because of you?
Dominic went still.
Then:
Possibly.
The honesty hurt more than a comforting lie.
I don't know.
He continued.
There were men I sent into situations where violence was likely. I cannot promise every consequence stopped where I intended.
Iris looked away.
This was the man she loved.
She realized it then.
Not suspected.
Not almost.
Loved.
And love did not erase what he had done.
That was the unbearable part.
I can't tell you it's okay.
I know.
I can't forgive things that weren't done to me.
I know.
And if you go to prison—
Her hands stopped.
Dominic waited.
She forced herself to continue.
I don't know if I can wait.
Pain flickered across his face.
Still, he nodded.
I know.
Tears filled her eyes.
Would you stop saying that?
He reached toward her.
Stopped before touching.
Iris closed the distance herself.
His hand covered hers.
I don't want you to wait because you owe me, he signed one-handed.
If I face consequences, they belong to me.
A tear slid down Iris’s cheek.
Then what belongs to us?
Dominic looked at her for a long time.
Whatever remains after the truth.
The next morning, Vincent Falcone sent Dominic another message.
This one contained a photograph of Iris entering The Amber Fork.
Across the bottom were six words.
SHE IS MAKING YOU WEAK.
Dominic looked at it for ten seconds.
Then forwarded it to his attorney.
For the first time in his life, he did not send men.
May you like
He sent evidence.
And Vincent Falcone had no idea how dangerous that choice would become.
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