Chapter 9 - Blood and Redemption
Dominic collapsed sideways onto the wet street, clutching his bleeding shoulder. Elena, her heart hammering wildly, scrambled up and checked the children. They were terrified, crying, but unharmed. She turned back to the man bleeding out on the stones.
For five years, she had convinced herself he was a monster. But as she looked at him now, pale and gasping, having thrown himself in front of a firing squad without a second thought to save the family he had betrayed, the ice around her heart began to crack.
Gabriel rushed over, pressing a heavy medical kit against Dominic’s wound. “He needs a hospital, Elena,” Gabriel said, looking up at her. “Vanessa sent them. We intercepted her communications too late. She’s been handled, but he took a direct hit for you.”
Elena dropped to her knees beside Dominic. She pressed her hands over Gabriel’s, applying pressure to the wound. Dominic’s gray eyes flickered open, focusing on her face. He reached up with his good hand, his bloodied fingers gently brushing the wet hair from her cheek.
“Are they safe?” he whispered, coughing.
“They’re safe,” she sobbed, holding his hand against her face. “You stupid, reckless man. Why did you do that?”
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A faint, ghost of a smile touched his lips. “Because I swore before God… no one comes before you. I just… remembered a little too late.” He looked past her, his gaze finding the two wide-eyed children clinging to Gabriel’s coat. “They’re beautiful, El. They’re perfect.”
His eyes rolled back, and he passed out on the cold stone.
