A Dominant Fallen (A Dominant Series Book 2) Read Free Page A

in my purse. He wraps an arm about my shoulder and guides me out. We make it to reception, where Kat eyes me enquiringly.
    “Ellie, are you okay?”
    “Family emergency,” Chase answers her. “Inform Olivia we’re leaving and take messages for us. I’ll be back tomorrow.”
    “Sure, of course,” she responds with concern written across her face. I nod faintly, tears soaking my cheeks, and head into the waiting elevator. When the doors shut, Chase whips out his phone and swiftly punches in a few numbers. He smashes it to his head and waits.
    “Who…are you…calling?” I brokenly inquire.
    “Hunt,” he replies simply.
    “No. Don’t,” I plead.
    “Quiet. I’m not going to tell him about you, though I probably should. The guy has a right to know why you left him, the right to make up his own mind about it.”
    “Please, don’t.”
    “I won’t. Trust me.” He squeezes his strong arm about my shoulder, giving me a reassuring smile, and I nuzzle my heavy head into his side. “Yes. Hello. My name is Chase Cahill. I’m calling to speak with Mr. Hunt regarding personal matters. Let him know he’ll want to take this call. It’s urgent…Thank you. Yes, I’ll hold.”
    He taps his foot and lets out a long sigh, decompressing from the strain of the situation. He perks up.
    “Yeah, it’s me. Listen.” The doors open, and we walk out. “Hold one second…Gabrielle, could you give me a moment. I’ll meet you at the front doors.”
    I stare nervously up at him, and he gives me a look as if he’s not to be questioned. I turn to walk away, slowly, so I can still hear what he’s saying. Once he turns away from me, I creep back toward him.
    “I’m guessing this morning…I wanted to inform you of your business associate and Gabrielle’s absence at work…I think they have enough on their plates…Not good…I don’t think that would be wise…Yeah, I will…You’re welcome…I swear I will. Bye.”
    He hangs up and turns back.
    “I asked you to wait by the doors, kid… Come on. Let’s get you to your parents’ house,” he says, throwing his arm about my shoulder and guiding us out the doors.
     
    I t’s been a week since my father passed from a massive heart attack in his sleep. I thought the previous months had been the worst, but I was wrong, dead wrong.
    I haven’t been to work all week. I’ve stayed up in Marin County at my parents’ home, helping take care of the many details to planning a funeral. I’ve cried so much, I’m unable to shed a single, measly tear during my father’s service. All the while, scanning the enormous, cram packed church for Hunt, but he isn’t here, and I feel a sense of relief and disappointment.
    I worry about Dante and his looming threat on Damian’s life. I’ve contemplated telling him about that awful night, but I decide not to, because he would insist I come back to him, putting himself in even more danger of Dante’s promise.
    After the service, we head back to the manor, along with an endless parade of funeral parishioners. The first floor is packed with mourners, friends, family, business associates, but the one face I wish were here next to me, isn’t.
    I head upstairs to my room, escaping the non-stop flow of overly sympathetic guests and settle onto my bed. I’m enjoying my moment of solitude, thinking about the last time I was in this room with Hunt, when someone peeks their head into the room. I spot the jet-black hair. It’s Jules come to check on me. Her glittering amethyst eyes find me on the bed, and she smiles a sympathetic smile.
    “She’s in here,” she calls to someone, and a second later, my mom walks through the door with Chase trailing not far behind.
    “Why are you up here? Why aren’t you downstairs with everyone else?” Mom asks with puffy hazel eyes and a red face. But, even in mourning, she’s absolutely gorgeous.
    “I can’t be down there right now. Please, don’t make me.”
    Suddenly, a shrieking cry comes from