Okay, deep breaths.
I dropped the phone like it was on fire and just stared at it, my fingers actually shaking.
No. No no no.
That voice I hadn't heard it in months. But I knew it. I would always know it. The way he said my name, like it was some kind of curse. Like he owned me.
"You thought you could hide forever, Isa?"
My stomach turned.
I couldn't breathe. It felt like the walls were closing in and the tiny kitchen was suddenly too small, too loud, too bright.
"Who was that?" Dominic's voice cut in, sharp but low, like he was trying not to freak me out. Too late. I was already freaking out.
I shook my head too fast. "It's nothing."
Lies. That's all I'd been doing lately. Lying to protect myself. Lying to keep this fragile bubble I'd built from bursting. But it was cracking now. And Dominic? He saw right through it.
"Isabella," he said, and this time it wasn't a question. "Tell me. Now."
I looked up at him, like the man who somehow went from a one-night mistake to the only person who made me feel safe and I felt the tears hit.
And then I said it.
"I think… someone found me."
His face changed. Like really changed. His whole body went still, but his eyes? They went dark. Not angry exactly but protective. Dangerous.
"Who?" he asked, deadly calm.
I pressed a hand to my belly, like I could shield my baby just by holding on tight enough.
"His name is Rafe," I whispered. "My ex."
Dominic didn't say a word. Just waited. His silence made me talk faster, like ripping off a Band-Aid.
"I was stupid, okay? I was seventeen and thought I was in love. Rafe was older, charming… everyone said he was trouble, and I didn't listen." I swallowed hard. "He got controlling fast. Scary. He didn't hit me, but he knew how to hurt me."
My hands were cold.
"I left. I ran, changed numbers, moved cities, cut off everyone. He couldn't find me. I thought I was free."
"But now he's back," Dominic finished.
I nodded.
"He must've found out I work for you. Or saw my name somewhere. I don't know how, but… he knows."
Dominic stood up so fast his chair scraped the floor.
"You should've told me," he snapped.
I flinched.
But then his voice softened. "I'm not mad at you. I'm mad that he thinks he can threaten you and my child."
Something warm and terrifying bloomed in my chest.
My child. Our child.
He paced once, then looked at me like he'd already made a decision.
"You're not staying here tonight."
"What?"
"You're coming with me. I'll put you in one of my penthouse apartments. Security. Private elevators. No one gets near you unless I say so."
I shook my head. "Dominic, I can't just move in—"
"Yes, you can," he cut me off. "He made a mistake showing his face. I won't let him near you again."
And something in me finally broke.
The wall. The fear. All of it.
Because for once… I wasn't alone.
"I'm scared," I whispered.
Dominic stepped close, cupped my face in his warm, strong hands, and said something that made my heart stop:
"Then let me protect you."