𝐃𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬 | 𝟏𝟖 +

𝐍 𝐈 𝐍 𝐄 𝐓 𝐄 𝐄 𝐍

Dakota

I woke up slowly, feeling a comforting warmth wrapped around me. I sighed, sinking deeper into the softness, nestling into my "pillow" as a sleepy contentment washed over me. But something was... off. I blinked, furrowing my brows as I realized that my "pillow" had a heartbeat, steady and strong beneath me. Confused, I cracked my eyes open, squinting against the morning light.

My face heated up instantly when I realized I was lying directly on top of Genevieve, my head resting on her chest, my legs tangled with hers. Her arms were wrapped around me, holding me securely, and I could hear the soft rhythm of her breathing. Just as I was about to pull back in mortification, I heard her chuckle, low and amused.

"Calm down, Cariño." she murmured, her voice husky from sleep, but undeniably playful.

I grumbled under my breath, feeling the heat on my cheeks spread, but I allowed myself to relax again, settling back against her. It was... cozy, and honestly, I didn't want to move. She felt safe, warm, and solid beneath me, and part of me wanted to stay right here, wrapped in her arms.

Genevieve's hand traced a gentle pattern along my back as she teased, "I didn't know you were such a big cuddle bug."

Despite the embarrassment, I found myself smiling as I buried my face against her. "I love cuddles." I mumbled, barely loud enough to hear. "And... being held."

She hummed, her grip around me tightening slightly, as if silently assuring me that she had me, that she wasn't going anywhere. It was a strange feeling, but one I was starting to crave. Her fingers stroked my back, soothing and grounding.

After a few moments, she spoke softly, "We're not going to work today. We're taking the day off." Her tone was gentle but firm, leaving no room for debate.

I nodded, relieved. After everything that had happened yesterday, I knew I needed a break. "Good idea." I murmured. "A day off sounds... nice."

Genevieve's hand stilled on my back. "So, what do you want for breakfast?" she asked, a smile in her voice.

I thought for a moment, then grinned. "Pancakes with whipped cream and strawberries."

She chuckled, and I felt her lips press softly against my forehead in a gentle, comforting kiss that sent a flutter through my chest. "Pancakes it is." she murmured, making me feel almost giddy.

But then, all of a sudden, she shifted, and I found myself straddling her waist, her hands settling on my hips as she looked up at me with a glint in her eyes. I felt my cheeks burn as she examined me, her gaze soft but intent.

"I want to inspect those bruises." she murmured, her fingers tracing gently along my neck, careful not to press too hard.

I sat still, letting her fingertips graze over the sensitive skin where Mr. Costa's hands had left ugly, dark marks. The tenderness of her touch almost made me forget the discomfort as she leaned forward to apply ointment, her movements gentle, meticulous.

When she was done, she brushed her lips against my cheek, a soft, lingering kiss that made my heart stutter. Before I knew it, she was sliding me off her lap, setting me down beside her as she sat up, stretching her arms overhead. "Alright," she said, throwing me a warm smile. "Time to make breakfast."

I watched her go, my heart still racing, feeling warm all over.

I lay back in Genevieve's bed, the plush comforter and soft sheets cocooning me in warmth. It felt surreal, being here in her space, feeling the faint scent of cherry and vanilla around me. I sighed, letting myself sink into the bed for a moment longer, relishing the quiet. But then I heard Genevieve's voice calling up from downstairs, her tone urgent.

"Dakota! Come down here!"

I frowned, her voice breaking through the calm. I reluctantly slipped out of bed, pulled one of her hoodies over my head, and made my way down the stairs, following the sound of her voice. When I reached the living room, I found Genevieve standing in front of the TV, her arms crossed, her gaze fixed on the screen with a serious expression.

I turned to the television, my heart lurching when I saw the news headline flashing across the screen. The reporter's voice cut through the quiet of the room, each word sending a chill down my spine.

"Breaking news this morning: Lawyer Vince Costa was found dead in his car. Authorities report a single bullet wound right between his eyes, suggesting an execution-style murder. Police are investigating the matter, but no suspects have been named."

My eyes went wide, and my stomach twisted as they flashed a picture of Vince Costa on the screen. I felt my heart drop, my hands trembling slightly as the reality of what I was hearing set in. Vince was dead. A bullet between his eyes. It was unmistakable, this wasn't some random act of violence. It was deliberate, cold, and calculated.

And I knew. I knew instantly, deep down, that my mom had a hand in this. That she had ordered this, maybe even the moment she saw the bruises on my neck. She'd always been protective, fiercely so, and she wasn't the type to let someone hurt her family without consequences. But still... the knowledge that she might have actually ordered someone's death for me made my stomach twist.

Genevieve reached for the remote, switching off the TV with a sigh. Her expression softened as she looked over at me, her gaze unreadable.

"I wondered when that would happen." she said, almost to herself.

My heart skipped a beat, my eyes widening. "Why... why would you say that?" I asked, my voice shaky despite my efforts to keep calm.

Genevieve met my gaze, her expression calm, almost resigned. "Vince had a lot of enemies, Dakota." she replied quietly. "He wasn't exactly an upstanding citizen, and the way he treated people... let's just say I'm not surprised that someone finally did something about it."

I swallowed, nodding, trying to push down the turmoil inside me. "Right." I said, my voice coming out awkwardly. "Yeah... I guess that makes sense."

She studied me for a moment, her expression softening. "Come on." she said, gesturing toward the kitchen. "Let's get some breakfast."

I followed her, my mind still spinning as I tried to process everything. As much as I tried to act normal, I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling in my chest. The knowledge that my mom would go to such lengths, that she was capable of hiring someone to take a life... it was a lot to digest. And yet, I couldn't deny the slight sense of relief that washed over me, knowing that Vince Costa would never hurt me, or anyone else again.

In the kitchen, Genevieve began pulling ingredients out, moving around with practiced ease. I watched her, grateful for the distraction as she started making pancakes. Her movements were calm, almost soothing, and I focused on that, letting the normalcy ground me.

But as I sat down, I couldn't help but wonder how much Genevieve truly knew. If she'd guessed that Vince's "enemies" included my family. Or if she'd simply chosen to ignore it, knowing that bringing it up would only complicate things. Either way, I decided to keep my thoughts to myself, hoping that breakfast could bring a semblance of normalcy back to a morning that had already gone off course.

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~ R