The Devil's Candy

Chapter 21

Dom began telling me of his childhood and being an only child with loving amazing parents.

"They were the type of parents that would spend every moment they had to play with you, hug you, even read you a story. My parents were amazing." He takes a deep breath, "There was a point that my parents were struggling with money. We had to sell our house and move into a small apartment. 

Eventually my parents would spend less time with me since they were constantly working to pay the bills. One time when I was 10 years old, I was walking back home from school and this guy came up to me and offered me $100. Didn't tell me why, just gave it to me.

"It was like a gift from god. Knowing my parents were struggling I ran home and gave them the money telling them I found it on the street. I didn't want to say some stranger gave it to me because I knew I would get in trouble for talking to strangers. They were happy and after so long I finally saw them smile genuinely. 

The next couple of days I kept running into the same guy and he repeatedly gave me money every time. I kept bringing it home and hiding it around the house so that my parents could find it. When they'd ask each other where it came from, I'd suggest they may have misplaced it or forgotten that they put it there.

"He promises to help my parents with their money issue. He looked out for me, buying me food after school, walking me to and from school, taking me to the park. 

At that point I considered him like the big brother I never had. But then one day after school he wasn't there to walk. I got home to find the front door cracked open. Our apartment was ransacked and-" The words getting caught in his throat. I placed a hand on his shoulder, encouraging him to continue.

"There was blood everywhere. My parents were lying on the floor with a bullet in their heads. I called 9-1-1 and I was put into the foster system. 

I wasn't there for long once I met Enzo and he adopted me." He chuckles at the memory, "He's kind of like a father figure, but also a big brother. He was already working on a mission to find the guy and when he heard what happened me, he searched for me. The rest is history."

"Vince," he spits the name as if it were acid on his tongue. "That bastard used me to get information about my parents, but my parents were innocent. I will never forgive Vince for what he did."

"Have you seen him since that day?" I asked.

"Once when I was 16, but never again after that." He sighs.

Dominic has literally been through hell. I can't even imagine what was going through his head when he was ten after finding his parents. I barely know Enzo, yet I want to hug him and thank him for everything he's done for Dom.

"This is why I really don't want you involved, because of people like Vince. They will take the people who are important to you and use them as your weakness."

"Dominic, nothing is going to happen to me-"

"How do you know that Amelia?" His voice is straining.

"Because I have you." I shrug. "I trust you enough to know you will never let anything happen to me, no matter how dangerous our missions get." My reassurance was enough to calm him down a bit. Suddenly, I am wrapped in his embrace. I bring my arms around him.

"Thank you." He muttered. I don't think I was supposed to hear that though. He pulls away with determination expressed on his face. "Get dressed."

"What?"

"Get dressed. I'm taking you out tonight, I'll pick you up in an hour." Not even giving me a chance to comment, Dom shoots up and walks out the door.