chapter 2 : “Bullet?” she asked.
The man looked at her.
Most people stared at Dominic Russo with fear.
Penny stared at him with irritation.
As if bleeding on her bakery floor was the most offensive thing he had done.
A faint smile touched his lips.
“Yes.”
“Hospital.”
“No.”
“Then you're an idiot.”
The smile grew.
For some reason, that made Penny even more annoyed.
She fetched her first-aid kit.
“Take off the coat.”
Dominic hesitated.
“Why?”
“Because I left my X-ray machine at home.”
For the first time in days, he laughed.
A real laugh.
Not the cold, controlled smile he showed investors and politicians.
A genuine laugh.
The sound surprised both of them.
For the next hour Penny cleaned the wound while Dominic sat silently beside the ovens.
He watched her move around the kitchen.
No makeup.
Hair tied up.
Flour on her cheek.
Completely unimpressed by him.
It was a new experience.
Women usually wanted something from Dominic Russo.
Attention.
Money.
Status.
Access.
Penny only wanted him not to bleed on her floor.
When she finished bandaging him, she pointed toward the door.
“You can leave now.”
Dominic blinked.
“That’s it?”
“That’s it.”
“You don't even know who I am.”
“Nope.”
“You're not curious?”
“Not really.”
For several seconds he simply stared.
Then something unexpected happened.
He smiled again.
May you like
And left.
Neither of them realized that night would change both of their lives forever.
