We climbed the stairs in silence, my footsteps echoing too loud in the hush of the house. Dominic pushed the door open, and I braced myself, expecting voices, expecting the others waiting inside.
But the room was empty.
"Dom," I turned to him, confused. "Aren’t we supposed to..."
Before I could finish, he dropped down in front of , his hand pressing gently against my knees. And then, slowly, he lowered his head onto my hand like he couldn’t hold himself up anymore.
My heart stuttered.
Is he about to propose?
"I’m so sorry for today," he whispered, voice breaking. "Please... forgive ."
For a second, I couldn’t breathe. Seeing him brought low like this, made my heart sink.
"Dom..." My voice ca out softer than I ant. I slid my free hand under his chin, lifting his face so he’d look at . His eyes were red, and full of guilt. "You don’t have to beg. I already forgave you."
"I lost it," he shook his head. "I let rage take over. I wasn’t thinking. I wasn’t . And you got hurt because of it." His eyes flicked to my head, then back to .
"That’s my fault, Ash. I should’ve protected you. I should always protect you. No matter what the situation is like."
I leaned forward, wrapping my arms around him, pulling him in before he could spiral further. His shoulders trembled against .
"You’re human," I murmured into his hair. "You make mistakes. But you’re still here. Still fighting. That’s what matters." I pulled back just enough to et his eyes. "Just don’t shut out, Dom. Let stand with you instead of behind you."
He swallowed hard, his chest kept rising and falling. Then he let out a shaky laugh. "I’m glad I have you. For real. You’re... you’re so smart, Ash. You’re just... amazing."
Heat crawled up my neck, but I didn’t let go of him. Instead, I gave him a small smile, because if he only knew how much I needed to hear that.
He finally stood, moving to the small cabinet in the corner. Pulling out a box, he sat beside again, first aid kit in hand.
"Let’s wrap it up," he said gently.
His hands were careful, almost trembling as he cleaned the wound. Every brush of his fingers was tender and calm. He blew softly against the sting whenever I winced. His eyes kept flicking up to check on every few seconds, whispering an apology.
I couldn’t look away from him. Not when his eyes softened like that.
"Tell if it hurts too much," he murmured.
"It’s fine," I whispered back, though my chest ached more than my head.
He closed the kit, stood, and held out his hand.
"Co on," he said quietly, clearing his throat.
I slid my hand into his, and he gripped it tighter.
"Let’s go. They’re waiting."
And together, we stepped back into the storm waiting in the other room.
When Dominic pushed the door open, I stepped in right behind him.
They were already there. Ian was leaning back in his chair with that careless slouch with his hand resting on his face, like he was dozing off.
Jasper sprawled on the bed pressing his phone.
Casper was standing quiet in the corner staring at Liam’s posters.
Ren was siting quietly looking all calm and composed.
The air was still, heavy with grief. Liam’s room felt... alive. Like he’d just stepped out and would be back any second.
The shelves were lined with books stacked in that ssy but purposeful way.
Pictures were taped to the walls...him grinning at the beach, arms slung over Dominic and Ian’s shoulder. They looked really young, with birthday balloons in the background.
His jacket hung over the chair, with a faint cologne in the air.
I raised a hand, awkwardly. "Hello."
They all looked at . A quick wave from Rem, quiet nod from Casper, Ian’s little two-finger salute. Jasper gave a full grin. "Well, well. Look who Dom brought around. The cutie in the flesh."
My stomach flipped. I tried to laugh it off, scratching the back of my neck.
"Alright," Dominic said. "Sorry to keep you guys waiting. I know you’ve got other things to do."
"Exactly," Ian muttered. "I left Juney downstairs. She’s gonna kill that I kept her waiting. She’s fierce." He smirked at .
Wait! Juney is his Juney now? When did that even happen?
Dominic forced a laugh. "Right... first things first. I haven’t properly introduced you guys to Ash." He put a hand lightly on my shoulder. "This is Ash Rivera."
I gave a short nod. "Nice to et you."
"Ren, Jasper, Casper, Ian," Dominic said, pointing them out like I didn’t already know who was who.
Ren gave that soft, knowing smile...the kind that sohow made you feel seen and nervous at the sa ti.
Jasper winked. "He’s cute, I’m not going to lie."
Casper’s eyes lingered on longer than the rest, like he was studying .
"So what’s up?" Jasper asked, leaning forward. "What’s with the dramatic family eting? Don’t tell Ash is here to...what?join the club? Replace Liam?"
Dominic sighed, glanced at , then back at them. "There’s sothing you all need to know."
The tone in his voice made even Jasper sit up straighter.
"It’s important. Serious. Dead serious!" Dom added.
Their eyes widened, bracing themselves for the next words he was going to say.
And then, like ripping off a bandage, he said it:
"Liam was murdered."
The words hung in the air.
Silence swallowed the room.
The faint tick... tick... tick of the clock on the wall was suddenly too loud, counting every second no one breathed.
Jasper was the first to move. He shot up from the bed so fast his phone clattered to the floor. "What the actual fuck are you saying, Dom?!" His voice cracked. "Don’t ss with us right now."
Ren’s hands curled into fists on his knees, his calm deanor broke. He pushed off the chair, pacing. "Murder? You an to tell all this ti...." His words caught. "Why the hell are we only hearing this now?"
His eyes searched Dom’s like he needed him to take it back.
Casper’s jaw tightened as he leaned forward. "That’s a heavy claim. You better have proof, Dom...." He broke off, grinding his teeth.
Ian exhaled, and closed his eyes.
The clock kept ticking.
Tick. Tick. Tick.
Dominic forced the words out again, firr this ti. "Not an accident. Not so rumor. Sobody killed him. I’ve seen enough to know."
Their faces...all of them looked like they were still finding it hard to believe.
And ? My pulse wouldn’t slow down. I’d known this mont would co. The mont the glass cracked.
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