34. Thea

I head to Dom's room. I've been in here once or twice over the years—mostly as T's sidekick when he went to ask his brother something. It feels different now. I stand at the door, almost afraid to go in. I don't know what's wrong with me. Maybe I'm afraid the ghost of Gabby will jump out of the corner.

"Thea, can we talk?"

I stiffen for a minute when I hear Raze's voice, but turn around with a sigh.

"Shouldn't you be in that meeting in there?"

"Not really. That's between Dom and Dragon. I voiced my support for Dom. That's all I needed to do, then I left."

I sigh, but nod. "What do you want to talk about?"

"I wanted to apologize for how shit went down. I should have manned-up and told you about Anna."

"It would have been better if you hadn't lied to me when I asked you," I respond with a shrug.

"You're right."

"Listen, it doesn't matter. It wasn't anything major between us. We both know that. You have Lili and I have Dom. It's fine."

"Lili and I aren't together. We're too toxic together. We just can't seem to stay apart, either."

"Then I'd tell you that you need to figure that out. If you're feeling guilty about us, you can stop. I'm happy."

"I don't really understand what's going on out there, but I hope it works out for him, both there and with you."

"Thanks. He needs some support if you want to make sure you have his back."

Raze looks at me and nods. "He'll know he has it."

"That'd be good. He's feeling a little betrayed—and rightfully so."

"I'll talk to him. Hey, listen, for what it's worth, I'm always going to regret the fact I pissed away my shot with you."

I try not to roll my eyes. I just shake my head. "You should."

He grins and walks away.

"Men," I mutter under my breath. I'm really hoping Raze goes back in there and has Dom's back. I know Mattie will stand behind him—I don't doubt that. I just would like for a lot of his brothers to stand behind him. At this point, I'm not sure it would change anything for Dom, but it might make him feel better. Right now, he feels like the club has turned their back on him.

I finally force myself to go into Dom's room. Luckily, it doesn't smell like other women. I had fully prepared myself—expecting it, really. I couldn't be jealous about it, because I know Dom hasn't been with anyone but me since we first got together. He's also in my bed every night. Still, I know Dom was a man whore. That's why I demanded the tests before we went without condoms. He swore to me he has never been with a woman without gloving up first. Supposedly, that includes Gabby. He swore to me it was true and I believe him, I do. I just find it hard to understand Gabby allowing that. I wouldn't. I shrug it off. It's just further proof that the two of us are nothing alike. Thank God.

I walk to Dom's closet and find the royal blue University of Kentucky duffle bag he said was there. I put it on the bed and unzip it. Then, I go back to the closet and take his clothes that are hanging—hangers and all. Bringing them back to the bed, I look around and snort. Dom wasn't kidding when he said that he doesn't have a lot here anymore. I realize now that he had brought more and more to Mattie's house. Plus, his closet in the rental house is full. I was worried everything wouldn't fit in the duffle. I was wrong.

I take things off the hangers, fold them, and put them neatly into the duffle bag. I go to the kitchenette. Well, it's a mini-fridge and some cabinets. I search through the cabinets and find an old Walmart bag and some Ziplock gallon bags. In the closet there are some men's flip-flops, and a couple pair of tennis shoes. Dom wears his boots more than anything, but he might want these. I put them in the bag and set it beside the duffle.

Carrying the gallon bag, I walk into the bathroom that is attached. It's not big. In fact, it gives me claustrophobia. The shower is so tiny that I wonder how Dom ever fit in it. I go to the tiny sink—it doesn't have a cabinet, just the white porcelain sink. There's an imitation oak medicine cabinet with a horrible 1980s flight bar above it. I open it and immediately begin dropping things into the bag. There's toothpaste and a toothbrush. He probably doesn't need those since he has new ones, but I grab them anyway. There's over-the-counter pain meds for headaches, aftershave, and shaving cream. There are no razors, probably because those are already at the house. Still, I throw the rest of that in there with a few more odds and ends. When I take it out of the room, I walk back in to see my father sitting on the bed.

"The meeting over?" I ask.

"My part is. I voted against accepting Dom's resignation."

"Thank you."

"I didn't do it for you," he mutters.

"I know it's club business, but I'm still grateful. Dom's already feeling betrayed. I didn't want the entire club to turn their backs on him."

"They didn't. No one wants his cut—especially Dragon."

"Then maybe he shouldn't have cut Dom out of what was going on at the club."

"He told you?"

"Just that there were things happening that it appeared everyone knew but him. Dom wouldn't betray the club, but the two of us don't really have secrets either."

"When did this happen, Thea? Hell, I thought you were seeing Raze? I wasn't happy, but it would keep my little girl closer to home, so I let it go. The next thing I know, you're stuck to Dom's side, and everyone seems to know but me."

"I was going to tell you, Dad. I promise. There just hasn't been time. We went to dinner at Dragon and Nicole's. It was on my list to set up a dinner with you guys, but Dragon's wasn't exactly a success. I just kind of thought I'd hold off for a little longer. Dom was under enough stress."

"We're your parents, Thea."

"You are, and I love you guys. Still, you can be like blood hounds when it comes to someone I'm dating."

"I think we were very nice to Deke."

"Yeah, well, that's because Mom liked he was in medical school, and you were just glad I wasn't pining over Dom any longer."

"And look how that turned out," he huffs.

"Don't start, Dad."

"Thea, honey?—"

"I mean it. You used to tell me that you took one look at Mom and just knew that she was the one for you. You never looked back, remember?"

"I remember."

"I did the same with Dom. It just happened when I was too young to be taken seriously."

"But honey, he's?—"

"Dad, I love you, but please don't say anything against Dom. He's been really good to me and we're finding our way together. You of all people should know a man can make the worst decisions in the world, and still change into a good man. You never hid from us how much your life changed when Mom came into it."

"This makes twice my kids have called me out. Do you think Dom is going to change?—"

"I already have," Dom says, coming inside.

I search his face, but he doesn't give anything away. I want to ask him if everything is okay. I want to demand he tell me what happened with the club and his dad. I don't do any of that. I'm too aware that we're not alone. I table all the questions I have and instead just ask one small thing. "Are you okay?" I can't keep the worry out of my voice.

Dom walks over to me and tucks some of my hair behind my ear. He gives me a smile that seems kind of sad. "I'm good, Gorgeous." I stare up at him for a minute, and nod.

Dom turns back to face Dad. "I know Thea deserves better than me, Bull. The thing is, I'm not letting her go. I know how special she is, and I can't let her go, even if she'd be better off without me. I can promise you I'll bust my ass to make her happy, and I'll protect her with everything I have."

Stepping next to Dom, I wrap my hand around his back and curl into his side. Dom immediately hugs me close, turning me so my stomach is against his side. I put my other hand on his stomach and lay my head against him. I close my eyes for a moment as this feeling of happiness floods through me.

"You need to come to the house for dinner. Doc will demand it."

"Thea and I are busy moving into a new place and we're going to see T over the weekend, but sure, anytime next week. You just let Thea know. We'll be there."

"Okay." Dad stands and holds out his hand. "You've got my support, Dom. Don't make any rash decisions. It's about more than you now."

"Thea and I make all our decisions together," he counters.

Dad's gaze moves over to me. "Give me a hug, baby girl."

I give him a smile and hug him tightly. "Love you, Daddy."

"Love you, too, Princess."

I close my eyes and savor the moment. No matter what, I know Dad will do everything he can to make sure I stay happy. I just need him to realize that I won't be happy without Dom.