Dominic stood up with me, his massive frame blocking the view from the window.

“I will not let them touch her, Elena,” he said.

“You could not even protect yourself from them, Dominic,” I said. “How can you protect her?”

The phone stopped buzzing, then immediately began to vibrate again.

The caller ID remained the same.

Marco took a step back, keeping his eyes on the glass doors of the restaurant.

“Two men are getting out,” Marco reported. “They are wearing the estate security uniforms.”

My heart hammered against my ribs.

I grabbed my purse from the floor.

“The kitchen exit,” I said. “I know the manager here.”

Dominic nodded once, a look of grim determination settling over his features.

“Take them out the back, Marco,” Dominic ordered. “Use the secondary vehicle.”

“And you, sir?” Marco asked.

“I will meet them at the front,” Dominic said. “I will slow them down.”

He turned to me, his hand hovering near my shoulder but not quite touching me.

“Go to the bookstore,” Dominic said. “Rossi Books. Is it safe there?”

“Yes,” I said. “The owner lets us use the apartment upstairs.”