Chapter 19
“Have you lost your damned mind?” ranted Jon. “You know NOTHING about her!”
Richie remained calm as he was looking through his stuff. “I know everything I need to know about her, Jon.”
“Do you know who her father is?”
“Of course, I know him. He’s the one who has been flying me in and out for the shows and I played his blues club about five years ago when I was playing for Joe Cocker.”
“So you know he’s connected to the Mafia?”
“I know he’s been suspected for those kinds of connections.”
“And you think it’s smart to be involved?”
“Look, Jon, I do know what I’m getting involved in when I’m with her. If her dad IS connected, he keeps Dominique out of his business. I’m deeply in love with her and I want you to like her.”
“And if I don’t?”
“It’s not going to stop me from seeing her but it is going to make it difficult because I want her to join me on tour in the future.”
Dominique had slipped in unnoticed and heard everything. Before Jon could speak up, she said, “Jon, please, don’t be angry with Richie. He does know everything he needs to know about me and he’s not in any danger. Do you want to ask me any questions?”
“You’ll answer ANY question I ask?”
“Yes.”
“Truthfully?”
“I have no reason to lie, Jon. If I do and you find out, then it hurts your relationship with Richie and I am NOT going to come between you two.”
Jon watched as Richie moved to Dominique and put his arms around her. There was no mistaking that his guitarist and best friend was in love with this beautiful lady. He really did want to be happy for Richie but he needed to know that she wasn’t putting them all in the line of danger. “How did you get to Miami when your dad is in upstate New York?”
Richie’s temper flared. “You’re seriously going to do to this?!”
“She made the offer.”
“Only to prevent problems between us! Why can’t you trust my choices? I’d never put this band in danger.”
Dominique put her hands on Richie’s sides and looked up at him. “Please don’t argue, Richie. I made an offer and I’m okay with it.”
“I promised YOU a clean start.”
“I know and I love you for trying but it’s not fair to the guys to not know about me.”
“They aren’t dating you.”
“But they will be affected if the press gets hold of any of my past…including who Daddy is.”
Richie conceded and looked at Jon. “Get the others. She only needs to do this once.”
Jon left the couple but returned a minute later followed by the rest of the band. They all got comfortable, including Dominique and Richie, and she told her story leaving NOTHING out.
By the time she was done, her hands were shaking and tears were streaming down her cheeks. Richie hugged Dominique close to him glaring at Jon for forcing the issue.
Jon tucked his head remorsefully. “Rich, I’m sorry. I had no idea.”
“You couldn’t have known but you COULD have trusted me,” answered Richie as he continued to hold Dominique rubbing her arm protectively.
“What can we do to help?” asked Tico.
“Just keep her distracted. When she’s busy, she doesn’t have cravings,” answered Richie. Then, “Her dad wants her to go to a clinic that deals with Post Traumatic Syndrome so she’s headed there when we head to the next stop.”
“How long is the stay?” asked Jon.
“Not sure…it depends on her recovery.”
Dominique spoke up, “They do couple’s counseling too and Richie has said he wants to come out for it.”
“We had plans for our break,” pointed out Jon.
“I know and I thought maybe we could rent a place near the clinic and when I’m not with her, we could work on music.”
Jon thought it over as he watched the couple. He eventually nodded, “Sounds like a plan, Rich.”
Dominique let out the breath she’d been holding. “Thank you, Jon.”
“What about her Dad’s invitation?” asked Richie. “Her dad’s private jet is waiting to take us back but if we aren’t going, I have to let the pilot know.”
Tico spoke up, “I think it would be a nice break, Jon, and a chance to get to know Dominique better.”
The others chorused their agreement and Jon asked, “Nikki, can your dad’s island handle the fans?”
“It won’t be a problem….it’s a private island and only the people Daddy has brought there are allowed on it.”
“Cool!” chorused all the guys.
“It keeps everyone safe.”
“Sounds like the perfect place for us to go to work on music after a tour,” said Jon.
“I’m sure Daddy would agree. He built the studio for a couple artists on the record label he bought for his girlfriend and his best friend.”
The group continued to talk until dinner and when they went to eat, they simply continued with the conversation. They had welcomed Dominique into their circle.
