Chapter 22 - DOMINIC’S DEBT COMES DUEDominic visited Nathan’s grave.
Riley did not come.
She said:
“I’m not ready.”
He went alone except Grant at distance.
Nathan’s headstone simple.
Dominic stood for long time.
“You were right.”
Wind.
Nothing.
He almost laughed.
“Of course you were.”
He told dead friend about Riley.
“She’s stubborn.”
“Suspicious.”
“Terrible manners.”
“You’d be proud.”
Then:
“I’m sorry.”
For not listening.
For building world Vincent could abuse.
For believing Nathan left.
For not finding Riley sooner.
Dominic placed old challenge coin on stone.
Then reconsidered and picked up.
“That belongs to her.”
He left twenty-dollar bill instead.
Grant saw.
“Debt?”
Dominic:
“Ancient.”
At home Riley asked:
“How was it?”
Dominic:
“He didn’t answer.”
“Rude.”
“Exactly.”
Then he gave coin.
“Your father carried this.”
“You keep.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“He left it for you.”
Riley held.
Dominic continued:
“There’s something else.”
He offered legal document.
“What?”
“Education trust.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“No.”
“Before you argue, it is not payment.”
“No.”
“Nathan would have had veterans benefits and assets stolen through trust mismanagement.”
“Our lawyers recovered some.”
“Money is yours.”
Riley read.
Not Dominic gift.
Recovered funds plus restitution.
She relaxed slightly.
Then saw separate line.
Dominic had added scholarship foundation in Nathan’s name for children of veterans and victims of coercive crime.
Riley looked.
“You did this?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because Nathan hated statues.”
She smiled.
“He did.”
“And because I owe him.”
Riley closed file.
“You keep saying that.”
“I do.”
“When is debt paid?”
Dominic looked.
“Probably never.”
Riley shook head.
“That’s not how Dad thought.”
“What?”
“He said keeping score ruins friendship.”
Dominic froze.
Nathan had said same in war.
Riley continued:
“If you protect me because you owe him, what happens when you think you paid enough?”
Dominic stared at seventeen-year-old.
She had found flaw.
He answered carefully:
“Then I stop protecting you because of debt.”
“And?”
“I keep showing up because I care about you.”
Riley looked away quickly.
Eyes wet.
“Okay.”
That was all.
May you like
But it changed relationship permanently.
Nathan’s debt had become choice.
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