Page 2 of Reclaimed Dreams
Dom lay on his side in the dark pretending to sleep. He’d heard Jo turn to him but hadn’t rolled over to face her. He couldn’t. He wanted to be strong for her, but his foundation had been deeply shaken in a heartbeat. He wasn’t structurally sound anymore. He could barely support his own grief let alone anyone else’s.
He’d sat stunned at the table, long after the soldiers had left, unable to speak or move. What could he say? How could the world just keep on turning? How had Jo managed to pull together dinner? He’d had barely enough strength to stand and get himself to bed. For the first time, he hadn’t been able to push through the pain to be there for his family, and he felt that failure deeply.
His firstborn son. His baby boy. His hope for the future. Gone.
Gabe was supposed to take the reins of Valenti Brothers, of the family, of everything. Dom knew that sounded old-fashioned, but of all his kids, Gabe was the most like him. Loud, brash, fearless, and strong-minded… It had been a challenge to raise him. But usually they were in lockstep, in line with each other. Gabe joining the army was the first big thing they’d argued about.
Dom understood the impulse to serve his country, but he’d had plans that involved Gabe being home. He’d recognized that stubborn set jaw though, and had eventually come around on the whole army plan. Hell, he’d even helped convince Jo that everything would be fine. He wished like hell he’d fought harder, found the right words to convince Gabe to stay.
God, how could he face her now? Did she blame him? He blamed himself.
It was all he could do to listen to Jo cry and not hold her. Having been part of the reason Gabe left, he couldn’t imagine Jo wanted his cold words of comfort. He didn’t know if he even had those in him right now.
How could he support his family if he was this weak? He’d never felt so powerless in his entire life.
He’d find a way. He’d have to be stronger, harder than before, but he’d find a way. Dom could make them all strong enough to survive this. He just needed to be more forceful, more in control. If I’d been stronger, would Gabe be alive today? Regret and guilt gnawed like rats in the pit of his stomach.
He’d do everything in his power to keep the rest of his family safe.
Soon.
Tomorrow.
