Chapter 54

Every since Dom found out that Tori was pregnant, he's become what some might call over protective. He watched her every move, where she went, he went. Dom was like her shadow, the only time they weren't together was when he had to be at the garage, and that was only because he didn't want her there, he didn't think it was a safe place for her to be. It was starting to drive her up the wall. She hated being stuck in the house day in and day out, especially now.

Everyone was getting ready for tonight's race. Dom and the guys were all sitting around in his living room, it was after twelve and they were all just about ready to go. The only thing holding them up were the girls, it seemed like they were always the last ones to come down the steps.

Brian went up the steps and opened his and Mia's closed bedroom door. He saw Mia standing at her mirror fixing her makeup. "Mia you look fine, everyone's ready to go."

She turned to Brian and sighed, she was clearly frustrated from being rushed. "Alright already, I'm coming now."

Brian came down the stairs dragging Mia behind him. The guys all stood and walked out the door. Vince looked around for Letty, but didn't see her; he just assumed she was behind Mia. "Hey, anybody seen Letty?" he asked.

"Yeah, she's helping Tori find something to wear." Mia said before getting in the car with Brian.

"Hang on a second, I'll be right back." Dom stormed over to Tori's house and right through her front door. He went right up the steps and headed straight to her bedroom. Letty was lying across the bed on her stomach, while Tori rummaged through her closet in her robe. They appeared to be in the middle of laughing about something when Dom barraged in. "Where do you think you're going?" he asked.

Tori looked over her shoulder and saw him standing there. She was hoping that she would be able to get by him tonight, but so much for that, "Oh come on Dom, it's just one night." She said while holding up a pair of dark blue shorts and blue denim jeans. Letty pointed to the shorts so she hung the jeans back up.

Dom watched her move about the room like he wasn't even there. He went over to her and took the shorts out of her hands, "Tori we talked about this, you're not going to the races tonight."

Vince yelled up the steps for all of them to get a move on it. Letty rolled over and stood up from the bed, "I'm gonna leave you two alone." She said with a smirk before she walked out the door.

Dom waited for the door to close before saying anything else. Once it was shut he turned back to her, "I'm serious Tori, it's not safe for you to be there."

She stood there staring at him, she knew he was right and there was no point in arguing it. So instead she let out a sigh of defeat. "Dom I'm gonna go crazy just sitting around doing nothing. You won't let me work, you won't let me go to the races, I'm always alone, and it's just so frustrating."

He heard her mumble something incoherently under her breath as she folded her arms across her chest with a pout. It almost made him laugh, but that would've led to a fight, her emotions were all out of whack lately. Dom took a step closer to her and turned her face back towards him. "I won't stay out late, I'll be back as soon as I can, I promise."

He leaned in closer to her until their lips touched. Their tongues did their all too familiar dance. She moaned as the kiss became more aggressive. Her arms went around his neck and his hand instinctively groped her bottom lifting her against him. Tori wrapped her legs securely around him and Dom carefully lowered her to the bed. He soon began trailing scorching kisses along her neck down to her collarbone. When he got to the outline of her breasts, his fingers fumbled with the belt of her robe. She pulled his shirt off, wanting to caress his skin. The sensuous moans coming from her lips were driving him crazy, that along with his pulsating erection grinding against her warm supple form. Dom was fidgeting with her bra, trying to get it loose when the sounds of horns started to blare. He ignored it, and continued with his actions. The horns sounded once again, this time, with loud shouts behind them.
Tapped his shoulder trying to get his attention, "Dom, they're waiting on you."

"Well let them wait." He said with his face buried in her neck.

She smiled and giggle at the tickling sensation she was feeling, "Just go, I'll be here when you get back."

Dom let out an exaggerated groan as he got up from her. "If you're sleep when I get back, I'm waking you up." He said as he yanked his shirt over his head.

After Dom left, Tori went to put some pajamas on. It was looking like another night all alone. This feeling of isolation was starting to grate her nerves, cabin fever was slowly but surely sinking in, if she didn't get out soon, she was going to scream. The thought of just coming out and telling everyone she's pregnant crossed her mind a couple of times. At least that way they'll stop asking questions as to why she's not at work. Their story about her having the flu was beginning to wear thin. She shuffled through her dresser drawers trying to find something comfortable to put on; clothes that were once folded were all balled up now. She stood up straight from her bent over position with her hands on her hips. Her eyes scanned the room; she smiled when they came in contact with one of Dom's white t-shirts. She pulled the shirt over her head and a smell waft her nose, it still had his scent, she reveled in the warm and tingly feeling that gave her.

Tori sat on her bed Indian style with a bunch of junk food in front of her. She was multitasking between watching television and flipping through a bridal magazine Mia gave her. With a pen in hand, she perused the book gazing at the women in their elegant dresses, circling which ones she liked best. Her sights were captured by a woman standing on the beach wearing a silk gown with a cascading train flowing behind it, she circled that one and put extra checks around it. Then her phone began to ring, she grabbed it thinking it was Dom letting her know he was on his way, but when she looked at the screen, she saw Johnny's name. Her first thought was to let it ring, but curiosity got the best of her.

"What do you want Johnny?" She asked with annoyance dribbling from her lips. This was about the fourth time he's called her.

"Victoria, it's so nice to hear from you." said Johnny. She didn't have to be near him to see that smug smile on his face.

"Seriously Johnny, this is goes beyond stalking. Why have you been calling me nonstop?"

"You and I have something to discuss."

"I highly doubt that." A small chuckle escaped her; she continued browsing through the magazine not paying attention to what he was saying.

"Does the name Carter Verone ring any bells?" There was a stagnant pause on the line. Tori almost dropped the phone hearing that name. "Yeah, I thought it would."

She closed the book and walked over to her window. She moved the curtain to get a view of the street. Everything looked normal; there was nothing suspicious looking out there. "I don't know what you're talking about. What do you want?"

"I want you to talk to you in person… alone."

Tori rolled her eyes as she jogged down the stairs, "people in hell want ice water." When she reached the bottom, she went to her front to make sure that it was locked and then she made her way to the kitchen to check the back door.

"I'm serious Victoria, we need to talk, I think you'll be interested in what I have to tell you." There was a subtle change in his voice; there was no more playfulness or amusement. When he spoke this time, he came off stern.

She noticed the change and thought, maybe this wasn't another one of his antics. Dom would most likely kill her, but she had to know what information Johnny had about Carter. "When and where?"

"Tomorrow afternoon, I'll call you with the place."

It wasn't too late when Dom got back to Tori. Normally he'd still be out having a good time, but a promise is a promise. She was still watching television, trying not to let her conversation with Johnny phase her, but the tv wasn't much of a distraction. This was the second time she had heard Carter's name in two weeks. He was supposed to be in prison and yet he was popping up everywhere. Now she was beginning to worry just as Giselle was. The sound of Dom's feet hitting the stairs was getting closer. She quickly put on a carefree façade as he opened the door.

Dom walked in and threw his jacket on the chair. He then kicked off his boots and sat down on the bed next to Tori.

"Hey, how was it?" she asked.

"Well I won, if that's what you mean." Dom flashed a crooked smile. He then took the remote, turning from the sappy program she was watching.

Tori shook her head, "What else is new? Where is everybody?" she asked.

"They're still there." Dom looked down at her pile of goodies on the bed, then back up at her. "What the hell are you eating?" he asked.

"Peanut butter, pretzels, and Oreos." She dipped the Oreo in the peanut butter and ate it. Dom looked at the food with a disgusted expression, making her laugh. "Don't look at it like that, you know you want some."

"Did you eat any real food?" He asked.

"Of course I did." She said with an unconvincing smile.

"Liar." He grabbed all of her snacks and sat them on the bedside table. Tori tilted her head to the side wearing a frown. He began advancing towards with a mischievous smirk.

Tori side eyed him warily as he approached her. "Don't even think about it." She scooted away from him on the bed as he climbed on, "I'm serious Dom, I-" before she could finish her sentence he started to tickle her. She burst out into a fit of laughter while trying to remove his hands from her sides. "Stop it I can't take anymore." She said between giggles. When Dom finally stopped his sweet torture, she looked at him and smiled. "I love you Dom."

"I love you too." He removed the stray piece of hair that was in her face and climbed off of her.

Dom went back to watching the blood and guts he turned to. Tori sat up and watched him while he watched the movie, her mind began to roam again, she cut the tv off wanting to talk to Dom. "I want to move up the wedding." The thought had been running through her mind all night.

Dom sat up and turned to face her, "What made you change your mind?"

"I was thinking about what you said and you're right, why wait let's just do it. We can do something small at the house with just our families. What do you think?"

"What do think? I think it's a great idea." This was what he wanted in the first place, there was nothing he wanted more than to marry her. "I hope you know Mia's gonna kill you." Dom imagined the look on Mia's face when they tell her all of her over the top planning wouldn't be necessary.

Tori put on a phony smile "At least I'll die a happy woman." Those words repeated over in her mind. The thought of dying never really shook her, but now with things going so well with Dom and a baby on the way, she had a lot worth living for.