Chapter 3 - The Fake Kiss That Changed Everything
Mason's gun was steady.
My knees were not.
Dominic stood between us.
He looked calm.
Too calm.
“Mason,” he said.
“Yes?”
“You have five seconds to make the smartest decision of your life.”
Mason laughed.
“You think I'm scared of you?”
“No.”
Dominic glanced at the gun.
“You're too stupid to be scared.”
The room went silent.
Mason's jaw tightened.
“Lena, give me the card.”
“No.”
“You don't know what it contains.”
“I know enough.”
“It will get you killed.”
I laughed.
“That's rich coming from you.”
His eyes hardened.
“You always had to make everything difficult.”
Dominic turned his head slightly.
“You used to speak to her like that?”
Mason sneered.
“You don't know her.”
“I know enough.”
Mason lifted the gun higher.
Dominic moved.
One hand hit Mason's wrist.
The gun fired into the ceiling.
Dominic twisted.
Mason crashed against the desk.
The weapon skidded across the floor.
Security rushed through the door.
Mason was restrained within seconds.
He screamed my name.
“You have no idea what you've done!”
Dominic didn't answer.
He looked at me.
“Are you hurt?”
“No.”
“Good.”
Mason stared at us.
Then laughed.
“She's not your girlfriend.”
Dominic looked at him.
“No.”
He paused.
“Not yet.”
My heart stopped.
Mason went silent.
So did I.
Dominic walked toward me.
He reached for my hand.
His fingers closed around mine.
“Maybe it's time we made the lie convincing.”
He leaned down.
His lips brushed mine.
The kiss was brief.
Controlled.
But my entire body reacted as if somebody had flipped a switch.
When he pulled back, I stared at him.
“Why did you do that?”
Mason looked furious.
Dominic whispered, “Because he needed to see that you don't belong to him.”
Then he turned toward security.
“Take him away.”
Mason shouted.
“You're making a mistake!”
The door closed.
I looked at Dominic.
“That wasn't necessary.”
“Yes, it was.”
“Why?”
“Because you were trembling.”
I didn't understand.
“When you are afraid, you apologize.”
I frowned.
“What?”
“You apologize for existing.”
I opened my mouth.
Nothing came out.
He touched my cheek.
“You don't have to do that with me.”
My eyes burned.
I looked away.
“Don't be kind to me.”
“Why?”
“Because I don't know what to do with it.”
His expression softened.
“Then learn.”
Those words stayed with me.
The memory card was decoded that night.
It contained financial transactions.
Names.
Dates.
Payments.
Mason's father appeared repeatedly.
So did politicians.
Police officers.
Judges.
And one company.
Costantini Holdings.
I looked at Dominic.
“Your family?”
He didn't speak.
“You're on the list.”
“I'm aware.”
“Why?”
“Because my father made deals before I took over.”
“You were involved?”
“No.”
“Then why are you here?”
He sat down.
“Because my father taught me to survive in a world where innocence doesn't protect you.”
I watched him.
“What happened to him?”
“He was murdered.”
My stomach tightened.
“By who?”
“The same man your mother was running from.”
I looked at the screen.
There was one name hidden inside the files.
Adrian Vale.
Mason's father had made payments to him.
My father had made payments to him.
Dominic's father had made payments to him.
And my mother had recorded his name.
“What is he?”
Dominic's face darkened.
“The man who built Chicago's shadow economy.”
“Why don't I know him?”
“Because powerful men rarely put their own names on the things they control.”
I stared.
“And Mason?”
“His family owes Vale money.”
My heart sank.
“How much?”
“Far more than you.”
“Then Mason didn't steal from me because he was greedy.”
Dominic shook his head.
“He stole because he was desperate.”
That didn't excuse him.
But it explained him.
Mason had used me as collateral without telling me.
My life had become a currency.
I felt sick.
Dominic noticed.
“Lena.”
“I need air.”
He followed me to the balcony.
Cold wind moved through the city.
“I feel stupid.”
“Why?”
“Because everyone knew.”
“Not everyone.”
“Enough people.”
He leaned against the railing.
“You survived.”
“I barely did.”
“You did.”
I looked at him.
“Why do you call me little bird?”
“Because you remind me of one.”
“How?”
“You're always trying to fly with broken wings.”
I smiled despite myself.
“That sounds depressing.”
“It isn't.”
“Then what is it?”
“You keep flying.”
The words made my chest ache.
I looked at his hand.
Then took it.
“I don't know what happens now.”
“Neither do I.”
“You always know.”
“Not anymore.”
He looked at me.
“For the first time in years, someone has entered my life who wasn't part of my plan.”
I swallowed.
“Is that bad?”
“No.”
His thumb brushed my knuckles.
“It's dangerous.”
“What part?”
“You.”
I laughed softly.
“I'm a waitress.”
“You walked into my casino and changed my night.”
“I didn't mean to.”
“I know.”
Then he kissed me again.
This time I didn't pull away.
The moment ended when Sofia entered the balcony.
“Boss.”
Dominic turned.
“What?”
“We found Adrian Vale.”
My blood chilled.
“Where?”
Sofia looked at me.
“He's been dead for six years.”
Dominic's face changed.
“How?”
Sofia placed a photograph on the table.
It showed Adrian Vale.
Alive.
Taken three days ago.
Standing beside Mason's father.
And behind them was my mother's old house.
I whispered, “He's looking for me.”
Dominic looked at me.
“No.”
He picked up the photograph.
“He's looking for what your mother hid.”
A gunshot cracked from somewhere across the street.
The window behind us shattered.
Dominic pulled me down.
A second shot struck the railing.
Sofia shouted.
Security rushed outside.
Dominic wrapped his body around mine.
“Don't move.”
I could feel his heartbeat.
Fast.
Violent.
Alive.
Then his phone rang.
He answered without looking away from me.
A voice spoke.
Dominic's expression hardened.
He ended the call.
“What?”
He looked into my eyes.
“They kidnapped Mason.”
I stared.
May you like
“Who?”
“Adrian Vale.”
