Chapter 3 - The Secret Hidden in Her Brother’s Name
The attack changed everything.
Naomi moved into Dominic’s Manhattan residence under the excuse of security.
The excuse was ridiculous.
The real reason was obvious.
Someone had been tracking her.
Dominic refused to tell her everything he knew.
Naomi hated being kept in the dark.
By the fourth day, she had hacked into three internal databases and found enough unexplained transfers to know that someone inside the Valente organization was feeding information to Jinaro Varga.
The numbers led somewhere unexpected.
Seattle.
Her brother.
Leo.
Naomi stared at the screen.
“No.”
She checked again.
The holding company receiving payments was registered under a name that made her stomach twist.
Callahan Coffee Roasters.
Leo’s business.
She grabbed her phone.
Dominic walked into the room.
“What happened?”
“My brother is connected to Varga.”
“No.”
She looked up.
“You already knew?”
“I suspected something.”
“You suspected?”
Dominic came closer.
“Leo is not working for Varga.”
“Then why is his company receiving money?”
“He's being used.”
Naomi stood.
“You knew and you said nothing?”
“I was trying to confirm it.”
“You don't get to make that decision for me.”
“I do when keeping you safe is involved.”
Her eyes flashed.
“You don't own me.”
“No.”
He stepped closer.
“But I refuse to bury you.”
The room went silent.
Naomi looked away.
“Tell me everything.”
Dominic finally did.
Three years ago, Varga had begun laundering money through small businesses in Seattle.
Leo’s coffee shop was one of them.
But Leo had never knowingly participated.
Someone had forged his signatures and used his tax identification information.
The real problem was that the fraud had been discovered by Naomi’s father before his death.
Her father had not died accidentally.
Naomi sat down.
“My father?”
Dominic nodded.
“Your father was an accountant.”
“I know.”
“He discovered that several shipping companies were moving money through the harbor using charitable foundations.”
Naomi’s lips parted.
“He threatened to expose them.”
“He tried.”
Her voice shook.
“Who killed him?”
Dominic remained silent.
She understood immediately.
“Varga.”
“Yes.”
She stood and walked toward him.
“You knew?”
“I found out six years ago.”
“And you didn't tell me.”
“You were already destroying yourself trying to keep Leo alive.”
Naomi slapped him.
The sound was sharp.
Roman, standing outside the half-open door, froze.
Dominic did not move.
Naomi’s eyes filled with tears.
“You had no right.”
“I know.”
“You let me work for you without telling me that my father’s death was connected to your world.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
His face finally cracked.
“Because the man who ordered it was inside my organization.”
Naomi’s breath stopped.
“Who?”
“My father.”
She stared.
Dominic looked toward the window.
“My father, Vincent Valente, was still running the business when your father died.”
Naomi whispered.
“And you?”
“I found out later.”
“Why didn’t you turn him in?”
“I tried.”
His voice was rough.
“He tried to kill me.”
Naomi felt something inside her shift.
“What happened?”
“Roman found me bleeding in an alley. That night, I made a decision. I would take the organization away from my father.”
“And you did.”
“Yes.”
“Why keep the business?”
“Because if I left, someone worse would take it.”
Naomi sat back down.
For years she had thought Dominic was simply cold.
Now she understood.
He wasn't cold.
He was carrying a cemetery inside him.
That night, Naomi couldn't sleep.
She found Dominic in his library.
He was standing beside the fireplace.
She approached quietly.
“Why did you hire me?”
He didn't turn.
“Your skill.”
“That's not the real reason.”
“No.”
He finally faced her.
“The first day you walked into my office, you were terrified.”
“I wasn't.”
“You were.”
She frowned.
“You asked for Leo’s debt to be transferred to you. You were shaking so badly your laptop rattled on the table.”
Naomi remembered.
“I thought you were going to kill me.”
“I almost did.”
She laughed bitterly.
“Comforting.”
“But then you looked me in the eyes.”
“And?”
“You told me I was inefficient.”
She smiled.
“I was right.”
“Yes.”
Dominic looked down.
“I had never met anyone who spoke to me like I was a man instead of a monster.”
Naomi’s chest tightened.
“And now?”
“Now I know you're the only person in this world whose opinion I actually fear.”
She took another step.
“Why?”
“Because I love you.”
The words landed without warning.
No music.
No dramatic pause.
Just truth.
Naomi stared at him.
Dominic looked almost angry with himself for saying it.
“I have loved you for years,” he continued. “I thought if I kept it buried, you would stay safe.”
Naomi whispered.
“And has it worked?”
“No.”
She smiled through tears.
“Good.”
She closed the distance between them.
Their kiss was slow and uncertain at first.
Then years of restraint finally broke.
Dominic held her like she was something precious rather than something he owned.
When they pulled apart, Naomi rested her forehead against his.
“You’re still impossible.”
“I know.”
“And controlling.”
“Yes.”
“And terrifying.”
“Yes.”
She smiled.
“But you're mine now.”
His eyes softened.
“For the first time in my life,” he whispered, “I hope you're right.”
Outside the library, Roman quietly closed the door.
But neither of them saw the figure standing at the end of the hallway.
A man who had heard every word.
And who immediately called Jinaro Varga.
“The boss is in love with her.”
May you like
Varga smiled.
“Then we've finally found his weakness.”
