Chapter 6 - The Night Dominic Finally Lost His Control
Michael survived surgery.
But the Rossi empire was collapsing.
Vincent's betrayal had triggered investigations.
Banks froze accounts.
Board members demanded Dominic step down.
Marcus's arrest exposed decades of illegal activity.
The public image of the Rossi Group was cracking.
Dominic worked 20-hour days.
Lena rarely saw him.
That worried her more than the danger had.
One evening, she found him alone in his office.
His jacket was on the floor.
His sleeves were rolled to his elbows.
A single lamp illuminated the room.
"You haven't slept."
"Neither have you."
"I slept 4 hours."
"That isn't sleep."
She closed the door.
"We need to talk."
Dominic looked up.
"About what?"
"Us."
He went still.
Lena approached.
"Everything changed."
"Yes."
"You told me you love me."
"I did."
"And then you acted like it never happened."
"I was trying to protect you."
"From what?"
"From me."
She stared at him.
"That's not your decision."
He stood.
"I am a man with enemies."
"So am I."
"You don't understand."
"I understand perfectly."
She stepped closer.
"I'm not asking you to become someone else."
"You should."
"Why?"
"Because people like me destroy people like you."
Lena shook her head.
"You don't get to decide what I can survive."
He looked away.
She took his face in her hands.
"Look at me."
He did.
"You didn't make me weak."
Her voice softened.
"You made me feel safe."
That broke something in him.
Dominic kissed her.
This time it was slow.
Deliberate.
Honest.
When they pulled apart, he rested his forehead against hers.
"I don't know how to do this."
"Neither do I."
"You're my employee."
"Not anymore."
He frowned.
"What?"
"I resigned."
He stared.
"Today."
"You resigned?"
"Yes."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I wanted you to know I was choosing you, not my job."
Dominic's eyes softened.
"What are you going to do?"
"Start my own consulting company."
A rare smile crossed his face.
"I'll be your first client."
"That might create a conflict."
"I enjoy conflicts."
She laughed.
For the first time in years, Dominic laughed too.
But their peace lasted less than 24 hours.
Marcus escaped custody.
His accomplices attacked the hospital.
Michael was moved to a secure location.
Cecilia disappeared.
Lena received one message.
You should have stayed a secretary.
Then another.
Meet me at the Meridian.
Alone.
Dominic read it.
"You're not going."
"That's what he expects."
"We don't know that."
"I do."
She looked at him.
"Dominic, he's obsessed with control."
"We use that."
They created a trap.
But Marcus anticipated it.
The Meridian ballroom was empty when Lena arrived.
The lights were on.
The same ballroom where the gala had begun.
The same place where Dominic had first looked at her differently.
Lena stood alone.
"Marcus?"
A voice came from the stage.
"You really are your father's daughter."
Marcus emerged.
A weapon in his hand.
"You were always the weakness."
Lena remained calm.
"You've lost."
Marcus laughed.
"You think arrest papers matter?"
"No."
She held up a phone.
"Your confession does."
Marcus froze.
The recording app was running.
"You talk too much," he said.
"So do you."
He raised the gun.
Then Dominic's voice echoed from the balcony.
"Drop it."
Marcus turned.
Dominic stood above him.
Surrounded by armed agents and police.
Marcus smiled.
"You can't kill me."
"I don't need to."
Marcus stared.
Dominic continued.
"Everyone is listening."
The ballroom speakers activated.
Marcus's own words from the previous minutes blasted through the room.
He had confessed to the crimes.
The murders.
The laundering.
The attempted assassination.
Every word.
Marcus looked at Lena in disbelief.
"You."
She nodded.
"You underestimated the secretary."
Police stormed the room.
Marcus was arrested again.
This time, there was nowhere left to run.
When it was over, Dominic approached Lena.
"You were never just my secretary."
"I know."
"What are you now?"
She smiled.
"The woman who saved your company."
He laughed softly.
May you like
"Fair."
Then he kissed her.
