Dominic's POV
The silence was almost oppressive, the kind that made everything sharper—the lights of the city stretching out in the distance, flickering like a thousand little fires. The quiet in the penthouse only made my thoughts louder. I stood by the window, staring out at the city as if it could offer me some sort of clarity. Behind me, Julian was at the bar, swirling his whiskey, looking every bit the smug bastard I'd come to rely on.
"I've got a soft spot for her," I said before I could stop myself, surprising even me.
Julian's glass stilled, and I could hear the shift in the air. He was processing what I'd just said, his brain working a little too hard to catch up. Then, he spoke, his voice tight. "What did you just say?"
I turned slowly, hands tucked into my pockets, posture casual, but something in my gut told me it wasn't that simple. "You heard me."
His expression shifted—amusement, disbelief, and a hint of something else I couldn't quite place. "That tough little detective? The one who looks at you like you're something she scraped off her shoe?"
"She's got fire," I said, my voice steady despite the tension pulling at my insides. "I respect that." I paused, letting my gaze wander back to the city below. "And she's fucking gorgeous."
I could feel Julian's gaze on me, that wide grin spreading across his face like he was getting exactly what he wanted. "The great Dominic Conti, finally smitten. I never thought I'd see the day."
"Don't get carried away," I warned, but the words fell flat in the air between us. I knew what he was thinking, and it irritated me more than it should've.
"I'm just saying," Julian pressed on, his tone teasing but with an edge of concern, like he was watching something he didn't entirely understand. "You don't usually talk about women, and now you can't stop thinking about her? That's serious."
"Maybe." I shrugged, though the weight of it—of her—was heavy in my chest. "But she hates my guts."
"Well, can you blame her?" he shot back, his voice now more amused than anything else. "You're a criminal, and she's not. It's a trainwreck waiting to happen."
"Think I should forget about her?" My tone was sharper now, the question almost biting.
"I know you should," he said without hesitation, the words landing like a challenge. "But when have you ever listened to me?"
Before I could answer, my phone buzzed, breaking the tension like a blade through silence. Business came first, always.
"Enough about that," I said, my voice steady again, shifting gears. "I've got an operation at the docks tonight. Be ready."
The Ship Dock
The salt air bit at my skin, the cool breeze carrying the scent of the ocean mixed with something far less pleasant—smoke and diesel. I stood at the edge of the dock, my gaze fixed on the horizon. The massive cargo ship slowly crept into view, its hulking form cutting through the night like a shadow. It wasn't anything special—just another routine job. But in this business, there were no "just another nights." Every movement, every shipment, every deal had its weight.
"Alex," I called out, not bothering to turn.
"Yeah, Dominic?" came the response, sharp and focused. He was already by my side, his dark eyes scanning the area, always alert.
"Everything's in place?" I asked, my voice low. The usual buzz of anticipation had settled in my gut. The Brotherhood's operations weren't something you took lightly, even when they felt routine.
"Of course," Alex replied, his voice cool and steady. "Cargo's secure. Our guys are ready to unload."
"Good. No fucking around tonight," I said, my eyes glued to the ship as it docked, the screech of metal against concrete breaking the otherwise peaceful night. The crew moved quickly, their shadows darting in and out of sight as they unloaded crates marked with the Brotherhood's symbol: a snake devouring its own tail. It was a simple logo, but it said everything about us. We were in this for the long haul, devouring whatever got in our way.
"Trucks are loaded and ready to roll," Alex said, his eyes constantly sweeping the area, making sure no one was getting too close, nothing was slipping under the radar.
"Get them moving," I ordered, keeping my eyes on the operation. The trucks rumbled to life, disappearing into the darkness, the cargo headed toward its destination. Watching it unfold was always satisfying, like watching a well-oiled machine work in perfect harmony.
Then, just as everything seemed to be falling into place, Alex's voice sliced through the quiet, sharp with tension.
"Dominic, we've got a problem. The Vipers are planning to ambush our trucks."
My jaw tightened, a curse slipping from my lips. "Fuck."
I turned toward him, my voice cold, clipped. "Take care of it. Now."
He didn't hesitate, already pulling his phone from his pocket and dialing as I watched the last truck pull away. The weight of the job was never as heavy as the moments where things went sideways. But we'd seen it all before, and the Brotherhood wasn't about to lose ground over some cheap ambush.
Minutes later, Alex reappeared, a grin spreading across his face like he'd just pulled off a perfect heist.
"Trucks are safe. The Vipers are down. Cargo's on its way."
I gave him a simple nod, the tension slipping out of me. "Good work. We've won this round." I turned my attention back to the night, the cargo heading toward its destination, and the Brotherhood's power inching forward with every successful operation. "The Brotherhood's power grows every day. We're unstoppable."
Lexi's POV
I sat in the office, my conversation with Gabriel drifting in and out of focus as my mind wandered. The workday had been exhausting, and I was ready to call it a night. That's when my phone buzzed, breaking through the haze of fatigue. I glanced at the screen—an unknown number. My stomach twisted, a knot of dread tightening in my chest.
"Lexi," came a voice, low and gravelly, enough to send an involuntary shiver down my spine. "It's Victor Rex."
I froze, my blood running cold. My thoughts raced to the worst possible scenario. "What the hell do you want, you human trafficking bastard?" The words came out sharper than I meant, but I didn't care. This wasn't a time for niceties.
"Oh, I just wanted to see you, Detective," Victor replied, as if suggesting a casual meet-up over coffee. "I'll send you an address."
I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. "And what makes you think I'll come?" My voice trembled, but I pushed forward, trying to maintain control. I had no intention of playing by his rules.
Victor Rex chuckled, a sound as chilling as it was dark. "Oh, I know you will. Because I have what you love."
A cold sweat broke out across my skin, and I felt the air leave my lungs. "What the fuck are you talking about?" I demanded, the panic seizing me, but he didn't respond immediately. Instead, there was a faint sound, a voice so soft but unmistakable that my world seemed to tilt on its axis.
"Mom, save me."
Max.
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. My chest constricted, my heart dropping into my stomach. "Max?!" I gasped, the panic flooding through my veins like ice.
To Be Continued...