Every last Saturday of the month, Dominic always went out for a long bike ride, alone. It was the only thing that ever gave him peace.
But not today. This time, he didn’t go near the empire, and didn't ride. Instead, he checked into a hotel downtown and stayed there, away from everything. Mario had pissed him off again. He just found out the man was still trying to bargain for some illegal weapons from overseas, even after his so-called drug deal last batch, Though Dominic has managed to shut down the deal. Dominic had crushed the entire operation, but just knowing Mario’s blood would sleep under the same roof as him tonight made his skin crawl. If Amara crossed him even slightly, he knew himself..he might just snap, and pull a trigger on her forehead. And tonight, he wasn’t ready for drama. He needed silence. A break. The hotel room was dim, curtains drawn. He was sitting at the edge of the bed when the girl he had called in for the night walked out of the bathroom. Her hair was wet, her towel loosely tied. “Will you like my service some other time?” she asked with a small, playful smile. Dominic didn’t even look up. His voice was cold. “I don’t sleep with the same girl twice. Get dressed and get the fuck out.” The girl’s face fell. She stood frozen for a second, then slowly turned away without saying another word. ****** Amara didn’t step out of her room all morning. She stayed inside, trying not to think about Dominic or the madness from the night before. Even when her stomach growled, she ignored it. Hunger was better than another awkward encounter. By noon, a soft knock came. She walked to the door slowly and opened it. A maid stood there, head slightly bowed. “These are for you, ma,” the maid said, stepping aside. Amara looked down and saw bags..plenty of them. Designer logos, shiny shoes, perfumes, even hair products. The kind of things she used to admire in magazines. “From who?” she asked. The maid didn’t answer. Just bowed her head again. Amara dragged everything inside. She sat on the floor, opening them one by one. Her eyes widened. Everything was brand new. Expensive. Her size. Even the underwear looked like it belonged to someone else’s life. She picked one of the perfumes and smelled it. It was soft. Feminine. She liked it. But her face slowly changed. She stood up, walked to the mirror, and looked at herself. Then she scoffed. Amara was still standing in front of the mirror, her hand holding the perfume. She hadn’t even worn any of the new clothes yet, but the room already smelled like money. The kind of scent that made a person feel expensive. Then her phone rang. She blinked and reached for it on the bed. The screen showed: Uncle Mario. She hesitated, then answered. “I hope you love everything,” his voice came through, calm but heavy. Amara froze. She didn’t expect the gifts to come from him. For a moment, she didn’t even know what to say. Mario continued, “Blood is thicker than water. Always remember... Leone blood runs in your vein. Even if our family is not smooth, don’t spit on your family name.” Before she could reply, he hung up. The phone beeped. The line went dead. Amara lowered the phone slowly, her eyes still fixed on the mirror. Her face was blank, but then something shifted. A small smile crept up. It widened... and widened... until she burst into laughter. The sound echoed through the room. Sharp, strange laughter..like someone who finally realized the game they were in. She flipped her hair back and kept staring at herself. “What about you make use of this moment wisely,” she muttered under her breath. *** Later in the evening, Amara had tried on all the dresses Mario sent her. She performed several indoor fashion shows, feeling herself in each outfit. She only wished she could slay every look on a proper outing. Now she’s now by the main entrance, trying to get past the guard. “Is this a prison?” she asked, glaring at him. The guard didn’t move. Just stood there, blocking her path. She sighed and stepped back, arms folded. She had searched the entire mansion. Dominic wasn’t around..at least, not anywhere she had checked. And funny enough, she just realized she didn’t even have his phone number. “What am I even doing here?” she muttered to herself. She turned back to the guard. “It’s not like I’m running away, okay? I just want to take a walk around the city. Get some air. I’ll come back.” He still didn’t answer. She looked down at her outfit..one of the new dresses. Simple, but the quality was loud. It screamed wealth. The kind of dress that begged to be seen, not hidden behind walls. “What’s the point of this luxury if I’m stuck indoors like furniture?” she murmured. She tried again. Took a small step forward. “Let me just go out and breathe..” The front door opened. Dominic stepped in, Scorpion right behind him. Amara turned sharply, relief all over her face. “Thank God you’re here..” But Dominic froze. For a second, he just stood there, staring. It hit him hard. He had never really looked at her this close. Not even on the wedding day. She looked… different. Soft. Elegant. The dress hugged her like it knew her body. And the way her lips moved while she spoke..he couldn’t even hear a single word. God knows he hated that part. Her facial expressions, her hands flying everywhere as she tried to make her point..it was like watching something he didn’t want to admit was fascinating. Scorpion noticed. He glanced at Dominic, smirking quietly to himself. “I’m just begging you, pleasssse,” Amara said, her voice rising a little. That word..please..was the only thing that reached Dominic’s ears. And it made something shift. He blinked, eyes narrowing just slightly as he finally processed what was happening. Scorpion stepped forward a bit. “Should I tell the guard to let her go?” Dominic didn’t answer right away. He looked at Amara again. Then said calmly, “No.” Amara’s face dropped. “You’re not going anywhere,” Dominic added, walking past her. “Why?!” she snapped, turning around. He didn’t stop or look back. “Because I said so.”Dominic was walking so fast down the corridor. His steps were sharp and heavy. Scorpion followed from behind, but he couldn’t even keep up.When Dominic reached the door to his private office inside the empire, he opened it and stepped inside without even looking back at Scorpion. Then, he slammed the door right on his face.The loud bang of the door echoed through the hall. Scorpion stood outside, surprised, rubbing his hand where the door hit him.Inside the office, Dominic was pacing back and forth like he was trying to figure something out. His mind kept going back to one thought..why does she look so much like an angel? You wouldn’t believe he actually said that word in his head.That anger inside him grew. Without thinking, he hit his head hard against the wall. Once. Twice. Three times.He clenched his fists and pushed himself away from the wall. Then, without hesitation, he went straight to his desk and used his hands to scatter everything on it. Papers, files, pens..all flyin
Every last Saturday of the month, Dominic always went out for a long bike ride, alone. It was the only thing that ever gave him peace.But not today.This time, he didn’t go near the empire, and didn't ride. Instead, he checked into a hotel downtown and stayed there, away from everything. Mario had pissed him off again. He just found out the man was still trying to bargain for some illegal weapons from overseas, even after his so-called drug deal last batch, Though Dominic has managed to shut down the deal.Dominic had crushed the entire operation, but just knowing Mario’s blood would sleep under the same roof as him tonight made his skin crawl. If Amara crossed him even slightly, he knew himself..he might just snap, and pull a trigger on her forehead. And tonight, he wasn’t ready for drama.He needed silence. A break.The hotel room was dim, curtains drawn. He was sitting at the edge of the bed when the girl he had called in for the night walked out of the bathroom. Her hair was wet,
Amara stared at Dominic in shock.Yes, this side of him shouldn’t be a surprise, she expected it, he's called THE BLACK KING for a reason. But somehow, seeing it this close made her stomach turn. Still, she composed herself. She didn’t flinch. She didn’t break.She stood her ground.Her uncle might have thrown her to this man like an offering, but one thing she was sure of .. Dominic wouldn’t dare touch her anyhow. Not when their marriage was the only thing holding peace between the two strongest families in the underworld, and that’s why she will not leave with fear around him or walk around a shell just the way she has been living with her uncle.."You can't just do what you want with me, You can’t do me anyhow" Amara said, her voice steady. "You know one call to my uncle and this whole arrangement crashes. It won’t be fair to the Romanos too. Just leave me alone… while we both keep the peace, and the underworld atmosphere changes.”She said and tried not to show any fear. But her p
Amara turned and started walking back to her room in a hurry.“I said, who is that?” Dominic’s voice echoed again.She paused, cleared her throat, then slowly turned to face him. Dominic had already tied his robe, but the two ladies beside him didn’t even bother to cover up. They stood there, completely naked, without shame.Dominic had that strong, hard face on.“And what the hell are you looking for?” he asked coldly.“Hey, please don’t give me that strong face,” Amara said sharply, almost raising her voice, trust me she doesn’t know what pushed her to say that. Even Dominic looked surprised.“I just got lost around the house,” she added, folding her arms. “I didn’t mean to see anything.”She turned to walk away, then turned back again.“I pronounce you husband and wife..that’s what the priest said. Emphasis on husband. So please, learn your role, and not… this.”With that, she flipped her hair to the side and walked off without looking back.The two naked ladies just stared at her,
The priest finally pronounced them husband and wife.Before anyone could say anything else, Dominic placed his hand on Amara’s arm and turned her gently toward the church crowd. He raised her hand and waved it, making her follow his lead like a doll.“It’s a joke when killers also have their place in God’s house,” Amara thought as she stared blankly at the sea of faces. “Well… we have a merciful God.”They were about to turn away when the priest spoke again.“Wait,” he said, smiling wide. “You haven’t kissed your bride.”Amara stiffened slightly.But Dominic didn’t flinch, Instead, he turned slowly to look at Scorpion.Scorpion knew what that meant. He had been told ahead of time, Dominic didn’t want a kiss. Not even a fake one.Scorpion gave a slight nod and shifted his eyes to the second priest standing behind the main one. The second priest leaned forward and whispered quickly.The main priest looked confused for a second, then adjusted the microphone and cleared his throat.“Ah, y
DOMINIC“So, is that everything about her?” Dominic asked, not looking up from the file on his desk.Scorpion..real name Raymond..stood across from him, arms crossed behind his back. People in the underworld feared him too, not just because of the way he killed, but because of the man he served. Everyone called him Scorpion because his sting was always silent… but deadly.“Yes, boss,” Scorpion replied. “That’s everything we could find.Amara is just Nineteen years old, No training, looks decent and harmless, But there’s something off.”Dominic raised a brow. “Off, how?”“She interfered in an execution. Tried to save the target Bianca Leone was supposed to kill. No weapon, no plan… she just reacted. Out of emotion.”Dominic leaned back in his chair. “So, she’s foolish.”“Maybe,” Scorpion said. “Or maybe she’s just… not like them.”Dominic looked up, waiting.“She was in medical school,” Scorpion continued. “Dropped out after her parents died. she wanted to be a doctor. “Interesting, Sh