LOGIN"Chase?" Renata’s voice echoed with genuine surprise as she saw him standing there.She moved instinctively, closing the distance to wrap him in a quick, warm hug. Chase returned the embrace, though he was careful to steady the gift bag in his hand, keeping it clear of the movement.As they pulled apart, Chase’s gaze immediately drifted past her, narrowing as it settled on Domenico.His eyes locked onto the thick support brace gripping Domenico’s shoulder.The intel he’d received at the station earlier that day had been true, a violent clash between two rival syndicates, and Domenico hadn’t walked away unscathed."What happened to you?" Chase asked. He didn't wait for a response, instead turning his focus back to Renata. "Last time I came, I was empty-handed. This is for you and Nico," he said, extending the gift bag toward her."Thank you," she replied, accepting the weight of the bag. She glanced toward Domenico, her heart tightening.She knew the pride in his eyes, the kind that re
After they both calmed down, the silence felt heavy to Domenico.He was a man of action, and being confined to these four walls felt more like a prison to him, and by mid-morning, he’d had enough."I'm going out," he announced, starting to shift his weight toward the edge of the bed. "I’m bored of sitting here staring at the ceiling."“No! You can’t just leave like that!” Renata urged, her hands immediately flying to his shoulders to keep him steady. Her eyes were wide with panic. “You are still hurt, Nico. I can’t let you run around in this condition.”Domenico let out a heavy sigh, looking over at Mathew, who had just walked in to check up on him. He knew Renata wouldn't listen to him, so he decided to use the only authority on the doctor.“Mathew, do inform her that I’m very well to walk. My legs are pretty much fine,” Domenico said, throwing a pointed look at the doctor.He had been trying for the last twenty minutes to make her understand that a little movement wouldn't kill him.
“How is he?” Renata asked, her voice filled with worry.“He woke up for a moment, Mathew. He said strange things he’s never mentioned before, and then he just slept again.”Mathew didn't look up immediately; his focus was on checking Domenico’s vitals. After a moment, he straightened, sighing as he adjusted the IV drip.“He’s stable, Renata,” Mathew assured her, his tone calm but firm.“Don’t read too much into the rambling. He was just under the effects of the anesthesia. It’s common for the mind to pull at whatever’s buried deepest when it’s wearing out.”Renata’s hand drifted to her chest, her heart skipping a beat. She looked down at Domenico’s pale, composed face. “I just hope he wakes up soon,” she whispered.Mathew stepped away from the bed and turned to her, his expression softening. “You need to relax, too,” he said, his eyes dropping pointedly to her stomach. “You’re carrying his child, Renata. If your stress levels spike and something happens to you, Domenico… He’ll lose him
Renata sat on the edge of the bed, her eyes fixed on the IV bag. It was half-empty. Emilio’s words echoed in her mind: 'It’s too risky. It’s always been like this.'It all clicked into place. The reason for the locked gates, the constant security, the way she was treated like a fragile porcelain doll, it wasn't just possessiveness. It was for her survival."Is this why?" she whispered into the quiet room, her voice barely audible. "Is that why you never have fun? Why you never let me leave the estate? Why you’re always so... suffocatingly protective?"She reached out, her fingers trembling slightly as she brushed a lock of hair from his forehead. A single tear escaped, tracing a path down her cheek. She didn't wipe it away."I won't ask to go out again," she murmured, her voice steadying with a cold realization. "I understand now. Your world isn't just dangerous. It is like a death. It must have been hard for you all this time."Renata pulled her hand back, needing to keep herself occ
Emilio hauled Domenico from the back seat, bracing the man’s weight against his own frame. He didn't wait for the guard to react; he barked the order before they were even clear of the vehicle."Get over here and help me!"The guard scrambled forward, sliding under Domenico’s good arm to take some of the burden. Domenico’s shoulder was a mess, the fabric of his shirt already saturated with blood. They maneuvered him into the living room, his boots dragging across the floor as they hurried him toward the sofa."Ross!" Emilio shouted, eyes sweeping the hall. "Has the doctor arrived?""He’s on his way, sir," Ross replied immediately, his gaze fixed on the front door."Dammit," Emilio growled, the frustration sharp in his voice. "He should have been here by now."Domenico wheezed, his face drained of color. He leaned heavily into them, struggling to stay conscious. "Relax... I’m fine."The reassurance barely made it out before a fresh spike of agony ripped through his shoulder and down hi
Domenico and Emilio arrived at the designated meeting place, where the air was filled with the scent of cigars and wine.Domenico had been intentionally delaying this meeting for far too long, but in the end, he was out of excuses.He simply didn’t wish to see the faces of such crooks, men who didn’t know anything about loyalty or legacy, but craved power and wealth.Domenico loathed them.He wished to root them out of his business. However, he couldn’t forget that he wasn't powerful enough to sever the ties just yet.For now, he had to play the game and look them in the eye.“My dear Domenico, you are finally here,” a raspy voice called out.An old man, his skin like yellowed parchment, shuffled toward the duo with a smile that didn't reach his predatory eyes. “We requested tons of meetings with you, but only your underling came to see us. Not the real boss.”The old man gestured dismissively toward Emilio.Domenico’s already dark eyes became even darker.The temperature in the room
Reneta really wanted to crack open Domenico’s head and see if he was even in his right mind. The audacity of his words made her blood boil as she rolled her eyes at him, refusing to let him see even a hint of fear on her face.“No thanks,” she said firmly as she took a step back, putting distance b
The phone had no signals. She couldn't even use the internet services. "So, they don't want me to use any online services," Renata murmured. She looked at the contact list and found only two numbers as Emilio mentioned."Why would I even call them?" she tsked and tossed the phone on the mattress.S
Renata was still seething over everything that had happened earlier. No matter what explanation Domenico might have had, the way he had treated her refused to leave her mind. The anger burned inside her chest, restless and sharp.Still, she forced herself to calm down—for the baby growing inside he
Domenico pinched the bridge of his nose as he stepped into the living area.The room had fallen completely silent.Two men were forced to their knees in the center of the floor, their hands tied behind their backs. Their heads hung low, but their bodies trembled visibly.Domenico’s gaze swept over







