Chapter 9:The Date & The Problem

Dominic’s POV

I snapped shut the folder and blew a long breathout through my nose. Elena Monroe wasn’tsupposed to be in there. That was all thatmattered.

If she heard something, she was a liability.

If not, she was just an inconvenience.

Either way, I was going to deal with it.

I flicked my gaze up to Leo. “You know what—Get her.”

To his credit, Leo didn’t bother to ask—he justnodded once and was halfway out the door.

He paused then as if recalling something.

“Oh, and boss? You’ve got a date tonight.”

Right. That.

I didn’t look up. “Cancel it.”

Leo snorted. “It’s that model you let the Bratvaset you up with. The one sending you selfies.”

My jaw twitched. Right. The blonde.

Another girl with too much filler and not anounce of personality. Not dumb, she thoughtmoney could buy my interest.

She couldn’t.

She wanted the thrill of sitting across the tablefrom a man she should fear.

And I wanted to see just how far she could getbefore she realized how real the danger was.

I opened and closed my lighter again. “Fine.”

Leo smiled. “I thought you would. I’ll get thecar prepped.”

I waved him off, already further ahead in myown thoughts.

By the time I returned from this date, ElenaMonroe would be in my basement.

And I’d find out exactly what she knew.

Or she wouldn’t leave alive.

___________________________________________________

The restaurant was high-scale and private,populated with people that had more moneythan common sense.

In I walked, with no word, and my men hoveredjust outside.

She was already there.

Long blonde hair, legs crossed, red lips pursedas she sipped on some wine she possiblycouldn’t even name.

Her eyes lit up at the sight of me.

I didn’t return it.

“Dominic,” she purred, reaching for my arm.

I let her touch me but did not react. She wanteda game. I did not play.

“I ordered for us,” she continued, flipping herhair. “Hope that’s okay.”

“Fine.”

She smiled, teeth too white: “You’re a hard manto get a hold of.”

I sipped my whiskey. “Mm.”

“I’ve heard a lot about you,” she continued.“You’re quite a mystery.”

I set my glass down. “Mm.”

For a flicker of irritation, she managed to coverit with another smile. “You’re not much of atalker, huh?”

“No.”

Her laughter was a bit stiff. “Well, that’s fine. Ican do the talking.”

I nodded once.

And tuned her out.

I let her yatter on while I thought of somethingfar more pressing.

Elena.

Right now, she was either stuffed into the trunkof one of my cars or already locked in mybasement. Either way, her future was sealed.

The only remaining question was—would sheleave alive?

The blonde was still talking.

Not that I was listening.

Dinner was at some overpriced restaurant in afive-star hotel—one of those places where foodlooked like art, and the bill looked like arobbery. Not that I cared.

I had the steak; she had something green. I justdidn’t care which.

She was still talking.

“…and then I told him, ‘Babe, if you can’tafford the yacht, why even bother?’” Shelaughed, twirling a piece of her hair. “Like,seriously, what is with guys these days?”

I took a sip of whiskey.

The answer was none of my concern.

She leaned in, resting her hand over mine.“You’re different, though. You don’t need toprove yourself to anyone.”

Wrong answer.

Men like me were always needing to provesomething.

Before I could answer—not that I intended to—a voice from behind me cut in.

“Shut your bitch up.”

Silence.

Not in the whole restaurant, but at this table?Absolute. Fucking. Silence.

I didn’t flinch. Didn’t react. I let the wordspenetrate.

Then slightly turned my head up.

The guy standing there was unknown to me.Middle forties, expensive suit, bad hair.Someone with just enough clout to think hemattered but not enough to know he didn't.

Then I heard it.

A harsh snort.

A few steps away, a waitress was letting somelaughter loose.

With the audacity.

I turned back to the blonde. She lookedoffended. Like she expected me to get up andfight for her honor.

I almost smirked.

Instead, I stood up and adjusted my cuffs. “Waithere.”

She nodded eagerly.

And then frowned. “Wait—”

The name.

For the first time that night, I tried to rememberit.

Nothing.

I exhaled through my nose. “Wait.”

She was pleased enough with that.

Stepping away, I pulled out my phone and madeone call.

Two minutes later, I returned, sat down, pickedup my whiskey, and stared.

The waitress who laughed? Fired, just like that.

The speaker? Security was dragging him outthrough the restaurant.

The hotel?

Mine. Just bought it.

The blonde gawped. “You… You just boughtthe whole hotel?”

I took another sip of whiskey. “Mm.”

She blinked. “Seriously? Just like that?”

I held her gaze, tilting my head. “Did you thinkI was joking?”

Her lips parted, but no sound came out.

Then my phone vibrated.

Leo.

“We got her.”

I put down the glass.

Dinner was over.

Standing, I threw bills onto the table: more thanenough to pay for whatever nonsense she’dordered.

“Dominic?” A bit unsure now, she asked.“Where are you going?”

I adjusted my cuffs again, casting her a glance.“I have business to attend to.”

Her mouth twisted. “So that’s it? You wine anddine me, then leave?”

I smiled. “ I'm not really in the mood to makeyour legs tremble”

Her mouth dropped open.

I turned and walked away.

My men flanked me, and by the time we got tothe car, my thoughts were already on ElenaMonroe.

By morning, I'd know exactly what she knew.

And if I didn't like it?

She wouldn’t see morning.