BURNING EMPIRE
Matteo climbed the steps slowly, hands slightly damp, hiding the shake in his legs.
He told himself to act normal. Be sharp. Be useful.
Be nothing.
When he entered the room, Dominic was seated on the black leather couch, shirt unbuttoned at the throat, sleeves rolled to the elbows, shadows cutting sharp across his face from the dim blue light.
He didn’t speak for a full minute.
Just stared.
Then:
“Sit.”
Matteo obeyed.
The silence stretched.
“You’ve been working hard,” Dominic said finally.
“Trying not to get fired,” Matteo answered quietly.
Hot Chapters