Chapter 5 - Morning Light and Bitter Coffee
By sunrise,
the adrenaline had faded,
leaving behind an eerie,
tense quiet across the sprawling estate.
Dominic sat in a leather armchair by the fireplace,
dressed in a crisp black button-down shirt that concealed his bandaged shoulder.
He held a porcelain cup of black coffee in his left hand,
staring silently into the flickering flames.
I stood nearby,
checking his vital signs one last time before my morning shift officially ended.
"Your blood pressure is stabilizing,
" I reported,
writing the numbers down on my clipboard.
"The fever has finally broken,
which means the antibiotics are winning.
"
"You sound surprised,
" Dominic said without looking up from the fire.
"Given how hard you fought me on every single dose,
yes,
I am mildly amazed you're still breathing,
" I replied dryly.
He finally raised his dark eyes,
studying me with an unreadable expression.
"Most people tremble when they are in this room,
Nora.
"
"Most people don't have an eviction notice taped to their apartment door with a thirty-day deadline,
" I countered,
crossing my arms.
"Fear is a luxury I traded away the day my hospital position was terminated.
"
Dominic set his coffee cup down on the marble table with a sharp clink.
"How much is the rent?" he asked abruptly.
"That's none of your business,
Mr.
Rossi.
"
"Everything inside this mountain is my business,
including the financial worries of my personal nurse.
"
"I'm a professional,
not a charity case,
" I snapped,
my temper finally flaring up.
"I earn my paycheck through grueling shifts and dealing with stubborn,
bullet-riddled crime lords.
"
A faint,
dangerous smirk touched his lips.
"I respect pride,
" he murmured softly.
"But stubbornness without backup gets people killed in my world.
"
Before I could fire back a sharp retort,
a knock echoed at the door and Leo entered holding a heavy manila envelope.
"Boss,
reports from our contacts in downtown are coming in,
" Leo said,
casting a sideways glance at me.
"Speak freely,
Leo,
" Dominic commanded,
never breaking eye contact with me.
"Vince has seized control of three major shipping docks on the harbor,
May you like
and he's telling everyone you're dead.
"
