Chapter 6 - The Enforcer's Arrival
The news that Vince had seized the harbor docks sent a ripple of absolute tension through the room.
Dominic stood up from his armchair with fluid grace,
though a faint wince betrayed the pain in his right shoulder.
"He's moving faster than I anticipated,
" Dominic muttered,
buttoning his cuffs.
"He thinks a wounded lion can't bite back,
" Leo added,
his hand resting on the grip of his sidearm.
"He's about to find out how wrong he is,
" Dominic replied coldly.
He turned his gaze toward me,
his dark eyes locking onto mine.
"Nora,
your shift ends in an hour,
but you aren't leaving this estate.
"
"Excuse me?" I stepped forward,
my voice rising in disbelief.
"My lease is downtown,
and I need to pack my things before Monday!"
"Vince's men know you entered this estate last night,
" Dominic stated matter-of-factly.
"If you step outside these gates right now,
they will intercept your car within ten minutes to get to me through you.
"
"You are safer locked inside a fortress with a wounded mafia boss than you are in your own apartment.
"
The brutal reality of his words hit me like a splash of freezing water.
I was trapped in a criminal stronghold because a power-hungry syndicate enforcer thought I was an asset worth targeting.
"This is kidnapping,
Mr.
Rossi,
" I whispered,
my heart hammering against my ribs.
"This is survival,
" he corrected,
stepping closer until the sheer height difference between us was intimidating.
"Leo,
wire ten thousand dollars into Ms.
Hayes's bank account immediately to cover her rent and moving expenses.
"
"Consider it a hazard bonus for working in a war zone.
"
"I don't want your dirty money,
" I shot back,
my cheeks burning with fierce pride.
"It's not dirty money,
it's earned money,
" Dominic countered smoothly.
"Now,
go downstairs and have the cook make you breakfast,
because we have a war to plan.
"
I glared at him with pure defiance,
May you like
but deep down,
I knew he held all the winning cards.
