✧

DOMINIC

The guy Stefano brought in was the usual arrogant scumbag, but he took Dominic's beating with surprising grace.

He believed the man enjoyed being wounded.

Whatever.

Dominic received an extra boost of raw, pure energy from the pills. He could ride this wave for a very long time if he doesn't do anything stupid with the medicine's ingredients.

After Roman helped the man to his feet, Dominic looked at Stefano for feedback. He crossed his arms over his chest and placed his back against the counter.

"What?" Dominic asked.

He shrugged one shoulder. "You feeling better?"

"Like a million bucks."

"That's fair." Stefano straightened up and continued to look at him. "So, what are you going to do now?"

The plan—the fucked-up plan.

He turned around and ran his hand through his hair. "I'm on my way to Milan."

"To the villa that you bought for Amelia?"

Dominic nodded.

"That's a terrific idea. If you go somewhere other than New York, you'll be fine." Stefano paused. "Is Claudia coming along?"

He just looked at him and wondered what the heck he was going to say. But it was Stefano and strange things often happened when he was around. "She's going to her apartment."

Stefano's eyebrows shot up. "And what for?"

"Her family left her a few things before they died. They are very important to her."

"I'm gonna guess you're not okay with that. With her returning to what she left?" He let out a chuckle at Dominic's silence. "You're such a jackass. You're not good enough for her."

"For once, we agree on something."

Stefano shook his head as he looked at him. "So you're not at all interested in going with her, then?"

"Isn't that obvious?"

Stefano climbed up on the counter and stretched his legs over the edge. "If you ask me, that's rude of you. She cares about the things she left at home, and so should you. If you would kill to protect her, it's clear that she's important to you. Furthermore, not taking her to her apartment would be unsafe."

Dominic scowled and questioned, "Are you ever not self-righteous?"

"When are you not a selfish jerk?" he urged. "Since Amelia died, you've become a heartless person."

Dominic clenched his jaw. "If your life has any value to you, you will never accuse me of being selfish."

"Hey." Stefano held up a hand. "What I'm trying to get at is that you may be a support system for her. You're the one she can trust. If something happened to Claudia, would you be okay with that?"

He snorted. "She has a death wish."

"Are you seriously going to let her go by herself?"

His mouth dropped open, but he said nothing. Dominic knew that saying yes was the appropriate and wise response, but he just couldn't bring himself to utter it.

But he already knew the truth. The thought of her leaving without him was unbearable. Never in his wildest dreams would he allow that to happen. He'd never forgive himself if he wasn't with her when she needed him.

Stefano frowned thoughtfully. "Perhaps I have misinterpreted everything."

Dominic's anger had returned. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"How you feel about her, Nicco."

"Okay?" When Stefano stood by, Dominic had to restrain himself from punt-kicking him off the bar. "Fuck. Why should you care about us?"

He shrugged again. "I saw the spark between you two. It seeped into the office. It's a bad idea to send her off on her own. I figured you cared more about how her well-being."

"Why would you think that?"

His brows shot up.

"I'm in the Mafia, Stefano. Normal men have feelings, but I don't. They weren't real if I did." When Dominic came stomping up to where he was sitting, Stefano merely smiled at him as Dominic continued. "She can handle herself."

He scoffed with a low, "You love her," and Dominic knew what he was getting at. "You risked your life to protect her from your father's guards. You have just invited war upon yourself since you have murdered an entire group of siblings. I could be wrong, but I think that means something."

"Why are you hounding me about this?"

He leaned his head to one side carefully. "Because you have such a thick skull, and someone needs to break through to you, Nicco. After ten years, you've moved on. That's good."

Dominic's eyes narrowed. "Yeah. Maybe. But I'm living my life the way I want to."

He laughed. "What I'm trying to get across is that you understand what it means. You refuse to believe it since you've involved her in a love triangle with my late sister."

"Why don't you do me a favor and save your breath, you little twerp?"

Stefano glanced at him subtly, hopped down, and headed back toward the office. "You've always been pretty thick-headed."

Dominic considered hurling him across the club for a split second. "Stefano."

"Nicco..."

"And for the record, I didn't bring her into a love triangle. Even though Amelia is physically gone, I feel her spirit with me all the time. I can't let her go."

Stefano spared him a quick grin as he opened the office door. Claudia, beyond him, slipped off the couch and looked questioningly at Dominic, then at Stefano.

She clasped her hands together. "Did everything go... all right?"

"Mr. Wonderful is happy and all set," Stefano said, and Dominic let out a deep sigh. "So, you're heading to your apartment?"

She cast a glance at Dominic. "Yes, but I won't be there for very long."

"Where is it?" Stefano asked.

"A few blocks from Dominic's company."

"And how are you getting there?" he continued.

The air surrounding them stiffened as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other. "I guess I'll have to hitchhike."

Stefano cracked a grin. "Well, flying there is too risky. You can't do that, Ms. Marcello. But if you need a ride, I have a few extra cars you can use, as well as some money for meals and fuel. Getting there will take you just over four hours from here."

"Wait a second," Dominic murmured as he moved between them. "You're going to give my woman a car and money to go to her apartment?"

Innocently, Stefano batted his eyes.

THAT LITTLE CUNT!

"I supplied you with medication and a human punching bag."

"That's not what I meant," he growled. "It's dangerous—"

"Then bring her there," Stefano threw out as he turned back to Claudia. "That is if this pretty woman even wants you to escort her. If she didn't, that would be completely fine with me. I'll have someone drive her there instead."

"For fuck's sake, I hope not."

"Well, the ball is in your court, Domino."

"Domino?" Dominic scoffed.

"Oh. I'm sorry. Mr. Wonderful," Stefano joked.

"Claudia is not going to New York with—"

"She is standing right here, buddy." It was almost funny how close she came to him. "If I remember correctly, you have no say at all in this, Dom."

Dominic stared at her. Claudia had lost her mind.

Her chin was stubbornly sticking out, and her eyes were a vivid shade of brown. She appeared intent on strangling him.

So fucking sexy.

"Perhaps I'll let you two discuss this." Stefano took a few steps backward toward the door, standing idly.

She crossed her arms. "We're done arguing about this."

They exchanged glances, and Stefano quickly excused himself, much to her disappointment. It caused Claudia to huff and puff. "There is nothing to discuss," she said.

Dominic struggled against the temptation to kiss her as he leaned against the desk because he was so desperate to get her in his arms this minute. Right now, he didn't think she was in the mood for that. "You shouldn't take the chance."

"This disagreement is stupid." With a hand running through her hair, Claudia turned away. "You made your point last night, and I made mine. I'm going whether you want me to or not."

"I understand why you want to go back, but it's not the best thing to do."

She faced him, brows lowered. "So I take it you're not trying to stop me?"

Good observation. "No, because we'll travel together."

Her jaw dropped, and, yep, that comment caught her off guard. No way in hell would he have gone there just seconds ago, but Stefano was right about her needing an escort.

Her head shook slightly. "You said that going to New York was foolish and suicidal."

"And also unnecessary since I can take you later," he said. "But I can't let you do this by yourself."

Her irises popped out. "Why? You seemed to be very confident in your decision last night and today."

Her statement completely stumped him for an answer.

"Is it because Stefano was giving me a way to get there? Do you feel a shred of empathy right this minute?" She laughed then. "Do people in the Mafia ever experience regret?"

"Sometimes."

Her eyes rolled. "Look, I don't want you coming along just to prove a point or because you feel pressured."

"I promise you, I'm not acting this way out of obligation."

Claudia's mouth pinched, and she shook her head once again. "Our contract doesn't matter anymore. Remember?"

"Of course."

She gave him a blank face, as though he had just suggested humping her leg. Maybe he should stop talking and think before he replies.

After a few sharp breaths, Claudia made her way toward the door. "My personal life is none of your business, Dominic. Not anymore. I appreciate your help immensely. But there's no reason for you to put your life in danger because of something irrelevant to you."

"Wait." He stepped forward until he was facing her, then put his arms around her. "I'm doing this all wrong."

She arched a brow. "What gave that away?"

He took a deep breath.

"I'm going to tell you the truth, Claudia. I have no idea what is happening to me mentally. Since Amelia died, I've been having thoughts I never had before, and falling in love with you is one of them. I say the wrong shit, and I'm sorry. Can we please start over?"

She stared at him before giving a slow nod. "Okay."

"I wouldn't have let you travel alone. If I said that, I was hoping you wouldn't leave me behind. To be safe with me, I urged you to go to Italy. You might get hurt in New York, so I didn't want you going. It's unsafe, and the idea just makes me uncomfortable."

Shit.

His next move will be to take her hand and begin a conversation about unicorns and rainbows.

Fuck me.

"Listen, Dia, I get it. I oppose this trip, but I'll be there with you, and then we can travel to Italy together."

Her throat worked. "All of that is... very modest," she said.

He sighed.

She let out a little giggle. "It's not a bad thing, you know?"

"What?"

"Giving up your pride for the person you love."

She leaned her head back and was silent for a second.

"What does this mean? You've already put yourself through a lot to protect me, and now you're doing it again. And you want me to go to Italy with you." Two bright pink spots appeared on her cheeks. "If I didn't know better, I'd think that despite your feelings for me, you're still reluctant to show them. You like it when I draw that emotion out of you."

He felt as though a serpent had coiled around his gut. What she said about how his feelings controlled his life was accurate. She found humor in what was a confused look on his face.

"You're right, as always."

"Compromises," she told him. "We'll figure out a way to work together on this."

"Sounds like a plan."

"Good," she said with a grin. "Let's take things slow. Both emotionally and physically, we still have a long way to go."

"We do, Dia." He paused. "If it is not too much trouble, I have one request."

Claudia shook her head, squinting her eyes. "What is it?"

He sucked in a breath and exhaled. "If a store sells tulips, I'd like to pick up some."

"Oh. Yes, of course. Why do you need them?"

"For Amelia," he whispered. "Since you release balloons for your late parents, I thought about doing something similar for her. She loved tulips." Dominic grasped her hand as he stiffened. "I planned on putting them down next to a tree. She adored nature."

"I admire that about her. I'm the same way."

He nodded slightly while caressing her cheek. "I'll be fine if you don't want to do this with me. When we get to Italy, I'll take care of it then."

"No, Dominic. It's okay."

"Are you sure?"

She smiled slightly. "Yes. It's about time you stopped wallowing and moved on."

He chuckled at her comment. "Dia, you're amazing. Do you know that?"

"You, too, are incredible, Dom. Like I said before, we have to compromise to work together. "

"Yeah."

"Thank you for going with me," she added. "We'll only be in my apartment for a few minutes. I know exactly what I want to gather and where they are."

Dominic kissed her palm. "You don't have to thank me. Let's get this done and over with so that we can begin our lives together."

Claudia's lips curled upward. "That's the best plan you've ever had, Dom."

"Shush. We don't want anyone else to hear you," he said.

"And why is that?"

"Because it's not good for my ego."

"Oh, right. We can't spoil that. Your ego is out of this world."

"Okay... okay. We need to get going now."

"Yes, sir."

Moving closer to her ear, Dominic whispered, "I love it when you talk like that."

"I know you do," she said, squeezing his hand. "After things have settled down, there will be more of it to come."

"Mmm. I can't wait."

"Same here, Dom. Same here."

✧

Ah, the four-chapter finale is coming up. Many surprising elements await. Thank you for reading. :)