Chapter 7 - Dominic
I leaned back in my chair, staring at the clock as the workday came to an end. Emily hadn’t shown up, but honestly, I didn’t expect her to, especially after Seb told me she’d been at his bar drinking. Part of me felt a strange relief that it was Seb’s bar and not some other place. At least there, I knew she was safe, not at some dive where someone could take advantage of her. The thought of someone hurting her made my blood run cold. If anything had happened to her, I wouldn’t have been able to forgive myself.
The marriage proposal… it was the only way to get things moving, to force my hand. But if I was being completely honest, it wasn’t just about strategy. There was something deeper, something selfish. I had this growing, undeniable need to claim her, to keep her close, to have her by my side. And after the bar incident, that need multiplied tenfold, protecting her, keeping her safe, it consumed me. I couldn’t explain it, but what started as a mild obsession with Emily had evolved into something I couldn’t ignore.
By now, I knew more about her than I probably should. Some of it I’d picked up from watching her at the office, the way she brushed her hair behind her ear when she was focused, how she frowned slightly when she was deep in thought. And the rest? Well, the information from Craig filled in the gaps. Bits and pieces of her life, things she probably wouldn’t think anyone cared enough to notice, but I did. It was like I’d been piecing together a puzzle, and each new piece just made me want her more.
Earlier, Craig had informed me that since she got home yesterday, she hadn’t left the house and I couldn’t help but worry about her.
I shook off the lingering worry as I drove home, focusing on what needed to be done. By the time I pulled into the driveway at 5 p.m., the sight of the cars lined, Axel's included was surprising. Axel was late for everything. But not today. And I had a feeling everyone’s early arrival had less to do with our scheduled meeting about Victor and more to do with... other matters.
Damage control over Victor’s smear campaign was already in full swing. Leo had sent a lawyer’s letter with a firm warning about defamation, reminding Victor of the contract he’d signed. It clearly stated that if ties with Quantum Tech were severed, not only would any clients he brought into the company be off-limits, but all current Quantum Tech clients and those associated with its subsidiaries, including my brothers’ companies were strictly prohibited as well. I’d made sure of that. As a businessman, I had to protect my assets, knowing a day like this might come.
Meanwhile, Vincent had taken the media by storm, flooding blogs and interviews with positive press for Quantum Tech. Damage control was in motion, but knowing my brothers, tonight’s meeting wouldn’t be focused solely on business. The marriage proposal was bound to dominate the conversation.
After all, Axel had been there when it happened, and Seb? Seb never held back when it came to updates. He called me as soon as Kristi had picked Emily up, mentioning she’d been upset and had muttered something about marriage. Still, Seb hadn’t questioned me directly. Why bother over the phone when he could corner me here? By now, he and Axel would’ve filled in the others and they would’ve formed their own opinions.
I parked, took a steadying breath, and headed inside.
The atmosphere in the living room hit me the moment I stepped in. Seb, Nate, and Vince were scattered across the couches, their hushed tones ceasing as I entered. Leo stood near the bar cart, a glass of scotch in hand. They looked serious like someone had died.
“Hey, guys.”
A chorus of “Hey” greeted me, subdued but familiar.
“Where’s Axel? I saw his car outside,” I asked, scanning the room.
Seb smirked faintly, breaking the tension. “He’s upstairs playing tea party with Lucy.”
At least they were smart to have someone look after Lucy while they gossiped about me.
Leo glanced up from his glass, his tone brisk. “Mrs. Kay has already retired for the night, but she said your dinner’s in the microwave.”
I nodded, neither offering thanks nor lingering for small talk, and headed upstairs. A hot shower first. Then I’d check on Lucy. Maybe seeing her would make the rest of this night bearable.
After my shower, I quickly dressed and made my way to Lucy's room, phone in hand. I pushed the door open slightly and almost burst out laughing at the sight inside. Axel was wearing a pink tutu draped around his neck, a plastic tiara perched on his head, and clip-on earrings dangling from his ears. The best part? The dead-serious look on Lucy's face as she scolded him.
“Not like that, Uncle Axel,” she said sternly. “Hold out your pinkie like this when you drink the tea.” She demonstrated with exaggerated precision, raising her tiny pinkie in the air.
“Like this?” Axel asked, mimicking her.
Lucy grinned widely. “Yes! Just like that. Cheers!”
They clinked their cups together in a ceremonious toast, and the scene was too cute not to capture. I snapped a few pictures before clearing my throat.
Axel looked up, startled, while Lucy ran toward me. “Daddy!”
I scooped her up, kissing her cheek. “Hey, pumpkin. How was your day?”
“It was okay,” she said, snuggling into my chest.
“I see you and Uncle Axel are having a tea party,” I teased, nodding toward Axel, who was still in full royal regalia.
“Yup!” she replied proudly.
With Mrs. Kay already in bed, I realized Lucy would need someone to keep an eye on her during the meeting. No doubt Mrs. Kay assumed the guys were just dropping by informally.
“Hey, Axel,” I said, “do you mind staying with Lucy until the meeting’s over? Mrs. Kay’s already in bed, and I don’t want to disturb her.”
Axel smirked and gestured at his outfit. “Sure, no problem. I’m already dressed the part.”
I chuckled. “Thanks. Lucy, after the meeting, we’ll grab some ice cream and watch a movie. How does that sound?”
Her eyes lit up. “Okay, Daddy!”
I kissed her forehead, set her down, and left the room, checking the time as I walked to the kitchen. 5:45. At least I had time for a quick dinner before the meeting started. Even though it was at home, I wasn’t one to be late.
By 6 p.m. sharp, I gathered my brothers in the conference room attached to my home office. The room was large and modern, with a sleek conference table that typically hosted meetings that were too sensitive to discuss at the office. Tonight, it became the battleground for our family’s strategy session. I sat at the head of the table, while Nate and Vince sat to the right of me and Seb and Leo to the left.
The first hour passed in a blur of business talk. Seb, as methodical as ever, analyzed potential moves and long-term repercussions of Victor's actions. Meanwhile, Nate, always quick on his feet, proposed ways to capitalize on the bad press. He suggested specific offers to attract new clients while reassuring the loyal ones. His plan was simple, turn the negativity into an opportunity. Leo made sure everything we wanted to do was legal or at least had loopholes we could twist to our advantage, and Vince shared his ideas on how he’d work the media angle.
By 7:30, we had wrapped up business. Everyone knew what their role was moving forward.
Finally, Nate gave me a look, a silent acknowledgment that the next topic, the one we’d all been avoiding, was ready to surface. He spoke, his voice carrying an underlying challenge. “Alright, now that the business side of things is over…” He paused, his words hanging in the air. “Are we going to address the elephant in the room?”
The air in the room shifted as all eyes turned to me
Nate’s glare was sharp, but it was Seb who exploded. “Dom, are you seriously forcing Emily to marry you? The fight is between you and Victor. She’s just a girl with her whole life ahead of her.”
I leaned forward, voice cold as steel. “I’m not forcing her. She has two choices: pay me fifty million dollars or marry me.”
Seb shook his head, frustration seeping into his words. “Really? Didn’t you make it clear that if she didn’t marry you that she’d never find a job in this industry? So, even if she does pay the fifty mil, she has to give up something she loves!”
“I’m a businessman, Seb, you know this. The deal was to favor me, not Ms. Montgomery.”
Leo’s calm tone cut in. “McGuire’s been with us long enough. Talk to him, Dom. We know you can settle this without dragging her into it.”
I locked eyes with him, my jaw tightening. “I am dragging her into it. If I let Victor’s stunt slide, I’ll look weak. Others will follow. I will not allow that to happen.”
Seb’s eyes darkened. “If she marries you, it’s one of two things: Victor’s using her as a pawn, to get to you or he abandoned her. Either way, this will wreck her. Kristi said Emily doesn’t drink, but Emily was at my lounge drinking herself numb. What do you think marrying you will do to her?”
His words landed like a punch and for a fleeting moment the image of Emily, hurting, vulnerable, and spiraling because of something I’d set in motion, stabbed at me. But I forced it down. This wasn’t about emotions.
Still, Seb wasn’t wrong. Victor might use Emily as leverage, and play her against me. My jaw clenched as I made a mental note: double-check the security protocols, strengthen the firewalls, and keep my critical documents out of reach at home.
But damn it, even as I rationalized it, the thought of Emily being a casualty of this war, it lingered. I couldn’t let her destroy herself over me. And yet, I couldn’t let her go, either.
“She can pay me the money,” I said flatly, “Or the marriage happens. I’ll leave her career intact…for now. And if any of you try to cover her debt, you’ll answer to me.”
I stood, ready to end the meeting. My decision was made, and no one here could change my mind.
Vince opened his mouth. “But you can’t just—”
“Can’t just what ?” I snapped, my voice like a whip. “Do what I have to do? This isn’t a charity. Victor’s betrayal cost us billions!”
“But, Dom, bringing her into your home, around Lucy? Hiring her as your PA was one thing. But this?” Leo’s voice was laced with disappointment.
“This is business,” I shot back, the finality in my tone daring them to challenge me. “Emily’s just collateral. Part of the deal.”
Nate shook his head, disgusted. “As much as I hate Victor, this isn’t right. She’s not a pawn piece. She’s a person, Dom.”
A bitter laugh escaped me, sharp and humorless. “Not a pawn? That’s exactly what she is. And soon... she’ll be mine.”
Mine, the thought burned. I wanted her in ways I didn’t want to admit, not even to myself. But weakness wasn’t an option. Not here. Not now.
Seb slammed his hands on the table and stood up, fury blazing in his eyes. “This isn’t a chess game, Dom. You’re forcing her into something she doesn’t want.”
“And what would you have me do? Let Victor think he’s won? I won’t.”
Seb’s fists clenched, his knuckles bone white. “And if she hates you for it? What then? What will that make you?”
I met his rage head-on, my voice icy. “The devil? I’ll wear that crown if it gets me what I want.”
Seb snapped, his fist swinging wide, but Leo caught him, holding him back.
“You’ve lost it, Seb,” I sneered, stepping closer. “You think you can swing at me in my house? You’re insane.”
Leo stepped between us as Nate and Vince rushed around the table, grabbing hold of Seb, their grips barely containing his fury. His voice cracked with rage. “What’s insane is you having a daughter and not giving a damn about someone else’s. What if Victor retaliates? And uses Lucy as a pawn? You could lose everything.”
Seb’s breath hitched as he wrenched free from their hold, his chest heaving. “I’ve supported everything you’ve ever done, but this?” His eyes faltered, the anger giving way to something deeper, disappointment. He inhaled sharply as though it pained him to say it. “I can’t support this.”
He stormed out, the door slamming with such force that the room trembled.
Silence fell like a guillotine. The others exchanged uneasy glances, but none dared to speak.
I stood frozen, my stomach coiled tight, but I refused to let the guilt show.
“I’m done here,” I said, my voice low and lethal. Without a backward glance, I strode out, my footsteps echoing like the final nails in a coffin.
I turned and exited the room, heading for my bedroom. I needed to cool off before seeing Lucy. I had to get my mind straight. I couldn’t afford any weaknesses right now. Not when everything was so close to falling into place.
Emily… just wait. You’ll be mine soon enough.
The next day, I had Leo draw up a document, ready to serve Emily, ready to sue her for the damages of the lost contract. I hated this. Hated that we were at this point, but I needed everyone to see that I wasn’t backing down. Tension between my brothers and me wasn’t something I liked, but it was what it was. We’d been down this path before. They never let our differences get in the way of their love for Lucy, and they knew they could see her anytime they wished. It was the only thing that kept the balance.
By the third day, Craig called to inform me that Emily had left home. It wasn’t a victory yet, but it was progress. I leaned back in my chair, anticipation coiling in my chest as I pictured her walking into my office. It was only a matter of time.
An hour later, Emily stormed into my office, her eyes blazing with a fury I hadn’t seen before. Her steps were quick, almost frantic, as she marched toward my desk.
I didn’t bother looking up at first, letting her seethe in silence.
Finally, I lifted my gaze, allowing a smug smirk to curl at the corner of my lips. “Ms. Montgomery,” I drawled, the tone casual, like I wasn’t about to win this little game of ours. “I’m assuming you’ve got my fifty-million-dollar check tucked away in your purse, ready to hand over?”
Her eyes narrowed, lips pressed tight in frustration, but when she spoke, her words were sharp. “I’m moving forward with your proposal.” She stepped closer, each word an icy declaration. “I’ll marry you.”
It wasn’t like she had a choice but it was nice to hear it from her mouth.
My smirk widened, “Well then,” I said, my voice dripping with fake cheer, “let’s get on with the preparations.”
She turned sharply and stormed out, leaving the door ajar behind her. I let out a low chuckle, my gaze lingering on the door.
Checkmate.