Chapter 13 - Dominic
I leaned back in my office chair, my gaze drifting to the cityscape beyond the window, though my focus wasn’t on the view. The Monday morning hum of the office buzzed faintly outside my closed door, but my thoughts were tangled in the weekend. Specifically, in her.
Saturday had been... rough. The tension between us started with the conversation at the gazebo and escalated at the gym. But Sunday was different. It started early, at 5:30 a.m., at the gym. Emily was already there when I arrived. I replayed those small details in my mind, the steady rhythm of her breath, the subtle flex of her muscles, the way she exhaled forcefully after each set, etched into my memory.
After our session, we quickly whipped up some oatmeal before heading to the showers.
Later, I was lounging in the living room when Emily walked in, her hair still damp from the shower, wearing baggy sweatpants and an oversized sweater. But something about the way she hid behind the loose fabric made me pause. It dawned on me that she wasn’t just wearing those clothes for comfort. She was hiding those curves, that beauty she was insecure about and didn’t seem to want to embrace. She deserved to feel confident, and I was going to make sure she did. I decided that I’d take her shopping soon, not to change her, but to show her she could be her most confident self in anything she wore, or nothing at all, if I had my say.
The rest of the day unfolded in ways I hadn’t expected. Emily suggested a movie marathon, and by the time she settled onto the couch, her messy bun and no-fuss outfit made her more captivating than any movie star. As the hours passed, I stopped pretending to care about the screen. I was too focused on her. The way her nose crinkled when she laughed, the way she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear without thinking, or how her voice became animated when defending her favorite characters. It was like a movie of her own, but more vivid, more real. I found myself comparing her presence to the characters on the screen, realizing she was far more vibrant than any Hollywood creation.
By 5 p.m., Emily announced it was time to clean up. “Lucy will be home soon, and if she sees this mess, we’ll never hear the end of it.”
“I like the way you think,” I teased.
We worked quickly, stuffing bags of chips and candy wrappers into the trash, wiping down the table, and fluffing the couch cushions like two kids covering up evidence of late-night snacking.
When we were done, Emily sighed in relief. “Crisis averted,” she declared.
“For now,” I quipped, earning a playful shove.
Then she took charge in the kitchen, insisting on cooking dinner. I couldn’t help but notice everything about her movements, how graceful she looked as she chopped vegetables, how the light from the kitchen overhead caught the subtle curve of her neck. She hummed softly to herself, a quiet melody that seemed to fill the room.
Dinner was simple but perfect, just like her. We laughed together at the counter, reliving the ridiculous moments of our movie marathon, but all I could think about was the way she felt so... much like home.
I couldn’t shake the doubt creeping into my mind. I was afraid. Afraid to let anyone else in. After everything Olivia had done, after what Victor had put me through... how could I trust my feelings? How could I let someone get this close again?
But damn it, I felt it. And despite all my fears, despite the walls I’d built around myself, I couldn’t deny how I felt about her.
And that scared me more than anything.
This morning found us back at the gym, another 5:30 a.m. start. As we worked out side by side, I found myself stealing glances. Watching her push herself harder, I felt something I couldn’t quite name, pride, admiration, awe. She was incredible. And I knew I’d do whatever it took to make her see that too.
Now, back in my office, those details, those small, perfect moments that made her who she was.
My phone buzzed, pulling me out of my thoughts. I glanced at the screen—Donovan.
“Donovan, what’s going on?”
“We’ve received another threat,” he said, his voice clipped, professional, but edged with tension. “This one’s different. It’s no longer just directed at you. Now, they’ve mentioned Emily... and your business.”
My jaw tightened. The threats had always been towards me, exposing my secret about how I gained my wealth. Why the change?
“What exactly does the message say?” I asked, trying to keep my voice even.
Donovan continued. “They said they’d make an example of those you cherish most, naming Emily outright if you didn’t deposit a sum on one billion dollars to an offshore account. They’ve been watching her, closely. And as for your company? They’ve outlined plans to dismantle it piece by piece, starting with projects that bear your name.”
I felt my pulse quicken. Threats to me? That was something I’d been prepared for. But to bring Emily into this? To target the business? That was a line I couldn’t let anyone cross.
I knew better than anyone that if you gave into a demand like that they’ll only come back for more.
“Any leads on where this is coming from?” I asked, my voice sharp. “We need to know who’s behind this.”
“We’ve checked all our leads, but it’s a dead end so far. The messages are coming from multiple locations, bouncing between servers and masked by different emails. Whoever’s behind this knows how to cover their tracks.”
I clenched my fists, my jaw tightening. “Keep digging. I don’t care what it takes. I need answers.”
“We’re on it,” Donovan assured me. “We’ll have a clearer picture soon, but I wanted to bring this to you immediately.”
I nodded. “Make sure Emily’s covered on all fronts. Her schedule, her movements—everything. I want the best protection around her. And lock down the business systems tighter than we’ve ever done before.”
“Understood. I’ll have an undercover team at your office immediately to reinforce the perimeter.”
“Good. Keep this between us for now. No one else gets word of this.”
“Of course, sir.”
As I ended the call a cold tension settled in my chest. The warning bells inside me were deafening. The threat wasn’t just aimed at me anymore, it was about Emily, my wife, and the business I’d worked so damn hard to build. The game had changed. The stakes were higher than I’d ever imagined.
If the business took a hit, it would sting, sure, as it would ripple through my brothers’ businesses too, by association. People would start whispering, looking at my brothers differently, questioning their involvement. They’d all feel the fallout... but we’d survive.
But if anything happened to Emily? I ran my fingers through my hair as I paced the office, the weight of the thought sinking deeper. I couldn’t afford to lose her.
Then a new thought crept in, like a shadow at the back of my mind. Could it be… them ? But why now?
The more I thought about it, the more I knew it had to be them.
My rise to success wasn’t exactly born from a fairytale. It was the kind of story people didn’t want to hear, the kind of story that would make everyone think twice about shaking my hand if they knew the truth.
Years ago, when I was struggling to make my mark, I was nobody. No connections, no credibility, nothing. Every pitch I made was rejected. Every door slammed in my face. Investors weren’t interested in an idea, they wanted pedigree. They wanted names they could trust. But I had none of that.
That’s when I found them . They offered me the capital, the connections, the resources. It was dirty money, the kind of money that would ruin everything if anyone ever found out. But I took it. I had no other choice. Without that, my dreams of building a business and taking care of my brothers, would have been nothing but a fantasy.
But once I had the foundation, I cut all ties. I made a pact with the key players, and for years, that pact held. They respected it. I respected them. My life, my business, my success, it was all shielded behind that deadlock agreement.
No one dared break the agreement, because the consequences were too high. But now, someone from the pact was testing that, and I couldn’t let it slide. I had to find out who was behind it, who was threatening to break the silence, and why they were targeting the people I cared about.
I dia led Craig’s number, my fingers tapping nervously against the edge of the desk. When he picked up, I didn’t waste time.
“Do you have anything on the group I asked you to check out?” I said, my voice tight with frustration. “I need all the information on my desk in the next three hours. They’ve threatened my wife and my business. If they think they can mess with me, they’re about to find out how far I’m willing to go to protect what I care about.”
Craig was quiet for a moment before his voice came across the speaker. “Got it. You’ll have everything you need in three hours.”
We hung up, but the unease still lingered, a gnawing feeling I couldn’t shake.
There was a light knock on the door, and I struggled to keep my composure.
“Come in.”
The door creaked open, and Emily stepped inside. Her presence was a sharp contrast to the tension clawing at my chest. I could feel her intuitive eyes on me.
She paused, her gaze lingering on the phone still gripped in my hand, then on me. “Is everything okay? You look a little… off.”
I forced a smile, but it felt strained, my muscles tightening as I moved toward my desk. “I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.”
The words tasted like lies, but I couldn't take them back.
Her eyes were full with concern, as she stepped closer. “Dominic, you’re my husband. I’m supposed to worry about you. I…I am worried about you.”
It was the first time she had used “husband” so directly. It caught me off guard, and for a moment, I didn’t know how to respond for a moment.
I met her gaze squarely, “I have everything under control. Or have you forgotten who your husband is?”
Her gaze lingered, but she didn’t press. Instead, she nodded softly, her voice quieter now. “Just know I’m here if you need me.”
I softened slightly, my guard slipping just enough for me to speak from a place of vulnerability. “Thanks, Emily. I appreciate it.”
She gave me a small, reassuring smile before getting down to business. “Mr. Forde and his team will be arriving in ten minutes. I’ll head to the conference room to ensure everything’s set.”
“Thank you. I’ll join you shortly.”
With that, she left, the door clicking softly behind her. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to focus on the task at hand.
***
After the meeting, when I stepped into the waiting room, Craig stood there dressed in a suit and tie with a briefcase in hand looking like any other businessman. His appearance didn’t give away anything, and nobody would suspect who he really was.
Before I could say anything, Emily stepped forward giving him a polite smile. “Good afternoon, sir. Do you have a meeting scheduled with Mr. Quantum?”
“It’s fine, Emily,” I said, my voice firm but calm. “He’s just here to drop off some important documents for me.”
Emily nodded slowly, though I could see the hesitation in her eyes.
“Mr. Quantum,” she said, turning to me, “a reminder that you have another meeting in fifteen minutes.”
“Thanks, Emily. But please, see if you can push back my afternoon meetings by at least three hours. Those that can’t be pushed back please reschedule.”
She gave me a brief nod. “Understood, sir.”
I gestured for Craig to follow me into the office. As we walked toward the door, I could feel Emily’s gaze following us.
Inside the office, I took a seat behind my desk, and Craig sat opposite me, pulling a binder from his briefcase.
“The files you requested, sir.” Craig set down the binder in front of me.
I reached for the binder understanding that it contained the power to give me a fighting chance.
“Thanks, Craig.”
“Anytime,” Craig replied as he stood. “If you need anything else, don’t hesitate to call me. I’ll see myself out.”
With a final nod, Craig stood, and left the office, closing the door quietly behind him. I opened the binder, and flipped through the pages, scanning the documents. I needed to figure out where to go from here.
That’s when I saw it, a picture of Obsidian, entering the cafe.
SHIT!
I wrestled with the decision to let my brothers in on what was going on. Telling them would mean exposing a part of my life I’d buried for years, a secret I had sworn to take to the grave. But keeping it hidden now, when lives were on the line, felt like a gamble I couldn’t afford.
I wanted to protect them, but I knew better. This wasn’t the kind of situation I could handle alone anymore. They needed to know the truth so they could protect themselves and each other. I hated that it had come to this, but there was no way around it.
One by one, I called my brothers, keeping my voice measured but firm. “I need you in my office now. It’s urgent,” I told each of them. No excuses. No delays. Once everyone confirmed they were on their way, I leaned back in my chair, exhaling a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding.
About twenty minutes later, my brothers began strolling in one by one, their banter filling the office as they caught up with each other.
“Does Axel have to be late for everything?” Nathaniel asked, glancing at his watch annoyed.
“You know Axel,” Vincent chimed in, shaking his head. “Always on his own time.”
“Dom,” Seb said, turning to me, “ What’s going on?”
“Is Victor stirring up trouble again?” Leonard asked.
I sighed, running a hand down my face. “I wish it were Victor. At least that would be straightforward compared to this.”
Their expressions shifted, concern replacing their casual demeanor.
“When Axel gets here, I’ll explain everything,” I added, trying to steady myself for what was to come. “Give me a minute.”
I stepped out of the office and made my way toward Emily’s desk, where she was meticulously sorting through a stack of files. I needed her out of the office, now.
“Emily, I need you to go with Alec to pick up Lucy from dance class.”
She froze, her hand hovering over a folder, her eyes narrowing slightly. “There’s still a lot to do. Alec usually handles that on his own. Is there a particular reason I’m needed?”
I bit back my frustration, forcing a tight smile. “Emily, just do this for me, alright? No questions. Please.”
Her gaze lingered on me, studying my expression. “I usually sit in when you and your brothers have meetings. You said it’s how I could learn the ropes. Why are you sending me away now?”
“It’s not a business meeting. It’s a family meeting.”
Suspicion flickered across her face as she lifted a brow. “I’m your wife, Dominic. That makes me family. I should be in that meeting.”
I slammed my hand on the desk, the sharp sound cutting through the air.
“Emily, just do as I say. No questions asked.” My voice was laced with anger, and the regret hit home almost instantly.
Emily’s eyes flared with anger, but her voice stayed composed. “Of course, Mr. Quantum. After all, I’m your PA, and it’s my job to follow instructions. Would you like me to return after dropping Lucy off?”
I sighed. “No, you can take the rest of the day.”
Her lips tightened, her nod crisp. “Understood.”
She grabbed her bag, slinging it over her shoulder. Her heels clicked sharply against the tile as she left.
I leaned against the desk, exhaling sharply. She’d be furious later, and I’d have to deal with that. But for now, I had bigger fish to fry.
Returning to my office, I glanced at the clock. Axel needed to hurry up. My brothers deserved the truth, and the longer I waited, the closer the danger crept.