6. Dominic
Dominic
Jesus. Who needs me at this hour?
The screen lights up: a flood of messages from Alice and one from a member of the team I assigned to shadow Lena.
He says he lost her downtown this morning, and thinks she left for an unknown location.
Classic Lena. She’s slipped past them a few times in the last couple of weeks, ever since I demanded round-the-clock surveillance.
Alice, on the other hand, sounds like she’s flagging a crisis.
Alice: Call me ASAP. Emergency.
Alice: Have you seen the tabloids? The business press? Everyone with internet and their mother is talking about you and Lena.
Alice: We need a damage control plan before this blows up even more.
I frown and prop myself up on one elbow, rubbing my face with my palm. I tap one of the links Alice sent. A tabloid headline blares across the screen: “The city’s most eligible bachelor caught in the arms of a journalist? Who’s the woman who tamed Dominic Monti?”
I exhale through my nose and shake my head. Tamed? Not even Lena believes that.
I scroll. “Dominic Monti’s secret engagement! Business move of the decade or real love story?”
I click. Photos from the city hall event. One with my hand on her elbow as we’re leaving. Another where she’s leaning in, whispering something. I’m half smiling. And then the best one: some outraged blonde staring at us like we burned down her life.
Shit . There was no way this wouldn’t spark speculation.
Further down, a business headline: “ Monti Group under pressure after CEO’s new relationship. How the surprise engagement could affect the empire’s image.”
I scrub a hand over my face, then drag it through my hair.
This is a nightmare. The last thing I need is this mess bleeding into the business.
The Monti family owns hotels, restaurants, and clubs.
Real estate. Half the damn city. Every move we make gets noticed.
Public image matters. And now, news of the engagement is everywhere, twisted into headlines I didn’t see coming.
Feels like I lit the fuse and walked away.
Another headline blinks up: “Monti and his mysterious fiancée—whirlwind romance or calculated move?”
I tap Alice’s number. She picks up instantly.
“Finally. You’re awake.” Her voice sound serious, but I catch a hint of amusement in it.
“Tell me how bad it is.” I rub my temples. The headache’s already kicking in.
“It’s blowing up. You’re the most talked-about name in the city right now.
I’ve got tabloids, business sites, lifestyle magazines, everyone wants a piece of this.
They’re asking if it’s real, how you met, and if there’s going to be some big wedding.
A few want exclusives with you and Lena. And yeah, TV’s circling too.”
“Shit.” I exhale hard. “Tell me you’ve done something to slow it down.”
“I haven’t given them anything official for now. But silence won’t work for long. If we don’t get ahead of this, they’ll make up their own version. And you know how wild that gets.”
I fall back against the mattress, staring at the ceiling. Damn it. Lena! I need to talk to her. Fast. She hates attention, and now she’s right in the middle of it. I didn’t even get the chance to warn her.
“Alice, keep the press off us for now. Say there’s no statement yet, and we’ll circle back when we’re ready.”
“How long are we talking?”
I picture Lena’s face when she sees those headlines—confused at first, then furious..
What if she backs out? The thought knocks the breath out of me.
I haven’t even talked to Gabriel or Damien. Not even my mother. I should’ve had a better grip on this.
“Until I talk to Lena,” I tell her.
Alice sighs. “Fine. But I can’t hold them off forever. We need a plan. If you two show up somewhere together, you might be able to steer the story a bit.”
“I’ll ask her.”
Alice lets out a short laugh. “Just hope she doesn’t disappear the second she sees the headlines. You know she’s not built for this kind of spotlight.”
And that’s exactly why I’m worried.
“Quick sidebar,” Alice adds. “Do you think Anton had a hand in the leak? I spotted him in a few shots hovering near you and didn’t exactly look thrilled. And let’s be honest, he’s still salty you won’t let him back in the club.”
Damn it! Anton.
That wouldn’t shock me. He’s got connections and just enough spite to leak it through some back channel.
“Maybe,” I mutter. “But I’ve got nothing solid.”
“Do you want me to dig?”
I smirk. Alice isn’t just good, she’s diabolical when she wants answers.
“Go for it.”
“This is going to be good,” Alice says, then pauses, her voice softening. “But Dominic… just be careful how you handle this. It’s the first time you actually seem to care about someone. People are watching, not just the press.”
I end the call and just sit there, phone still in my hand, elbows on my knees, trying to breathe.
Lena. I need to call her.
She’s not answering. It’s like I’m shouting into a void. I check the screen again like an idiot, hoping she’ll call back. Then the screen lights up again—Gabriel.
Gabriel: I’m watching the news. I want answers. NOW.
Then Damien texts: What the fuck, man? You’re getting married? When were you planning to tell us?
I shut my eyes and let out a slow breath. The day’s barely started, and everything already feels like it’s falling apart.
***
Gabriel and Damien are staring at me from the couch in my office, both waiting for answers. I’d rather explain everything face-to-face than over text. They got here surprisingly fast, like it’s not the middle of a workweek when we’re usually all slammed.
A few days ago, I asked Damien to dig up anything he could, official records, connections, between Lena and Anton. Anything that might link them. Now they don’t say a word while I make coffee. The hiss of the espresso machine gives me something to focus on besides their silence.
I’m already on my third cup, and my nerves are shot. Lena’s not picking up. Not replying. My texts aren’t even showing as seen. I pass them their coffee without a word, then lean back against the desk, arms crossed. The room’s still. They’re watching me. And yeah, I owe them an explanation.
“You’ve got every right to be pissed. Things went sideways last night. I didn’t see the press blowing up like this.”
I’m usually on it when it comes to the press. But I’ve been too focused on keeping Lena safe and convincing her to marry me. I forgot who I am for a second. And I let myself think only about how I feel.
“I’m not pissed you’re getting married,” Damien says, smirking. “I’m just stressed about wearing a tie at your wedding. And officially becoming your mom’s top ‘ why-aren’t-you-settled-yet’ case .”
He sets his mug down, stands, and pulls me into one of those rough hugs and three hard slaps on the back like he’s trying to knock the stress out of me.
Then he leans in and mutters, just for me: “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?
She’s strong-willed. The kind of woman who’ll keep you on your toes. ”
I give a short nod. Message received . Then I turn to Gabriel. With Lexi in his life and the girls being close, this might put him in a tougher spot.
“I pushed you toward Lena,” Gabriel says. “But after seeing how the press jumped on her today, I’m worried. Dom, if you’re serious about this, make sure she doesn’t get hurt.”
Yeah, Gabriel, the serious one. Always the voice of reason.
And honestly, I didn’t expect the media to go into full-on feeding frenzy mode over our engagement. What’s worse, I still don’t know if the paparazzi have already gotten to Lena. She’s not answering, and it’s driving me crazy.
“So, what did Lena say about all the press circus?”
“That’s the problem, Gabe. I haven’t been able to reach her since I dropped her off last night. I had someone keeping an eye on her, just in case—but they lost her this morning.”
“You what?” Gabriel frowns.
“Relax, I’ll explain. It’s complicated, but not really.”
“Any chance we get food, since you dragged us here this early?” Damien asks.
Figures. It’s always about the food with him. Or maybe he just loves the hotel kitchen.
“Yeah, it’s on the way. I got caught up in this whole mess and ordered late. My bad.”
“Have Alice bring it,” Gabriel says, straight-faced.
Damien flushes and flips him off.
“Actually,” I add, smirking, “maybe Alice can dress him for the wedding too. Tux, bow tie, the works. He’ll be a damn showstopper.”
Damien flips me off next. No hesitation.
“Yeah, tough times ahead for the last single guy in the group. Totally unfair.”
He takes a long sip of coffee, slurping dramatically, then sighs and stretches. “Your mother’s going to break me, man.”
Then he leans forward. “Come on, Dominic. What’s the story? What happened these past few days that made you pull the trigger on this dramatic engagement?”
“This has to stay in a very tight circle. Just us and the girls. I’ll probably loop Alice in too as she handles my image and the company’s.”
“Loop her into what?” Damien asks.
“The whole thing about me marrying Lena. Which is more of... an arrangement. You know… it’s not a real marriage.”
“And she agreed to that?” Damien raises an eyebrow.
“Lena’s in the middle of something messy and dangerous. And I might be in a position to help her.”
I meet Damien’s eyes. “Did you bring what I asked for?”
“You know,” Damien says, sighing, “I’m getting real tired of being the guy who digs into your girlfriends-slash-fiancées. I’m not a private investigator. I work for the taxpayers, remember?”
“What’d you ask him for?” Gabriel cuts in, looking over at Damien.
“You want everything done by the book. But if I let Glitch, my hacker, dig around, you’d get ten times more info. Then you’d complain we’re too shady. One day you’ll come to appreciate Glitch.”
“Setting aside those little remarks about me,” Damien says dryly, “Dom, can you read us what I just sent you, what I found through my legal sources?” He stresses legal with a grimace.