The silence inside the penthouse was deafening.
Dominic stood in front of the glass wall that overlooked the city. Lights glittered far below like scattered stars, a view most would kill for, but tonight he saw only the war waiting in every corner. His shirt was still torn at the shoulder where Sergio's blade had grazed him. The wound throbbed, but it was nothing compared to the ache in his chest.
Behind him, Aria paced with bare feet on the cold marble floor. She hadn't said much since they returned. Her silence spoke louder than words. Every now and then, her eyes darted toward him, as if measuring his mood, or maybe her place in all of this.
"Who is Adrian really" she asked at last, her voice quiet but firm.
Dominic didn't turn. "A snake who was once a brother."
She took a breath. "And the man in the tunnels, the one you fought. Sergio?"
Dominic's jaw clenched. "He used to work under me. Until he betrayed everything we built."
"And now they're after you."
"They're after everything."
Dominic turned finally. His eyes were darker than usual, sharper. He walked slowly toward her, hands tucked into his pockets.
"You asked me once why I didn't let you go when I first found you," he said.
She nodded.
"It wasn't just because I wanted to protect you. I didn't understand it then, but now I do. They were always going to use you against me."
Aria's lips parted. "Because of who I am to you."
"Because they know I'd burn the world for you."
Her breath caught.
Dominic stopped in front of her. He reached up and brushed a strand of hair from her face.
"You're not just a girl I saved. You're not just someone in my care. You're in this now, Aria. Whether we like it or not."
She looked up at him, her eyes steady. "Then teach me."
He frowned. "Teach you what"
"Everything. I want to learn how to fight. How to protect myself. I want to be prepared for whatever comes next."
A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, though it didn't quite reach his eyes.
"You're not the same girl I pulled out of that alley, are you"
"No. I'm not."
Dominic nodded slowly. "Alright. But it starts now."
---
The next morning, Aria stood in the training room beneath the penthouse. It was cold and smelled of metal and sweat. Luca stood across from her, arms folded, watching like a hawk.
"I thought Dominic would be the one training me," Aria said.
Luca smirked. "He would, but if you're going to be useful to him, you're going to need to take a hit. And he won't hit you."
Aria narrowed her eyes. "But you will"
Luca grinned. "Glad we understand each other."
The first few hours were brutal. Her arms ached, her legs trembled, and her lungs burned. Luca didn't go easy on her. Every time she hit the mat, he made her get up. Every mistake was corrected with force. But he didn't mock her. He pushed her because she didn't quit.
By noon, she collapsed to the floor, sweat pouring down her back, hands bruised from the gloves. Luca tossed her a bottle of water.
"Not bad," he said. "You've got heart."
Aria gulped the water and looked up. "That's not enough, is it"
"No. But it's a start."
Dominic appeared in the doorway then, watching silently. His gaze didn't show pride or worry, only approval. He stepped inside, dismissed Luca with a glance, and walked over.
"You did better than I thought," he said.
"I'm not going to be the girl who hides behind you," Aria replied.
"Good," Dominic said, his voice low. "Because I need you strong for what's coming."
She looked up. "What is coming"
Dominic held out a black envelope. Aria took it and opened it slowly. Inside was a single photograph. It showed a young man, probably early twenties, sitting beside Adrian in a club, grinning. He had a snake tattoo wrapped around his neck.
"Who is he"
"Adrian's cousin. Enzo. He handles Adrian's shipments through the East Docks. If we take him out, Adrian bleeds."
Aria hesitated. "You're going after him tonight"
Dominic nodded.
"Then I want to come."
He stared at her. Not with disbelief. With something more dangerous. Respect.
"It's not a test," he said. "You don't need to prove anything."
"I know," she replied. "I still want to go."
Dominic didn't argue.
---
That night, the warehouse near the docks was cloaked in shadows. The smell of saltwater mixed with gasoline. Dominic stood beside Aria in the back of an unmarked SUV, watching through binoculars as men moved crates beneath floodlights.
"That's him," he whispered, pointing. "Enzo."
Aria looked through the glass. The man didn't seem threatening. He laughed with the dock workers, lighting a cigarette like this was just another Thursday night.
"How do we get to him"
"Simple," Dominic said. "We cause chaos."
He turned to Luca, who sat in the front seat.
"You ready"
Luca grinned. "Always."
Ten minutes later, a silent explosion rocked the eastern fence of the docks. Screams echoed. Lights cut out.
Dominic moved fast. Aria followed, her heart hammering. The chaos gave them cover. By the time Enzo realized something was wrong, Dominic had already slipped behind him.
He pressed the muzzle of his gun to Enzo's back.
"Don't move."
Enzo froze.
"You," he whispered. "I heard you were dead."
Dominic pushed him toward a waiting car. "Start praying I'm still in a good mood."
Aria climbed into the backseat beside Enzo, her eyes cold.
"You're Adrian's blood," she said. "That means you have answers."
Enzo glared at her. "And you are"
Dominic leaned in. "The reason you're still breathing."
They sped off into the night. But none of them noticed the black motorcycle that peeled away from the shadows, following close behind.
Inside the car, Enzo laughed softly.
"You think Adrian didn't plan for this"
Dominic's jaw tightened. "What do you mean"
Enzo smirked. "He's already inside."
Aria's heart skipped a beat. "Inside where"
"Your house."
Dominic slammed on the brakes.
The car skidded to a stop.
The penthouse.
Mara.
Nico.
They were not safe.
Dominic turned the wheel sharply and floored the gas.
The war had officially begun.