The night's events still weighed heavily on Dominic and Alyssa as they returned to their penthouse. The city lights shimmered beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, but neither of them could appreciate the view. Their thoughts were tangled in the confrontation with Victor Harris, the accusations he had hurled, and the unspoken fears lingering between them.
Alyssa sank into a chair, exhaling shakily. "That was… intense," she admitted. "I still can't believe he came at us like that."
Dominic loosened his tie and ran a hand through his hair. "Victor wasn't acting alone. He said as much." He let out a slow breath, forcing his pulse to settle. "We need to figure out who's really pulling the strings."
Alyssa watched him, noting the tension in his posture, the way his fingers curled into his palms. She stood and crossed the room, resting a gentle hand on his arm. "We'll figure this out. Together."
Dominic glanced at her, his expression softening. "I don't know what I'd do without you," he admitted, his voice lower now, more personal.
"You won't have to find out," she said with a small smile.
A comfortable silence settled between them before Alyssa's gaze drifted to a framed photograph on the bookshelf an old picture of Dominic with his early team. Her eyes narrowed. "Wait… look at this." She pointed at the nameplate in the background. "Bradford Holdings. That name doesn't it sound familiar?"
Dominic took the frame, his brows knitting together. "They were one of our initial investors. But I haven't dealt with them in years."
"Maybe we should start there," Alyssa suggested.
Dominic nodded, appreciating her intuition. "Alright. Let's see what we can dig up."
They spent hours sifting through documents, revisiting financial records and old correspondence, but nothing stood out. Finally, Dominic leaned back, rubbing his eyes. "We're missing something."
Alyssa reached for his hand, intertwining their fingers. "We will figure it out. Just… take a moment to breathe."
Dominic looked at their hands, then at her. The warmth of her touch, the quiet strength in her voice it grounded him. He squeezed her fingers gently. "You always know how to calm me down."
She smirked. "That's because I know you better than you know yourself."
The moment stretched between them, something unspoken lingering in the air. Dominic had always relied on Alyssa, but tonight, he realized how much he truly needed her not just in his fight for the truth, but in his life.
The first light of dawn spilled through the curtains, casting a soft glow over them. Alyssa was still by his side, her head resting against his shoulder as she dozed off.
Dominic smiled, pressing a light kiss to the top of her head. Whatever lay ahead, they would face it together.