Elena's eyes flickered with defiance, but beneath the surface, her mind was racing. Dominic's presence was more than a mere complication - it was warning. The man had a reputation, one built on ruthless business dealings and shadowy alliances. He thrived in chaos, and now, it seemed, her life was becoming his latest playground.
She took a step back, needing space to think clearly. "I'm not interested in playing games, Dominic. Whatever you're mixed up with my brother, I'll deal with it. I don't need you."
He tilited his head slightly, his eyes never leaving hers, and she could see the amusement dancing in them. He liked this, the back-and-forth, the challenge. "You think this is just about Liam?" he asked, his voice soft, but there was a dangerous edge to it. "You're in deeper than you realize, Elena. Your brother isn't the only target. He was just the easiest way to get to you."
Her breath caught in her throat, the weight of his words hitting her like a punch to the gut. "Me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Why would anyone want to come after me?" Dominic took a step forward, closing the distance between them once again.
"Because, Elena, you hold the keys to more power than you understand. Your family's name, your connections, your influence—someone wants to dismantle it all. And they're starting with Liam because they know he's your weakness." The accusation stung. It wasn't just the truth in his words, but the way he said it, as though he knew her better than anyone else did.
She hated that feeling—that sense that Dominic could see right through her. "Who?" she demanded, her voice stronger now, her resolve hardening. "Who's behind this?" Dominic's expression darkened, his smirk fading as his eyes grew colder. "Victor Harrington," he said, his voice low. The name sent a chill down her spine. She had heard of Victor before—everyone in her circles had. He was a man of means, but his power didn't come from wealth alone. It came from leverage, from secrets, from knowing exactly how to twist the knife.
"And what's your angle in all this?" Elena asked, narrowing her eyes. She couldn't afford to trust Dominic, not when his motives were as unclear as his past. "Why do you care what happens to me or my family?" His lips curled into a slow smile. "Let's just say Harrington and I have unfinished business. And helping you gives me a chance to settle an old score."
Elena's gut told her that Dominic's reasons were far more complex than simple revenge, but she didn't have time to figure him out. If Victor Harrington was involved, then her brother's life—and maybe her own—was in real danger. Dominic stepped even closer, his hand reaching out to brush a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
The gesture was surprisingly gentle, but it only made her heart pound harder. "You're smart, Elena. Smarter than most. But even you can't take on a man like Harrington alone. He'll crush you and everything you love if you try." Her skin tingled where his fingers had touched her, and she hated herself for the way her body reacted to his closeness. "I'm not afraid of him," she said, her voice steely.
"You should be," Dominic whispered, his voice sending a shiver down her spine. "But lucky for you, I don't scare easily." For a moment, they stood there, the tension between them as sharp as a knife. Then, Dominic stepped back, his gaze softening just slightly. "I'll give you time to think about it, but don't take too long. Harrington doesn't wait. And neither do I." Elena watched him walk away, her mind a whirlwind of questions, doubts, and—damn it—desire.
She was smart enough to know that Dominic was trouble, but there was something about him that drew her in, even as every instinct told her to run. As the door clicked shut behind him, she sank into the leather chair by the window, her eyes staring blankly at the sunrise just beginning to paint the horizon.
This wasn't just about her brother anymore. This was about her family's legacy, her future, and a battle she hadn't even realized she was a part of. But one thing was certain—Dominic Thorne was right about one thing. There was no turning back now.