The minutes ticked by slowly as Elena paced her living room, tension building with every passing second. Sophia sat curled on the couch, nervously wringing her hands, her gaze darting to the door with every sound.
The weight of the situation pressed heavily on Elena's chest, but she couldn't afford to show fear. Not when her brother's life was hanging in the balance. A sharp knock on the door made both women jump. Elena's heart raced as she crossed the room to open it.
Dominic stood in the hallway, his expression unreadable but his presence commanding. He walked in without a word, his dark eyes scanning the room, landing on Sophia for only a moment before turning back to Elena. "Talk," he said, his voice low and authoritative. He wasted no time with pleasantries, cutting straight to the heart of the matter.
"What's this about Harrington's men coming after you?" Sophia sat up a little straighter, but her voice still trembled when she spoke. "I don't know for sure, but I've seen them outside my apartment. They follow me sometimes. I tried to tell Liam to stay away from Harrington, but he didn't listen. Now they think I know too much."
Dominic's gaze flickered, his jaw tightening as he absorbed the information. "If they're watching you, they're already ahead of us," he muttered. "Harrington doesn't make threats he can't follow through on. If they haven't moved against you yet, it's because they're waiting for the right time."
Elena crossed her arms, her frustration bubbling to the surface. "So what's the plan? Are we just going to sit here and wait for them to make their move? We need to find Liam before they do."
Dominic turned to her, his eyes narrowing. "I don't do waiting, Elena. But we need to be smart about this. Running around blind won't help anyone, especially not your brother." He paused, his expression softening slightly. "I'll find him. You just need to trust me."
Elena felt a flicker of uncertainty. Trust wasn't something that came easily, especially not when it involved someone like Dominic. But right now, he was the only one who had the connections, the resources, and the nerve to stand up to a man like Harrington.
Sophia shifted on the couch, her voice trembling. "Do you really think you can stop him? Harrington's not just a businessman. He has people everywhere. You can't even trust the police with this."
Dominic didn't flinch. "I've dealt with worse than Harrington." He turned back to Elena, his gaze intense. "But we need leverage. Something that gives us an edge. Harrington plays by his own rules, and if we're going to beat him, we'll need to know exactly what we're up against."
Elena frowned. "Leverage? What kind of leverage are we talking about?" A slow, dangerous smile crept across Dominic's face. "The kind that makes even men like Harrington nervous. Something he can't afford to lose." Sophia spoke up, her voice barely above a whisper.
"There's something... something I overheard. Liam didn't tell me much, but I know Harrington's involved in something bigger than just money. There were mentions of shipments, deals happening offshore. If we can find out what those are—"
Dominic's eyes lit up, and for the first time since he'd entered, Elena saw a glimmer of hope. "That's it. Harrington's real empire is built on secrets. If we can expose those deals, he'll have more to lose than just a business contract. He'll be scrambling to protect everything he's built."
Elena felt a surge of determination rise within her. This was more than just a rescue mission for Liam. It was a way to bring down the man who had threatened her family, who had preyed on her brother's weakness. And with Dominic by her side, it felt like they had a chance.
"Alright," she said, her voice strong. "Let's find those deals. Let's find Liam. And let's make Harrington pay." Dominic gave her a slow nod, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "Now you're thinking like a player, Elena."
Just then, Dominic's phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced at the screen and his expression hardened. "Looks like we're running out of time. One of my contacts just spotted Liam near the docks. We need to move now." Elena's heart lurched.
"The docks? What's he doing there?" Dominic's gaze darkened. "Whatever it is, it won't end well unless we get there first." Without another word, Elena grabbed her coat, determination coursing through her veins.
She wasn't going to sit idly by while her brother walked into danger. Not anymore. As they headed for the door, Dominic caught her arm, pulling her close. His voice was low, dangerous, but laced with something that felt like concern. "Stay close to me tonight. No matter what happens, don't get separated. Harrington won't hesitate to use you if he thinks it'll get him what he wants."
Elena looked up at him, her breath catching for a moment. Despite the danger swirling around them, there was a pull between them that she couldn't deny. But now wasn't the time for distractions. "I can handle myself," she said, her voice firm. Dominic's lips curved into a faint smile, but his eyes remained serious. "I know you can. But tonight, you're with me."
And with that, they stepped into the night, the cold air biting at their skin as they headed toward the unknown, where danger and destiny awaited.