Chapter 13

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

DOM FOLLOWED HIS father into the other room, out of earshot of Luca, who didn’t move as he watched them go.

There was an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. The fact that his father had left the safety of his fortified home to come here to check on—and admonish—Dom didn’t sit well. If anything happened to Vincenzo, then that blood would be on Dom’s hands.

“An innocent,” his father said, turning to face him. “Caught up in the middle of this fray. The Fiores should be ashamed.”

“I doubt they ever expected to bring him into this life.”

“But to leave him so unprepared. And exposed.” Vincenzo tsked.

“So now that you’ve met him, what do you suggest we do with him?”

“For the moment, we wait.” Vincenzo narrowed his eyes. “And you’ll do what I say.”

Dom sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “I’ll stay here. Keep Luca hidden away.”

“Yes.”

“A fancy prison for us both, then.”

“My son.” Vincenzo put his hands on either side of Dom’s face. “I know this isn’t what you want. It’s not in your nature to let others take the fall for you. But when I’m gone, this is what you’ll face. You won’t be out there in the streets. The family needs a strong leader, and no one can rule like a Rossetti. It’s in your blood.”

Dom nodded. “I understand.”

“Yes,” his father said, giving him a small smile. “I think you do.” He dropped his hands from Dom’s face. “While we’re on the subject of you being my heir…”

“Oh no.” Dom knew what was coming, and it was worse than being stuck here for days on end.

“It’s past time to be thinking of yours.”

“Here we go,” Dom muttered.

“I have a friend whose daughter I want you to meet.”

“Father—”

“She’s young, not quite twenty, but beautiful and quite smart, older than her years—”

“I don’t need—”

“She’s coming to town soon, and it’ll be the perfect time for you two to meet. I’ll arrange it.”

With a sigh, Dom squeezed the bridge of his nose. The last thing he wanted was an arranged marriage, even if he understood the why of it all. It wasn’t happening. Absolutely not.

“You know what’s expected of you,” Vincenzo said, his tone growing serious. “I’ve given you all the time in the world to do this your way, but you’re thirty-five now. It can’t be put off any longer.”

Dom had heard this lecture for years, feeling the pressure of the clock ticking down and the burden on his shoulders. He’d never expected he’d be a man who could marry for love the way his father had. Things were different now. With their status, there was more expectation, more for Dom to live up to. But this was one area in his life he’d been stubborn about, the last area he felt any real control over. If he allowed his father to set up this meeting, that would set off a chain reaction amongst their people, and once that happened, it would be difficult to pull back from.

“I hardly think this is the time for courtships and wedding bells, Father. I was shot today, remember?”

“Don’t get smart with me.” Vincenzo’s eyes fell to his son’s arm. “If anything, it’s a reminder that wedding bells are exactly what you need. You need a reminder that your life is important, that you have a legacy and name to carry on, and you can’t do that if you are shot dead on the FDR.”

Dom gritted his teeth, his father’s tone making it crystal clear he was not going to get out of this.

“But right now? I thought I was to stay locked up here in the gilded tower? How will that work? Is someone going to escort her up here for dinner with me and the kid? I’m sure that’ll go down well when he tells her he’s being held against his will.”

Vincenzo arched a brow. “The kid, huh? Is that how you see him?”

Dom shrugged and slipped his hands into his pockets. “I don’t see him at all.”

“Really?” Vincenzo glanced over his shoulder to the room where they’d left Luca. The glittering lights of the surrounding buildings silhouetted his figure as he stared out at the city below. He had his hands shoved in the pockets of his jeans, and Dom couldn’t stop his eyes from traveling down the toned arms and tall frame filling out those clothes—two-day-old clothes, mind you.

Huh, they probably should get him something different if he was going to be there awhile. Dom hadn’t thought of that.

“You don’t see him? I find that difficult to believe. Not when you have a penchant for such attractive things. Clothes, cars, men…” Vincenzo cocked his head to the side. “Don’t fool yourself, Dom. You see him.”

Dom looked to Luca and nodded. “You’re right. I see him. But not how you think. I see him as the answer to every single thing we’ve ever wanted. A way to finally take what our family rightly deserves. He is the key.”

“He is. Which is why it’s so important he stays alive.” Vincenzo reached inside his jacket and pulled out an envelope. “It’s time you have a talk with him. Explain a few…matters.”

Dom took the envelope from his father and slid out the photo that lay inside. As his eyes fell on the image of the immediate Fiore family, his fingers tightened around the edges. It took everything he had not to scrunch the damn thing up when he saw them all together like that, but one thing in particular kept that photo safe. The picture proof of what they now knew from DNA.

Fucking hell, he’d known the resemblance was strong, but seeing this… “He looks just like her.”

“I thought you didn’t see him?”

Dom looked up in time to catch his father’s smirk.

“You can’t lie to me, son. I know you too well. Now, I have to leave.”

Dom nodded and slid the photo back inside the envelope and then into his pants pocket. “I’m sorry you had to come. It won’t happen again.”

“I know.”

Vincenzo headed for the front door but then paused, turning back to look at Luca before focusing on Dom. “Don’t make this hard on yourself, Dom. Don’t touch him.”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me. You’ll say it hasn’t crossed your mind, but don’t forget I know you.”

Dom crossed his arms, feeling annoyed his father felt like this even needed to be brought up. “I thought the rule was as long as I’m discreet with my personal life that anything goes.”

“Yes, but not with him. Anyone but him. Don’t make me regret this.”

Dom held up his hands, not saying a word, but giving his father the peace of mind to leave here and hopefully never bring the topic up again.

“I’ll see you at the gala Friday. Make sure the boy’s there.” Vincenzo kissed Dom’s cheek, then the other, and after he knocked on the door, his security whisked him away in a matter of seconds.

As the door closed, the lock automatically engaging, Dom put a hand out to steady himself and sighed. How was it possible in such a large penthouse to feel like the walls were closing in on him? His life wasn’t his own, he’d always known and accepted that, but the leniency he’d been shown regarding his…extracurricular activities now seemed to be in the past.

He turned, leaning against the door, and his eyes caught on Luca still looking out at the city. Probably wishing he was home. Definitely thinking of a way to get back there.

Don’t touch him. Anyone but him.

His father’s words felt less like a warning and more like a taunt. He wasn’t used to being told what—or whom—he could and could not do. The rebellious streak in him was already thinking thoughts he shouldn’t be.

But no. Dom wouldn’t go there. He may be stuck with Luca alone for who knew how long, but he’d do his level best to remember exactly who he was.

Then again, that was all easier said than done.