Chapter 4

CHAPTERFOUR

DOM TORE OUT of his father’s office only to find people fucking everywhere. With a house this size, there was plenty of room for everyone to spread out, but it seemed like they’d all congregated in the same damn hallways.

He had to get out of there.

Dom burst through the back door into the yard, and thank God it was empty—for the moment. It was times like this he wished he still smoked, but he’d kicked that habit after college. He could use a cigarette or even a punching bag, something to get out the restlessness stirring inside him, but when all he could do was pace, he raked his fingers through his hair in frustration.

Despite what his father thought was best, there was no way they could just leave Luca to the Fiores. Dom knew how fucked up it was to even think about going against orders, especially for someone from his rival’s bloodline. But the kid didn’t deserve a death sentence, and that was exactly what would happen if Dom didn’t go after him.

Ironic, considering he’d threatened to kill Luca more than once. So what had changed? Why did he even care what happened to the kid? He wasn’t Dom’s responsibility, even if he had been the one to pluck Luca out of his normal existence and into this world of violence and death.

No, the Fiores would’ve come for him eventually.

That was what Dom kept telling himself, anyway. If he’d never met Luca, his fate would’ve been the same as any member of the Fiore family.

But now…

“I thought you’d be out here moping.”

Dom whirled around to see Chef slamming the gate shut behind him. Considering he wasn’t technically a member of the family, he wasn’t required to be there, but as Dom’s closest friend, it wasn’t surprising he’d shown up. At least to make sure Dom’s head was still on his shoulders.

“Moping?” Dom said. “Have you ever seen me do anything even close to that?”

“No, but you’ve also never lost something you worked so hard to win, either.”

“So you thought you’d come by and try to talk me off the ledge, is that it?”

Chef grinned and rocked back on his heels. “If I need to. Or maybe I’ll just join you up there.”

“Jesus.” Dom shook his head but couldn’t help cracking a smile. “You lost your sense a long time ago, you know that?”

“Pretty sure that’s why you keep me around.”

“Mmm. Indeed.” Dom looked back at the house, and while no one else had joined them, he didn’t need any eavesdroppers listening in on what he was about to say. He walked farther from the house, and Chef joined him.

“So what’d the boss say? Stand down?”

Dom whipped his head around and caught Chef’s smirk.

“What? I hardly think you’d be out here sulking if he told you to suit up and head out to rescue the kid.”

“Rescue?” Dom arched a brow. “Wrong word. I’d be getting back what those fuckers took from me…us. I’m not in the habit of rescuing people, let’s get that straight.”

“Uh huh.” Chef nodded and clasped his hands behind his back. “I’m not in the habit of making breakfast for people either, but something about that kid made me feel a little sentimental. You know, like, I didn’t want to shatter his illusions all in one day.”

Dom shook his head. “I wondered about that. Chorizos? Really?”

“Hey, I had to get my fun somewhere. Grinding sausages seemed the least…conspicuous.”

Dom grunted. Was Chef right? Was this more about rescuing Luca than it was getting back what had been taken from him? Dom’s first instinct was to say no, but when push came to shove, he knew his restlessness stemmed from the fact he didn’t know what those Fiore assholes were doing to Luca right now. What kind of state he was in. Dom wanted to make sure Luca was still alive and in one piece, that he wasn’t hurt…

Shit. This was more about rescuing him then getting him back. Well, no one needed to know that.

“So what’s the plan?”

Dom’s feet came to a stop, and he turned to face his friend and confidant. “Plan?”

Chef chuckled. “I know you’re cooking up something—”

“That’s your wheelhouse, not mine.”

“Not when it comes to bucking the rules. You make a living out of defying your old man, and you’re the only one who can get away with it. Well, you and Caterina.”

Dom thought back to his father’s strict warning to not go after Luca, and damn it, Chef was right. His first instinct was to say “fuck it” and tear out of there. But on the heels of that came the reminder that he was the heir to this family, the next in line to run the Rossetti empire, and while he might not have a problem risking his life, it wasn’t fair to worry his father in such a way.

“I don’t have a plan.”

“Then let’s make one.”

“You know, my father asked me why I was so reckless with my life earlier. I think you might have something to do with that. Shouldn’t you be talking me out of going off on my own?”

“If that’s what you want, I can go get Gino.”

“Fuck you.”

Chef screwed up his nose. “I think I’m a little old for you, and apparently a little too hardened. You’re preferring young and innocent these days, no?”

Dom clenched his jaw but didn’t bother denying it. Chef knew him too well, and he’d seen all the signs leading up to Dom and Luca’s coming together. As a very vivid image of his cum all over Luca’s back flashed in his mind, Dom licked his lips.

“Exactly.” Chef grinned. “So, what’s the plan?”

“I told you. I don’t fucking have one.”

“Okay, no need to get testy.”

Dom scowled, and Chef started to laugh.

“We’ll just make one.”

“Simple as that, huh?”

“I wouldn’t say breaking into the Fiore compound, tracking Luca down, then sneaking him out is simple.” Chef shrugged. “I mean, let’s be real, we’re also going to have to convince the kid to come with us. You know, the guys who first wanted to kill him.”

Dom let out a sigh and rubbed the back of his neck.

“But these are all things we can overcome.”

“Okay, you’re starting to sound like a supportive mother to a troubled teen.”

Chef’s lips curled into the smile all the ladies thought of as charming, but Dom saw right through it. “You are as moody as one.”

“You did see me put a bullet through someone’s head earlier, right?”

Chef gave a clipped nod. “He knew the rules. That’s what rats get. If it wasn’t for him, we wouldn’t be out here plotting a way to get you in and out of your mortal enemy’s compound alive. Speaking of, you do know if we do this, we are risking imminent death from two people, Fiore and your father?”

Dom did know that, but his mind was made up even before he’d consciously made the decision. It was irresponsible and foolish, and there were a million more reasons he shouldn’t even consider doing this. But…

He pictured Luca’s face and those innocent, soulful eyes, and something inside his chest twisted.

This was a bad idea. Maybe the worst he’d ever had, and the repercussions could be catastrophic.

But fuck it. He was going to do it anyway.