Chapter 44
Aurora POV
Dominic’s car idles where it did the last time he picked me up, an ominous silhouette beneath the glow of the moonlight overhead.
My heart pounds erratically while making the short walk across the lawn and over to the gate, keeping to the shadow as I move so none of the outside perimeter cameras catch me. Every nerve in my body feels stretched to the breaking point, made worse by how sore I feel from the beating.
Tonight feels different… more dangerous than before. Maybe because the stakes are higher now that I know my life is truly on the line. My plans hinge on successfully deceiving Dominic, a man who is always ten steps ahead of everyone. Getting him to agree to marry Camilla will be next to impossible.
I’m tempted to tell him about the growing suspicions surrounding him. But revealing that truth would mean not only sacrificing Stefano by placing a target squarely on his back, it would guarantee my father’s threat of following through with killing me.
Well, if Dominic doesn’t get to him first.
Risking it is a gamble I’m unwilling to make at the moment, though.
I clench my fists at my sides, digging my nails sharply into my palms. Aside from that, I can't—won’t—throw Stefano to the wolves. Not after everything he's done to protect me as best as he can, comforting me and showing me the love of a father when my own abandoned me.
I refuse to repay that loyalty with betrayal. Especially for a man who seems hellbent on doing whatever the fuck he wants regardless of promising me something different.
If Stefano is right, Dominic’s secrets will all unravel eventually. Maybe once that happens, my father won’t continue to push me into shoving Camilla into his arms. If that happens, I’ll be free from my father’s threats and from Dominic’s manipulations and the danger he constantly drags me into.
Hopefully I can stay out of the crossfire and avoid Dominic dragging me down with him.
There’s still a foolish, traitorous part of me that wanes when I think of him dying.
As soon as the emotion falls over me, I shove it away just as aggressively. There’s no room in my heart to be worrying about Dominic. He is a dangerous man. One who blackmailed me the second he got the chance to and has done everything he can to control and trap me in his web of chaos.
I can’t afford to feel anything genuine for someone who threatens everything and everyone I love. My heart is not my friend here—it’s my enemy.
I draw in a shaky breath in order to steel myself. Remaining calm will be key tonight.
If Dominic thinks I’ve fully surrendered, maybe I can slip beneath his defenses and somehow talk him into taking Camilla instead of me.
Carefully, I slip out from the shadows and approach Dominic’s waiting car. The door opens when I try the handle, a gruff voice telling me to “get in” has me scrambling to comply. The second I get myself buckled in, Dominic shifts the car into gear away and takes off.
He says nothing at first, simply watching me out of the corner of his eye, those dark eyes cataloging my every move. It feels as if he’s waiting for me to crack under the pressure, to give something away as to why I called on him earlier that day.
No matter how tempting it feels to squirm in my seat, I hold still.
Finally, his lips twitch slightly into a half-smile. “So… You wanted to talk?”
“Yes.” I clear my throat, chasing away the gravely sound before continuing. “I thought we should discuss the engagement.”
He nods slowly, merging onto the main street. “Good. Does this mean you have made your decision?”
“Yes,” I say carefully. “But we need to talk about some conditions if I’m actually going to accept.”
His brow lifts slightly. “Conditions? Interesting. Like what?”
I look away briefly, feigning hesitation.
Alright, this is my big moment.
“My father… is still insisting you marry Camilla instead of me. He’s made it quite clear he isn’t taking no as an answer and is forcing me to try and talk you into it. If you want me to marry you, we’re going to have to figure that out.”
Since my beating, I’ve been racking my brain on how to win against the odds clearly stacked against me. Trying to save myself through brute force alone would never work and would end up signing my death warrant much sooner than I wanted.
Outwitting them both would be my only option.
To do that I needed to play both sides. Pretending to do both of their bidding until I could successfully pit them against each other and stand back as they tore each other apart.
It would end up being a fine line to walk but at this point, I’m desperate for anything.
Thankfully, it seems Dominc buys it.
He leans back in the leather seat, seeming almost amused. “Clearly I wasn’t able to get through to him when I visited the other day. No matter, I’ll have another conversation with him. Clarify things.”
“No—” I respond quickly, catching myself before I end up screwing my plan up. “Let me handle it. Just… don’t antagonize him further than you already have.”
He glances at me while turning the wheel, eyes narrowing slightly. “You think you can change my mind and convince me to marry your sister?”
“No,” I say, glancing at him through my lashes, playing the part of damsel perfectly. “But if my father believes I'm trying it'll make things easier. For both of us.”
Dominic seems to consider this, lips curving into a knowing smile. “You’re finally learning how to play the game, Aurora. I’m impressed.”
A chill runs down my spine at the dark amusement in his tone. Oh, if only he knew I’m playing him too. “Yeah, I guess. I didn’t have much choice.”
Something unreadable flashing through his eyes. “No. I suppose you didn’t.”
The rest of the ride passes in tense silence and when the car finally pulls up outside an elegant, exclusive restaurant, I feel the nerves in my stomach begin to coil again. Dominic is clearly putting on a show tonight—reminding me, once again, of the control he wields.
Dinner is a blur of expensive wine, candlelight and Dominic’s watchful gaze. He talks easily about the wedding, the future, his plans for his family once they’re no longer stuck on finding the bratva.
I nod along, murmuring agreements, carefully avoiding revealing any actual information about my true intentions.
Dominic brings me back to his penthouse later on once we finish and the bill is paid. The elevator ride up to his floor is tense, the silence strangely charged between us for some reason. I can’t decide if it’s from me or him and have no time to contemplate it when the elevator dings open.
He guides me through the front door, a hand placed possessively on the small of my back. It sends unwanted sparks of heat across my skin.
“Dominic,” I start, my voice coming out breathless when he spins me around and pins me against the door. “We need to talk more—”
He steps closer, forcing me to tilt my chin up to meet his intense stare. “We can talk later.”
“Dominic—”
His hand cups my jaw, thumb brushing lightly over my lower lip, silencing me immediately. “Stop pretending you don’t want this.”
I shiver despite myself, eyes fluttering closed.
The moment he kisses me, it’s over. I gasp as more heat floods my body, my traitorous heart racing wildly when his hips grind against mine. This is dangerous, I know it, but the hunger between us is impossible to ignore.
When Dominic breaks the kiss, his eyes are dark and stormy. “Tell your father what he needs to hear about Camilla. But remember something when you do: you’re mine. Understand?”
“Yes,” I whisper, knowing I have no choice but to agree.
My plan hinges on his trust—real or otherwise.
Even if it confuses my own heart from believing it wants more.
