THE MAFIA KING BROKEN ROSE novel Chapter 179

Chapter 179

Dominic’s POV

“It’s almost time sir,” Matthias said.

I adjusted my cufflinks, checking the time on my Rolex. The meeting with Victoria was set for midnight at the old warehouse on century street. Not exactly the most romantic location, but then again, this wasn’t a romantic rendezvous.

“Have the car ready,” I told Matthias, straightening my tie. “And make sure the perimeter is secure.”

“Already done, sir. Though I still think this is a bad idea.”

“Noted.” I slipped my gun into its holster beneath my jacket. “Victoria Romano isn’t stupid enough to try anything. She knows what would happen.”

As I turned to leave, I heard the soft rustle of sheets from the bedroom. Aria wasn’t fully asleep – I could tell by the way her breathing hadn’t quite settled into the deep rhythm of slumber. She’d been restless all evening, tossing and turning like she could sense something was wrong.

1 paused at the doorway, watching her silhouette in the dim light. Even pretending to sleep, she was beautiful. Her dark hair spilled across the pillow, and her face, usually so guarded during the day, looked peaceful in the moonlight streaming through the window.

“Dominic?” Her voice was barely a whisper.

“Go back to sleep, cara mia.”

She sat up slowly, the silk nightgown slipping off one shoulder. “Where are you going?”

“Business. Nothing for you to worry about.”

O

E

“At this hour?” She swung her legs over the side of the bed, her amber eyes wide with concern. “It’s past midnight.”

Indeed it was. Victoria had changed the time, saying a woman must be well prepared.

Sly fox.

“Business doesn’t keep regular hours in my world, you know that.”

She stood up, crossing the room to me. “Dominic, please. I have a bad feeling about this. Can’t it wait until morning?”

“Aria-”

画

“No, listen to me.” She grabbed my arm, her fingers digging into the expensive fabric of my suit. “Something feels wrong. Really wrong. Please don’t go.”

looked down at her, seeing the genuine fear in her eyes. For a moment, I almost wavered. Almost. But Victoria had been clear – tonight, or the Fletcher situation would escalate beyond control.

“It’s just a meeting,” I said gently, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Victoria wants to discuss the Fletcher matter. Nothing more.”

“Victoria Romano?” The fear in her voice intensified. “Dominic, she hates you. She’s been trying to destroy us for months. This has to be a trap.

“She’s not stupid enough to try anything direct. Too many people know where I’m going.”

“That’s not the point and you know it.” Her grip tightened. “Please. I’m begging you. Don’t go

cupped her face in my hands, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. “I’ll be back before you know it. Go to sleep.”

“Dominic…”

Chapter 179

“That’s an order, Aria.”

The words came out harsher than I intended, and I saw her flinch. But I couldn’t afford to show weakness, not even to her. Especially not to her.

I left her standing there, her pleas echoing in my ears as I walked down the hallway.

The warehouse district was eerily quiet as our convoy pulled up to the designated meeting spot. The old brick building loomed against the night sky, its broken windows like dead eyes staring down at us.

“Sir,” Matthias said from the driver’s seat, “the perimeter team reports no unusual activity, but…”

“But?”

“Something feels off. Too quiet.”

I checked my watch. “Victoria’s always been punctual. She should be here by now.”

As if summoned by my words, a sleek black sedan pulled up across the street. Victoria stepped out, her red dress a splash of color against the darkness. Even from a distance, I could see her predatory smile.

“Stay sharp,” I told Matthias. “If anything goes wrong-”

“I know the drill, sir.”

I walked across the empty street, my footsteps echoing off the surrounding buildings. Victoria met me halfway, her heels clicking against the asphalt.

“Dominic,” she purred, her voice like honey laced with poison. “You actually came.”

“Let’s get this over with, Victoria. What do you want?”

“Straight to business? How disappointing. I was hoping we could catch up first.”

“We have nothing to catch up about.”

She laughed, a sound like breaking glass. “Oh, but we do. How’s your little pet?”

My jaw clenched. “Leave her name out of your mouth.”

“Touched a nerve, did I?” She circled me slowly, like a predator sizing up its prey. “Well I won’t call her a pet since she will give you access to international waters with the Australians.”

“What do you want with the Fletchers?”

“Ah, yes. The Fletchers.” She stopped in front of me, tilting her head. “They’ve been causing quite a stir, haven’t they? Asking questions about old business. Making waves.”

“And you want me to handle it.”

“I want you to return what belongs to them. And end this nonsense before it gets any messier.”

I studied her face, looking for the angle. There was always an angle with Victoria. “What’s in it for you?”

“Maybe I’m feeling generous. Maybe I’m tired of the complications.” She stepped closer, her perfume heavy in the night air. “Or maybe I have a proposition for you.”

“I’m listening.”

Chapter 178

“At least mine doesn’t have raw eggs in it!”

零 95%0

“Fair point.” He took another sip and grimaced slightly. “Though I’m starting to question my life choices but it does taste good on my tastebud.”

I brought out my tongue as I mixed my drink. It’s something I developed when living with my parents. It calmed me down during moments like this.

We stood there in comfortable silence for a moment, both of us sipping our respective drinks and trying not to think about how gross they were.

“Dominic,” I started, then stopped. “Can I ask you something?”

“Shoot.”

“Victoria… what happened with—”

“Listen,” he interrupted, his expression shifting. “My favorite music is playing.”

I paused, listening. Soft classical music was indeed flowing from somewhere in the house. “Wait… is that a waltz?”

“Yeah, so?”

“You like waltz music?” I couldn’t hide my surprise. “You don’t look like someone who likes waltz.”

His mouth quirked up in that dangerous smile. “What do I look like I listen to then?”

“I don’t know… heavy metal? Angry rap music? The sound of people screaming?”

He laughed, a real laugh that transformed his entire face. “The sound of people screaming?”

“You’re in the mafia, Dominic. I just assumed…”

“That I have no culture? No appreciation for the finer things?” He set down his glass and extended his hand. “Dance with me, mia cara.”

“What? No. I can’t dance.”

“Everyone can dance. Come on.”

“Dominic, it’s the middle of the night, we’re in the kitchen, and I’m wearing pajamas.”

“Perfect dancing attire.” He wiggled his fingers. “Don’t make me ask twice.”

Something in his tone made me put down my water glass. “This is ridiculous.”

“Completely ridiculous,” he agreed, pulling me into his arms.

His hand was warm on my waist, his other hand gentle as it took mine. He began to move, slow and sure, guiding me in the simple steps of the waltz.

“See? You’re a natural.”

“I’m stepping on your feet.”

“I’ve had worse injuries.”

“From dancing?”

“From many things.” His voice was soft, almost dreamy. “But this… this is nice.”

I looked up at him, this dangerous man who drank milk with hot sauce and raw eggs, who listened to waltz music in the middle of the night, who could kill someone with his bare hands but held me like I was made of glass.

Chapter 178

“Even though you were a jerk at the beginning, the more I knew about you, the more j realized you’re not what I expected,” I admitted quietly.

“What did you expect?”

“To remain…like the monster I knew.”

He spun me gently, bringing me back to his chest. “Maybe I am a monster. Maybe I just want to be different with you now…”

“No,” I said, surprising myself with my certainty. “Monsters don’t dance to waltz music in their kitchens.”

“They don’t?”

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