Lucas raised a hand to gently cut her off. "It's a contingency, Ms. Montrose. I trust Dominic's judgment on the matter. If the first shock isn't sufficient to move the Temple, we must be prepared with a second, undeniably persuasive shock."
Dominic nodded slowly. "I'll consider appropriate measures, if needed." Even as he said it, part of him bristled at not being looped in earlier on any "larger incident." How far was Lucas willing to go? But he kept any reservations well masked. Lucas would not respond well to squeamishness or moral hesitation.
Lucas stood, apparently satisfied. "Good. Now, both of you get some rest while you can. Tomorrow will be... eventful." He circled back behind his chair, then added, "Dominic, a word before you go."
Eva took that as her cue to leave. She gave Dominic a brief, concerned glance as she collected her tablet and headed out. Dominic remained seated until the door closed behind her, leaving father and son alone in the dim boardroom.
Lucas stepped close, one hand resting on the back of Dominic's chair. His voice lowered to almost a murmur. "You did well with Novak. But remember: these moves we make, they have consequences. Not just for our enemies, but for us. Cover Helios's tracks not only to avoid scandal, but to protect yourself. If anything ever pointed back to you... I would have limited means to shield you without jeopardizing everything."
Dominic looked up at his father, a familiar mix of yearning and resentment stirring at those words. Was that concern in Lucas's tone, or a subtle warning? Perhaps both. "I understand. I've made sure nothing leads to me directly."
Lucas's gaze softened a fraction. He laid a hand on Dominic's shoulder. The gesture was almost paternal — a touch of genuine feeling, if a bit late in life. "The city is a hydra. Cut off one head, two more emerge. Our job is to cauterize the wounds as we inflict them. Don't hesitate to do what's necessary, Dominic. But be smart, be quick, and never let your guard down."
Dominic nodded. "I won't."
"Good." Lucas squeezed his shoulder once, then released it. "You're a vital part of this, son. Prove to me I was right to trust you with it."
"I will, Father," Dominic replied, meeting Lucas's eyes steadily. In that moment he felt a swell of determination—and something like pride at Lucas's acknowledgement. It was a rare thing to receive direct praise from Lucas Alaric.
Lucas turned away, the moment of intimacy passed. "Get some sleep. Tomorrow night, we change Chicago's course."
Dominic stood and quietly excited, leaving Lucas once again gazing out over the waking city.
In the corridor, he found Eva waiting by the elevator bank, concern etched on her face. As he approached, she searched his eyes. "Everything alright?"
The elevator chimed open and Dominic gestured for her to enter with him. As the doors closed on the empty hall, he allowed himself a sigh. "You know him. He wanted to emphasize the stakes."
Eva pursed her lips. "Stakes. Right." She hesitated, then lowered her voice as if someone might still overhear. "Dom... how far are you willing to go with this? The rally, blaming gangs, pushing these measures... I know we believe it's for the greater good, for stability. But when I hear Lucas talk about 'larger incidents'... it worries me."
Her candor was something Dominic valued; there were few whose honesty he permitted. He studied the floor numbers blinking downward before replying, "It worries me too. But he's not wrong about Temple. The city's on a knife's edge. If our plan works, we bring order. If we falter... others will seize momentum. Then we get chaos without end."
Eva nodded slowly. "Just promise me: whatever happens, you'll be careful. There are lines—"
"I know," he interrupted softly, offering a reassuring look. "I have no intention of becoming a monster, Eva. We'll do what we must, nothing more."
She managed a small smile and placed a hand on his arm briefly. "Alright. Get some rest, then. I'll coordinate with comms and check in later. And Dom... good work tonight."
He gave her a faint, tired grin. "You too. Couldn't do this without you."
The elevator opened at the lobby, and they parted ways in the marble hall – Eva toward the communications wing, Dominic to the private garage where Jasper would be waiting to drive him home, or rather, to his apartment for a few hours of restless sleep.
As Dominic walked, Helios Tower's polished interior reflected back at him in endless variations. His own figure ghosted over the walls alongside AR projections of Helios slogans: Bringing Light to the City, Security Through Innovation. Empty words in carefully crafted fonts. In the glass of the lobby's grand entrance he glimpsed himself – a man striding with purpose, carrying the weight of conspiracies on his shoulders. A strategist at the height of his powers.
Yet Eva's question lingered. How far was he willing to go? Dominic had always told himself that all his machinations ultimately served a vision: a stable, efficient city where ambition could thrive without the drag of chaos. A Chicago that shone again, guided by wise hands like his and Lucas's. Machiavelli taught that the ends could justify the means if the ends were noble enough. Dominic had believed that, had lived by that creed.
Stepping into the underground garage, he heard the low thrum of his car's engine already on. Jasper had anticipated his arrival. Dominic took one last breath of the cool, filtered air and slid into the back seat.
Jasper glanced at him through the mirror. "Home, sir?"
Dominic caught his own eyes in that reflection – they looked tired, a hint of the night's fatigue creeping in at last. "Yes. And step on it, Jasper. Tomorrow's a big day."
The security gate lifted and the car rolled out into the early morning streets. Behind him, Helios Tower's golden crest slowly receded. Ahead, the city streets glistened with the promise of a new day – a day Dominic would shape by his will, for better or worse.