Dominic walked through the dim corridors until he reached a large door. One of his guards stepped ahead and opened it. Dominic walked into the grand room, intricately designed in tones of black, deep blue, and silver.
At the far end of the room, a sliding glass door led to his inner sanctuary. He slid it open to find Vivienne sprawled across his bed, propped on her elbows like she owned the place.
"I remember telling you not to go near my bed," he said flatly, his voice devoid of warmth.
"I didn't think you'd come back here tonight," she said with a smirk. "Thought you'd be busy with your little birdie."
He didn't answer. He moved past her toward the mini dressing room lined with tailored suits. Without a word, he shrugged off his jacket and handed it to a guard. Then he turned and took his seat in a grand black chair across from the bed.
"What did you want to talk about?" he asked as he sat.
"You're ignoring my conversation about your little birdie," she said, tilting her head.
"Get to your point," he replied with his cold gaze. With a sigh, Vivienne got up from the bed and walked toward the window in the corner.
"The Maxwells have been quite busy these days. I'm guessing they've shipped in something they're trying to cover up from the council," Vivienne said. Dominic raised a brow, ushering her to continue.
"Whatever it is they've shipped in, they plan to use it to cause a major incident that will throw the council off balance. And in the midst of that chaos, they'll use the chance to gain a strong footing in the council."
"I'm sure you already have everything sorted out. If that's all, you can leave," Dominic said coldly.
Vivienne walked up to him and sat on his lap, playing with his hair. "You're always so cold to me," she whispered. "I saw the way you looked at her. You've never looked at me like that. It makes me jealous."
"You are forbidden from touching Alessia," Dominic said, his tone sharp enough to slice.
She chuckled softly. "What makes you think you can order me around, Mr. Moretti?"
She leaned closer. "Don't forget… You need me just as much as I need you."
She slid off his lap and walked out of the room, her perfume still lingering. "See you later, my dear Dominic."
"Burn it," he ordered, and a maid took the bedspread out of the room.
"Ray," Dominic called.
"Yes, boss," he responded.
"I need you to send a message to the Ash Graves."
"Yes, boss." Ray bowed.
Outside his room, Vivienne walked down the hallway with her guard by her side. "He's planning something, and it won't benefit me in any way. But he's exposed his vulnerability to me," she said with a sly smirk as her heels echoed through the hallway.
THE NEXT DAY
The morning sun crept through the velvet curtains like an uninvited guest, casting its warmth on Alessia, who lay on her large bed, pondering her next move, her eyes devoid of sleep. She stood up and walked to the window, watching the serene garden below her.
A knock on her door echoed through the room, and before she could respond, the door opened. Dominic walked in, her mood changing instantly.
"Don't you have any manners? You can't walk into a lady's room uninvited," she said.
"Well, I can if I'm getting married to the lady tomorrow," he said as he walked up to her. Her face turned pale at the reminder of the event that brought her here. "I would've asked how your first night was, but your tired eyes tell me all I need to know." He placed his palm on her cheek.
She instantly slapped his hand off.
"Why are you here?" she asked coldly.
"Can't I come see my beautiful bride-to-be?" he chuckled.
"There. You've seen me. You can leave."
"Don't be so hasty. Get ready in 45 minutes. Your personal guard will bring you to me when you're ready. Don't be late," he said, turning to leave the room.
"If I don't come?" she asked, stopping him as he reached the door. He looked at her and smiled coldly before leaving.
She let out a heavy sigh and headed to the shower.
A few minutes later, she was dressed in a white collared shirt and black jeans that hugged her legs and waist. The same female guard from last night stood at the entrance and ushered Alessia to follow her.
They walked to a corner of the house where a door stood. The guard opened it, revealing a large library adorned with shelves lined with countless books.
At the corners of the library were two staircases circling the room, reaching up to more shelves. Alessia climbed the stairs in awe as she looked around.
"Do you like it?" Dominic asked from behind.
"Why did you bring me here?" she asked, ignoring his question.
"Follow me," he said as he walked toward a shelf different from the others. He pulled a book halfway, and the shelf slid open, revealing an iron door. He opened a panel beside it and typed in a code. The iron door opened to reveal a study. Dominic entered, and Alessia followed. The door shut behind them.
"Where is this place?" she asked.
"This will be our private meeting spot. No one else should know of it," he said sternly.
"And why is that?" Alessia asked.
"Just obey, like a good little girl," he said.
Alessia squinted at him before turning to leave.
"I'm not the one responsible for your family's downfall," he said, making her stop.
"Like I'll ever believe a word a jerk like you says," she responded.
"You can choose not to believe, but if I wanted your family gone, you wouldn't be standing here," he said as he walked closer.
"Oh yeah? Then who's responsible?" she asked, crossing her arms.
"I can't tell you that," he said.
She shook her head and continued to leave. "If you're trying to deceive me so I'll let my guard down, you'll have to try harder than that," she said, walking out. At the door, she turned back. "You were the only person I trusted. My family has always been your ally, but for your greed and ambition, you tore us down. And I will never forgive you for the things you did," she added before leaving the secret room, walking through the library, and heading back to her room.
"I don't need her to believe me," Dominic muttered to himself, "I will protect her for as long as I live, and I will do everything in my power to bring down the people responsible for this."