Page 3 of Forbidden Obsession

“Do you think, at this point in my life, any woman has the tenacity to infiltrate my world with pussy, father?”

“Don’t underestimate women.”

“Don’t underestimate me.”

We stared at one another. If he had any idea how seriously he should take that statement, he would.

Dameon’s lips spread. “You’re my pride and joy. I don’t underestimate you at all. I know what you’re capable of, and you’ve made me proud.” He drew on his cigar, held the smoke, and then released it. “You were supposed to eat with me tonight. You can fuck bimbos anytime. Don’t let it happen again.”

“As you wish, Father.”

He nodded, rose to his feet, and extinguished his cigar in a glass ashtray.

“Walk me to the door.”

We moved through my house, and at the side door, he grabbed my shoulder and turned his eyes to me.

“You’re the only one I trust. Remember that.”

“More than Rolando?”

“More than any fuckin’ one.”

We held each other’s gazes, then I nodded.

“I need you to stay vigilant and keep your ears to the streets. We need to find out who this fucker is, the one imitating our signature.”

I nodded again. “I will eventually find him.”

“Dinner, tomorrow. Don’t be late.”

“Yes, sir.”

I watched him leave, saw Rolando glare at me through the car window, then shut the blinds and headed for a shower.

2

Dominic

Traffic was light on campus as the day neared its end. The weather in Manhattan had been cold as frequent storms buffeted the area lately. Today, the sky was dim, and cool shards of wind whipped across my face as I crossed the yard, headed to the campus library.

My career as an academic advisor was the perfect cover. It kept me in a favorable light since everyone knew who Dameon was, that I was his son, and that his billionaire status meant he must’ve screwed over his workers to build his empire to the level it was.

The truth was simple—he was the boss of the Lucas Cosa Nostra. His illegal businesses escalated him to billionaire status. The billiard clubs, casinos, and healthcare facilities were props. He was okay with letting the public assume he overworked his employees, ran sweatshops, and paid unfair wages rather than have them know the truth.

In the eyes of the citizens, my career made me the do-gooder. The one who refused to be a part of Dameon's shady empire by building my own life the way I saw fit but, most importantly, out of his shadow.

I smirked as I strolled toward the door of the library. In another life—one where I’d chosen my destiny—this would’ve been my reality. And though the world around me was real, my reality was as dark as the pits of hell.

“Mr. Lucas!”

I paused, turned, and smiled at the young man running toward me. Anthony Drone was a freshman filled with hopes and dreams and had yet to be tainted by the world's ugly truths. Lucky him.

“Mr. Drone.”

“Hey, sorry, didn’t mean to bother you, but I was thinking about what you said earlier. About the time it would take away from my studies if I switched classes in the middle of my semester versus choosing the appropriate courses to take now.”

I nodded.

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