Page 36 of Mafia Don's Twisted Union

I stare at the photo, my pulse a steady thrum in my ears. “She’ll find out when the time is right,” I say. “Not before.”

The door creaks open slightly, and I glance up to see Mia standing there, hesitant. She’s wearing one of my shirts, its oversized fit swallowing her frame, but her presence fills the room in a way that makes it impossible to look away.

“Am I interrupting?” she asks softly.

Leo straightens, closing the folder quickly. “I was just leaving,” he says, slipping past her and closing the door behind him.

Mia steps closer, her eyes searching mine. “You’ve been in here for hours,” she says. “You didn’t even eat.”

“I’ve been busy,” I reply, my voice softer than I intended.

She moves closer, her steps hesitant, as if she knows the weight of what lies unspoken between us. Her gaze falls to the desk, to the scattered plans and reports, before meeting mine again.

“Is it... safe here?” she asks finally, her voice trembling just enough to reveal the fear she’s been hiding.

“Yes,” I say firmly, standing and closing the space between us. “No one will touch you, Mia. Not here, not anywhere. I’ll make sure of it.”

Her shoulders relax slightly, but I can see the questions in her eyes, the doubts she doesn’t voice. I want to tell her everything—about Dominic, about Matteo—but the words stick in my throat.

For now, silence is my shield.

Mia reaches out, her hand brushing against mine, a small gesture that sends a wave of resolve through me. I step back to the desk, already planning the next move to ensure her safety, even if it means holding onto the secrets that threaten to fracture us.

The door clicks shut behind Mia as she returns to Bianca’s side, leaving me in the stillness of the study. I exhale slowly, gripping the edge of the desk as the weight of the day bears down on me. Every instinct screams for action—for vengeance—but I know this isn’t a battle I can win with brute force alone.

My phone buzzes, cutting through the silence. It’s Leo again.

“What is it?” I ask, not bothering with formalities.

“There’s chatter about Dominic reaching out to Mia,” Leo says, his tone clipped. “We intercepted a courier—someone tried to deliver a note to her earlier today.”

A chill sweeps down my spine. “What did it say?”

“Not much. Just a time and place. Looks like Dominic wants to meet her,” Leo replies. “What do you want me to do?”

For a moment, I say nothing, my mind racing. Dominic’s boldness confirms my worst fears—he’s not just a pawn in Matteo’s game; he’s a variable I can’t fully control. And now, he’s dragging Mia into his chaos.

“Nothing for now,” I say finally, though the decision sits like lead in my chest. “Let the message pass. I need to know how far he’s willing to go.”

Leo pauses, clearly hesitant. “You think it’s a trap?”

“Doesn’t matter if it is,” I reply. “Dominic’s too close. I need to know what he wants, and if Matteo’s using him to get to Mia, we’ll cut the strings before he can pull them tighter.”

Leo sighs but doesn’t argue. “Understood. I’ll keep a close watch.”

“Double the detail on Mia and Bianca,” I add. “They don’t go anywhere alone. Not even inside the penthouse.”

The call ends, and I toss the phone onto the desk, the sharp clatter breaking the silence. My gaze drifts to the photo of Dominic again, the grainy image staring back like a taunt.

The boy who grew up in Mia’s family—the boy she once trusted—has become a man I can’t afford to underestimate.

The sound of soft footsteps draws my attention. I glance up as Mia peeks into the study again, her expression uncertain. “I thought you might need this,” she says, holding a plate of food she must have brought from the kitchen.

The gesture catches me off guard, and for a moment, all the tension melts away. I step forward, taking the plate from her hands, and let my fingers brush hers in the exchange.

“Thank you,” I say, my voice softer than I expected.

She lingers for a moment, her eyes searching mine, before nodding and retreating again. The door closes behind her, and I’m alone once more, the scent of freshly cooked food mixing with the stale air of strategy and secrets.

---