Page 49 of Beautiful Desire

Don’t even think about it.

Bosshole

Wouldn’t dream of it.

The elevator chimes, letting me know I’ve arrived at my floor. Getting off, I walk down the hall to my apartment with a smile on my face, surprisingly courtesy of one Dominic Lombardi.

CHAPTER15

DOM

The afternoon sunshines as I drive along the quiet country road. I don’t often drive myself around, but I find it therapeutic. A low hum of music plays through the car as I make my way toward Fabi and Gia’s house. Fabi is the only person I trust to help me with this. I just hope he can do it.

I pull up to the front of the house, jump out of my car, and head to the front door. Ringing the doorbell, I look around at the vast amount of space Fabi has and start to think maybe a place out of the city is what I need after all.

“Oh, Dom. Hey. What’s up?” His brow furrows in confusion, no doubt at my unexpected visit.

“Hey, Fabi. I’m sorry to just drop in on you like this, but I need help with something, and you’re the only person I can trust with this,” I tell him honestly.

Taking a step back, he opens the door farther and cranes his head backward. “Come on in.”

Walking into the kitchen, I see Gia sitting at the table with a highchair in front of her. Nico sits there, looking up at me as I move around to give her a peck on the cheek.

“It’s been a long time, stranger,” Gia says, pulling me in for a hug.

I feel like shit having just showed up out of nowhere again, but as much as I hate to admit it, it was beyond my control.

I hear another set of footsteps getting closer to the kitchen and look up in time to see Elle walk in. A brief look of shock is evident on her face before she quickly schools her features. Just the mere sight of her has my body coming alive.

“Elle,” I say as I stand next to Gia, not really knowing what to say or do.

Clearing her throat, she replies, “Hi, Mr.—I mean Dom.”

A blush paints her cheeks as she moves to the sink and begins washing out some already-used bottles.

“Shall we go into my office?” Fabi asks and, without waiting on my reply, starts off in that direction.

“See you later, ladies,” I say, sneaking one last look at Elle before quickly following him out of the kitchen.

“So, what can I help you with?” Fabi asks, getting straight to the point.

“I need your help getting rid of this,” I say, throwing the flash drive on his desk.

Just looking at it makes my heart race, and memories ofthatnight threaten to make an appearance.

He doesn’t say anything for a minute. He rounds his desk and takes a seat in his leather office chair. Reclining back, he sits there looking at the shiny piece of metal that has been haunting me for the last year.

“Everything Nero’s been holding over my head this past year is on that. I need someone good, someone who can delete every single trace of thiseverhaving existed on any device and cloud memory ever.” I take a seat, leaning forward in the chair.

Without missing a beat, he replies, “Consider it done.”

“I can’t have this get out. I’ve worked too hard to get here. Which is why I need to know, who do you have who you trust most in Italy? We need to take this son of a bitch down. I can’t live the rest of my life like this.” My knee bounces as I wait for his response.

“Dom, I told you when you called me. I’ve got your back, brother. You’re family.”

Fabi has been there for me more than anyone else ever has. I don’t think he’ll ever understand how much I appreciate him.

We spend the next hour in his office going over the details. I give him as much information as I can and hope it’s enough to get rid of Nero once and for all. Stiff from sitting for so long in these goddamn chairs, I stand and begin to stretch.

---