Chapter 688
Dominique decided to change tactics. He walked toward Leo, his arms spread wide, and pulled him into a hug before Leo could escape.
"Oh, my goodness, Leo!" Dominique said, his voice loud and enthusiastic. "I will help you find that creep too! If you need any of my resources, I am happy to help. Anything you need. Men, money, information. Just ask."
Leo stood stiffly in Dominique’s embrace, his arms pinned to his sides. His expression was caught somewhere between annoyance and confusion. He looked like a man who had been attacked by a very friendly bear.
"Let go of me," Leo said, his voice flat.
"In a moment," Dominique said, squeezing tighter. "I’m emotionally supporting you."
"I don’t need emotional support," Leo replied.
"Everyone needs emotional support," Dominique insisted.
"Let. Go," Leo said through clenched teeth.
Dominique released him, stepping back with a bright, unapologetic smile. "See? I’m helpful. I’m supportive. I’m—"
"Annoying," Leo finished.
"But helpful," Dominique said cheerfully.
Leo’s expression softened, just slightly. The corners of his lips twitched, though he would never admit it. "Fine. If I need your resources, I’ll let you know."
Dominique beamed. "That’s all I ask."
Bella watched the exchange from the couch, a small smile playing on her lips. Her brown eyes sparkled with amusement. "You two are adorable," she said.
"We’re not adorable," Leo said quickly.
"Completely adorable," Dominique agreed, grinning.
Leo shot him a look that could have frozen fire. Dominique ignored it completely.
"Now," Dominique said, turning back to Bella, his expression growing serious. "Tell me everything. Every detail. I want to help."
Bella looked at Leo. Leo nodded.
She began to talk about the stalker, the diamond, the note, the surveillance footage. Dominique listened carefully, his face serious, his dark eyes focused. He didn’t interrupt. He didn’t make jokes. He just listened, absorbing every word.
After he finished listening to everything, Bella stood up from the couch.
"I have made some dessert, Dom," she said. "Do you want some?"
Dominique’s face lit up like a child on Christmas morning. His whole demeanor shifted from serious to ecstatic in the span of a second. "Sure, sure, sure! How could I refuse your desserts? You’re the dessert queen. The dessert goddess. The—"
"The dessert maker," Bella interrupted, laughing. "I’ll be right back."
She disappeared into the kitchen, her footsteps fading down the hallway. The sound of cabinets opening and closing echoed softly through the house.
Dominique watched her go, his smile fading. Then he turned back to Leo. His expression shifted from playful to serious, his dark eyes sharp.
"Have you found anything in that remote area?" he asked, his voice low. "From the morning investigation?"
Leo leaned back in his chair, his gray eyes hard. "Nothing. No footprints. No witnesses. No clues." He paused, his jaw tightening. "I’ve planted my people around that area. If he comes back, we’ll know."
Dominique nodded slowly. "That’s good. But we need more than that. We need to think like him."
Leo raised an eyebrow. "And how does he think?"
"He’s obsessed. The diamond. The note. The way he called her ’butterfly.’ This isn’t random." Dominique paused, choosing his next words carefully. "I think he likes Bella. Really likes her. Not just as a target...As a person."
Leo’s jaw tightened. His hands curled into fists on the armrests of his chair.
"Is there anyone in her past who might have felt that way?" Dominique asked. "Someone who knew her before she married you?"
Leo was silent for a moment, his gray eyes distant.
"As far as I know, Bella hasn’t been many places," Dominique continued. "She was homeschooled. Her world was small. And after she married you, she’s been under your watch. Everywhere she goes, you know about it."
Leo nodded slowly.
"So whoever this is," Dominique said, "either knew her before she married you, or they’re using her to get to you."
Leo’s eyes darkened. "Alan," he said.
Dominique tilted his head. "Alan?"
"My ex-friend. He used to like Bella." Leo’s voice was flat, emotionless, but his eyes betrayed something colder.
Dominique leaned forward. "Could he be behind this?"
Leo shook his head. "He doesn’t have the resources or the nerve. I have men watching him. It’s not him."
Dominique frowned, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Then we’re back to square one."
The room was quiet. The only sound was the soft ticking of the clock on the wall.
Then Bella’s voice floated in from the kitchen. "Dom, do you want whipped cream on your dessert?"
Dominique’s serious expression cracked. A wide grin spread across his face. "Is that even a question? Of course I want whipped cream! Extra whipped cream!"
Bella laughed. "Coming right up!"
Leo shook his head, but there was a small, almost invisible smile on his lips.
Dominique leaned back in his chair, his eyes drifting toward the kitchen. "She’s handling this well. The stalker. The gift. All of it."
Leo looked at him. "She is."
"Most people would be a mess," Dominique said.
"She’s not most people," Leo replied quietly.
Dominique nodded. "No. She’s not."
Bella returned a few minutes later, carrying a tray with two bowls of dessert. One for Dominique, one for Leo. Chocolate mousse, dark and rich, topped with fluffy whipped cream and delicate chocolate shavings. The aroma filled the room.
Dominique’s eyes widened. "It’s beautiful," he breathed.
"It’s dessert," Bella said, setting the tray on the table.
"It’s art," he corrected.
She laughed and handed him a spoon.
He took a bite, his eyes closing in pure bliss. "Bella. This is the best thing I’ve ever tasted."
"You say that every time," she said, smiling.
"Because it’s true every time," he replied, already reaching for another spoonful.
Leo picked up his own bowl, taking a bite. He chewed slowly, then nodded. "It’s good," he said.
Dominique pointed his spoon at Leo. "High praise from the ice king," he said.
Leo’s eyes narrowed. "Eat your dessert."
"I am eating my dessert. I’m savoring it," Dominique said dramatically.
"Then stop talking," Leo ordered.
Dominique grinned and took another bite, making exaggerated sounds of enjoyment just to annoy him.
Bella sat down beside Leo, curling into his side. He put his arm around her, pulling her close, his thumb tracing small circles on her shoulder.
Dominique finished his bowl and set it down with a satisfied sigh. "Bella, you need to open a bakery," he said.
"I have enough to do," she replied.
"A bakery just for me," he suggested.
"I’ll think about it," she said.
"Think faster," he teased.
Leo shot him a look. Dominique raised his hands in surrender.
"Fine. I’ll be patient." He stood up, stretching his arms above his head. "I should go. It’s getting late."
Bella stood and hugged him warmly. "Thank you, Dom. For coming. For caring."
He hugged her back, his arms gentle around her. "Always, Bella Bell," he said softly.
He turned to Leo, offering his hand. Leo shook it firmly.
"Keep me updated," Dominique said.
"I will," Leo replied.