The Devil Who Claimed Me

Dominic slid a thick file across the table.

"Everything about the Bellini Empire is in there," he said evenly. "Every secret. Every weakness."

Mathius took a slow puff of his cigar before glancing at the file. A knowing smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"You took quite a risk getting your hands on this." He leaned back in his chair. "Aren’t you afraid Luke will discover what you’ve done and have you killed?"

Dominic’s expression remained unreadable. "I’ve never been afraid of taking risks."

Mathius studied him for a moment before chuckling. "Alejandro described you perfectly."

His eyes narrowed with amusement. "Fearless. But I’d add another word: Ruthless."

He tapped a finger on the file.

"You stayed by Luke’s side like his most loyal subordinate, earned his complete trust, then betrayed him in the cruelest possible way."

He smiled knowingly. "You even orchestrated that accident."

Dominic shook his head. "No. I had nothing to do with the accident."

Mathius laughed. "Technically, no. But you were the one pulling the strings. You manipulated Max into doing exactly what you wanted."

A faint smile appeared on Dominic’s lips. Everything had unfolded according to his calculations. Still, he had no intention of admitting it.

"This is a feud between two half-brothers," he said calmly. "I merely intend to bring Luke Bellini down."

"And you will." Mathius stubbed out his cigar. "Once his empire collapses, I’ll make you the new king of the underworld."

"No," Dominic answered without hesitation. "I don’t want the throne."

Mathius stared at him in disbelief. "What?"

For years, Dominic had fought to reach the top. Now, when victory was finally within his grasp, he was turning it down.

"You’ve spent all these years working toward that position," Mathius said. "And now you are telling me you don’t want it?"

Dominic’s gaze darkened. Once, he had wanted that position. But now, he realized that wasn’t enough to keep his family secure. He wanted absolute power.

"I want a seat on the Core Council," he said. "Three council members are already dead. Luke’s empire is on the verge of collapse."

He met Mathius’s eyes. "The council needs someone capable of maintaining order. Otherwise, everything will fall apart, and another organization will seize control."

Mathius fell silent.

Dominic wasn’t wrong.

Luke’s betrayal had already fractured the council. The remaining members had secretly sided with Luke, hoping to overthrow him.

If they weren’t eliminated soon, the balance of power would crumble.

His expression turned grave.

After a long pause, Mathius nodded. "The council is already breaking apart. The remaining members are loyal to Luke. Every one of them wants me dead."

His eyes locked onto Dominic’s. "Help me eliminate them, and I’ll make you my partner. We’ll build a new council. Just the two of us. But..."

He smiled. "We’ll still need someone to sit on the throne."

"I already have someone in mind."

Just as Dominic was about to reveal the name, his phone rang. The moment he saw the caller ID, his expression changed.

He answered immediately. "Talk."

"Boss." A tense voice came through the speaker. "Max tried to kidnap Madam and the baby. We stopped him before he could escape. The police are on their way."

Dominic shot to his feet so abruptly that the chair scraped harshly across the marble floor. His heart lurched.

"How are they?" he demanded.

"Madam and the baby are safe." The guard paused. "Madam is shaken. But neither of them was injured."

Only then did Dominic finally breathe again. He closed his eyes for a brief moment.

A silent prayer of gratitude escaped his heart.

When he opened them again, they were colder than ice.

"I’m on my way."

He ended the call. Without another word, he headed toward the door.

"What happened?" Mathius called after him. "Do you need my men?"

Dominic glanced back over his shoulder. "I can handle this. But I may need your help very soon."

Mathius nodded. "You only have to ask."

Without another second’s delay, Dominic left.

...

He arrived at the Vega mansion.

This time, he didn’t sneak in through the balcony. He walked straight through the front gate.

The guards recognized him as Luke Bellini’s secretary and allowed him inside without question. Adjusting his glasses, Dominic strode into the living room.

"Dominic." The moment Mila saw him, she rushed forward.

She threw herself into his arms, wrapping them tightly around his neck.

Dominic caught her effortlessly, lifting her off the floor as he held her against his chest. Relief flooded through him.

"Thank God you are safe," he whispered.

Tears streamed down her face. "It’s all my fault." Her voice shook violently. "I never should have let him into the house. I put our son in danger."

Dominic gently stroked her back. "Shh... I’ve got you. Everything is alright now."

But Mila couldn’t calm down. Her body still trembled uncontrollably.

"He... he has completely lost his mind." She tightened her grip around him. "He could do anything. He even pointed a gun at our baby."

The memory alone made her shudder. "I was so scared. I had no choice but to obey him."

She buried her face against his chest and sobbed.

Dominic’s jaw tightened. A murderous fury surged through him.

’You dared threaten my family. I’ll make you pay for it.’

Yet none of that anger reached his voice. When he spoke again, it remained gentle.

"He has been taken care of." He brushed a strand of hair away from her tear-streaked face. "The police have arrested him. He won’t come near you again."

Mila slowly looked up. Her red, swollen eyes searched his face.

"Are you sure?" Her fingers tightened around his collar. "He threatened me. He said he’d tell his father everything."

Fear clouded her eyes once more. "Luke Bellini is powerful. He separated us. He imprisoned you and manipulated me."

Her voice grew weaker with every word. "He could hurt us again."

A tear slid down her cheek. "He could kill you."

The last sentence barely escaped her lips. "I don’t want to lose you."

She clung to him desperately. "I need you."

Dominic gently cupped her face. His thumb wiped away her tears.

"Nothing is going to happen to me."

His voice carried unwavering certainty. "Luke Bellini and his men won’t be able to hurt us for much longer."

His eyes grew colder. "Soon, every one of our enemies will fall. Trust me."

He lowered his head and kissed her forehead.

Mila closed her eyes. The fear still lingered in her heart. But so did her faith in him.

She knew Dominic would never stop until everyone responsible for their suffering had paid the price.

"I trust you," she whispered.