The lights in Dominic's massive room closed in, bouncing off the shiny floors and fancy stuff. Little groups had already formed, eyes glued on the entrance. Alessia walked in, trying to look cool, but her insides were doing the jitterbug. It felt like everyone was watching her, judging her every move.
Across the room, Lyon Michigan was staring her down. Skinny as a rail, he leaned against the wall, his eyes practically stripping her bare, giving her the creeps. Then, bold as brass, he smiled, like he could see right through her act. Alessia felt totally exposed, her fake calm cracking under the strain.
She knew Dominic's enemies saw her as a way to get to him, a tool, a tender spot to poke. She felt dumb for thinking waltzing into Dominic's life would be a walk in the park, or a good idea. Now this long-lost wife show put everyone on guard. She was stuck in a game she didn't get, just a piece in some sick puzzle.
Dominic, always on alert, caught her discomfort. He moved closer, using his size to block her from the staring crowd. He put his hand on her waist, marking his area, a clear warning to back off. It wasn't a sweet move, more a she's mine statement. He was drawing a line: mess with her, and you're messing with him.
A low buzz filled the room, bits of whispers floating around. A voice, a bit louder than the rest, said, Dominic ain't what he used to be. Heads nodded, eyes darting between Dominic and Alessia. The whispers sparked tension, filling the room with hidden threats. Alessia felt the vibe change, the secret plans bubbling under the surface. She wanted to run, but she was trapped in a game she never asked to play.
Lyon's eyes were still fixed on her, dissecting her, looking for any sign of fear, any doubt, anything Dominic's shield couldn't hide. Alessia felt fear creeping like ice water. One wrong move, one shaky breath, and she'd be marked in some blood feud.
Dominic's deep voice cut through the noise. Stay close, he whispered, his breath hot against her ear. Simple words, but they hung heavy.
Alessia gave a slight nod, thankful for the bit of safety he offered, a break from the hungry eyes. She knew her only choice was to stay close to him, letting him guide her through this dangerous mess.
The meeting went on, crime bosses nodding and greeting each other with short gestures. Under it all, Alessia sensed the shifting power, the subtle games, the thin line between trust and backstabbing. Her return had been filed as either a weakness or golden chance.
She tried to keep her cool, just like Dominic, his calm face being the only thing protecting either of them, but Alessia could sense Dominic's own rising tension with each second.
His hand was firm on her waist, a grip that sent a clear message: she belonged to him, and any action against her was an action against him. Alessia took a slow breath, focusing on his solid presence, instead of the feeling of being watched. Even with Dominic by her side, she couldn't shake off Lyon's stare; each new glance was a new anxiety. The risk of being a pawn, the results of stepping into Dominic's world, made her stomach clench; and she balled her fists, reminding herself she was sturdy. She might be a target, but she had gotten through worse.
Dominic was all over it, keeping her safe from the calculating looks. Alessia knew she had to play it smart, balancing obedience with quick thinking, awareness with an act of calm. Each gesture, each smile, each small act meant a new path for them. Alessia needed to learn, and fast. After the meeting ended, the room was filled with brief conversations and darting eyes, everyone sizing up friends and enemies.
Alessia quietly sighed when she saw that less people were focused on her. Even then, she felt worried right to her bones, knowing they were being watched, especially with Lyon.
As they walked, Dominic pulled his hand away from her waist and looked around the room again. "You need to stay close," he stated this in a normal tone but emphasized. Alessia agreed, understanding that not agreeing wasn't an option. Later that night, after they exited the building, Alessia thought. She was officially back, something she had already known. But, the tense meeting cemented she didn't want it.
And now, the risks were even more great. Her life depended on staying sharp, doing as she was told, and keeping her eyes peeled. And Dominic… Dominic would keep her secure, but his safety was a chilling hint that in his world, being soft was a death wish, and even st
rength came at a cost.