Chapter 6 - THE WOMAN BESIDE THE KING
Dominic moved Linda and Keo into his private residence.
The estate became a fortress.
Security doubled.
No one entered without clearance.
Linda hated it.
"I feel like a prisoner."
"You're protected."
"There's a difference."
Dominic looked at her.
"You could leave."
She stared.
"Would you let me?"
"Yes."
"Even now?"
"Especially now."
Linda stepped closer.
"Then why do I feel like you don't want me to?"
Dominic's expression softened.
"Because I don't."
She smiled.
"That's honest."
"I'm trying."
"For a mafia boss, you're terrible at romance."
"I've never needed romance."
"Clearly."
He almost smiled.
Keo watched from the doorway.
"Are you two dating?"
Linda nearly choked.
Dominic looked at the boy.
"Go to bed."
Keo grinned.
"That's a yes."
He disappeared.
Linda laughed.
Dominic stared at her.
"What?"
"You laugh differently now."
"So do you."
He stepped closer.
"I want to kiss you."
Her smile disappeared.
"Why aren't you?"
"Because I want you to choose it."
Linda's heart raced.
She touched his shirt.
"I choose it."
Their first kiss was gentle.
No urgency.
No violence.
Just warmth.
For Dominic, it was more frightening than any gunfight.
Because he suddenly had something he couldn't afford to lose.
The next morning, the war escalated.
Three Gallo warehouses were attacked.
Two lieutenants were killed.
The Morettis seized a port.
Dominic left before breakfast.
Linda stopped him.
"Come back."
He looked at her.
"I will."
"You promise?"
"Yes."
She kissed him.
"Then come back."
Dominic returned twelve hours later covered in rain and blood.
Linda ran to him.
He caught her.
"I'm alive."
"I know."
"I promised."
She held him tighter.
"I was scared."
"So was I."
"You?"
"Yes."
"Of what?"
"Not seeing you again."
She looked up.
"You've changed."
"No."
He touched her cheek.
"You changed me."
Then the power went out.
Gunfire erupted outside.
Dominic pushed Linda behind him.
"Stay here."
"No."
He looked at her.
She held a gun.
"Linda."
"I learned."
He almost smiled.
"Good."
Together, they moved through the dark mansion.
The attackers had breached the east wing.
Dominic's men engaged them.
Linda saw one attacker approaching from behind.
"Dominic!"
She fired.
The man dropped.
Dominic looked back.
"Nice shot."
She exhaled.
"Thank you."
He shook his head.
"I really did hire the wrong maid."
Linda smiled.
"I'm not your maid anymore."
"No."
May you like
He reached for her hand.
"You're my partner."
