The Brightest Star

Chapter 24

Despite Dominic's stamp of approval, I still feel guilty. Maybe it's the years of Catholicism that's been drilled into me. That my feelings, my desires, are somehow a sin. But Dom acts as if nothing has changed.

I sit beside him at breakfast, the room filled with loud chatter and cutlery. Dom takes the plate in front of me and begins to fill it with waffles. I can't help but smile as he adds Nutella and strawberries exactly how I like it. He puts my plate down in front of me with a small smile.

"So," Leon leans his forearms on the table. "Are you ready for tomorrow?"

"Yeah," I reply. "I just need to figure out what to wear."

"Marco can help you with that," Dom says flippantly.

My gaze flicks to Marco. We still haven't spoken since I kissed him the other day. I've been doing my best to avoid him. And based on my level of success, he's been doing the same thing. But he doesn't actually look phased. In fact, he gives me his signature smirk.

"Lucky me," Marco chides. "I get another fashion show."

Leon frowns, "stupid fucking Jasper."

"Sucks to be you," Marco laughs.

"He's your connect," Dom reminds him.

I guess Leon's off to Vipers again today. I'm still not quite sure how the two organizations are related. I get that Leon used to be the boss there but I can't figure out how that translates to his work here. But it's not really my business and I don't actually think I want to know the answer.

"I'm going to be in the city today," Dom turns his attention to me. "I have a few meetings with some clients and I need to hire a new chief of crypto finance."

I simply nod in response. When I think of my brother, I don't think of him as one of them. As a part of an underground community of criminals. I keep forgetting that he hid that part of himself from me. That he hid Dom from me.

"When will you be back?" I ask before taking a bite of my breakfast.

"Before dinner, hopefully," Dom brushes my hair over my shoulder, his fingertips ghosting against my skin. "But I'll come check on you anyways."

His touch makes me sit a bit straighter, "okay."

"You," Dom points at Leon. "Do what needs to be done. I need that video."

Leon gives a half hearted salute. He winks at me and I laugh into my coffee. Dom drops his hand to my thigh and I stop moving entirely. He inches his hand up my leg, under my skirt, as he casually sips his coffee. His finger grazes my panties and I slap my hand over his, stopping his movements. He smirks.

"Tomorrow is black tie," he addresses Marco next. "Full length gown and heels."

"You got it," Marco nods once.

"Ricordate che vogliamo rendere Bianca nervosa," Dom continues. "Fate una dichiarazione."
(Remember that we want to rattle Bianca. Make a statement.)

"What are you planning for tomorrow?" I curiously ask. "Other than bringing me along as arm candy."

Dom smiles a real smile, dimples and everything, "sei più di una semplice caramella al braccio e lo sai."
(You are more than just arm candy and you know it.)

Heat rushes to my cheeks and I look away. God, how is he so good with his words? Why is he able to fluster me like it's nothing?

"There's a lot of things in the works," Leon says. "Hence my visit to Vipers."

"Don't spoil the surprise," Marco scolds.

Dom kisses my temple before leaning close to my ear, "I'm going to destroy her and her family's entire fortune."