Underworld Submission (book 1)

The Crossroads

The evening had fully embraced the city by the time Dominic Russo returned to his penthouse, the cool night air a sharp contrast to the warmth of his office. Dominic, usually so composed and confident, found himself grappling with an unfamiliar sense of uncertainty. The meeting with Adrian Hayes had left him introspective, and his thoughts were a tangle of unresolved emotions and professional considerations.

He entered his study, a sanctuary of refined taste and calm, and poured himself a glass of aged scotch. The rich amber liquid swirled in the glass as he took a seat in his leather armchair, the weight of the day settling heavily on his shoulders. Adrian's departure from the case and his unexpected retirement had sparked a contemplation that Dominic had been trying to ignore.

The thought of offering Adrian a position within his organization had crossed Dominic's mind during their conversation. It was a way to keep Adrian close, to perhaps explore what lay beneath their professional facade. But the idea was fraught with complications, not the least of which was the personal dynamics that had begun to surface.

As Dominic mulled over his thoughts, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and saw a message from his best friend and confidant, Luciano Moretti. Luciano was more than a trusted ally; he was a voice of reason and sometimes, an unwelcome but necessary mirror reflecting Dominic's inner conflicts.

"Need to talk. Come over when you can."

Dominic sighed, knowing that Luciano's visit was inevitable. He poured another glass of scotch and settled into his chair, waiting for his friend to arrive.

An hour later, Luciano arrived, his presence as commanding as ever. He was a man of imposing stature, with a sharp, discerning gaze that often saw through pretense. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Luciano settled into a chair opposite Dominic, his expression serious.

"I assume you're not just here for a casual drink," Luciano said, his tone probing. "What's going on?"

Dominic took a deep breath, trying to articulate the tumult of his thoughts. "It's about Adrian Hayes. After our meeting today, I've been thinking about offering him a position within my organization."

Luciano raised an eyebrow. "Adrian Hayes? The detective who's been taken off the Russo case?"

"That's the one," Dominic confirmed. "He's shown a lot of insight and capability. More than that, he's someone who's intrigued me on a personal level."

Luciano's gaze sharpened. "Intrigued you on a personal level? Dominic, you're not just talking about his professional skills, are you?"

Dominic hesitated, swirling the scotch in his glass. "I suppose you could say that. There's something about him that's more than just professional interest. I find myself thinking about him, wondering if there's more to our connection."

Luciano leaned forward, his tone becoming more direct. "Let me be clear. You're talking about someone you have personal feelings for, aren't you? This isn't just about offering him a job. There's something deeper here."

Dominic's expression was a mixture of frustration and reluctance. "Yes, Luciano, there's something deeper. But it's complicated. I'm trying to figure out what to do with these feelings and how to navigate them without jeopardizing everything I've built."

Luciano's gaze was unwavering. "And what about the truth of your sexuality? Are you planning on revealing that to him? Because if you're thinking of offering him a position and involving him in your world, that's something he deserves to know."

Dominic's eyes met Luciano's, the weight of the question pressing heavily on him. "I've kept that part of my life private for a long time. Revealing it to Adrian—someone who's already in a precarious situation—complicates things further."