Underworld Submission (book 1)

Under Fire

The night air was cool as Dominic and Adrian left the restaurant, the lingering heat of their earlier encounter still crackling between them. Dominic's hand rested on the small of Adrian's back as they walked to his car, a subtle yet possessive gesture that spoke volumes about his need to protect the man beside him.As they drove through the city streets, the tension between them had softened into something more comfortable, though Dominic's mind was still spinning with the recent revelation. He had admitted a truth to Adrian that he had never shared with anyone else, and in return, Adrian had shown him nothing but acceptance. It was a feeling Dominic wasn't accustomed to, but one he found himself craving more of.They reached Adrian's apartment building, a modest structure tucked away in a quieter part of town. Dominic parked the car and turned to Adrian, his gaze steady. "I know this isn't ideal," he said, his voice low, "but I think it's best if you move into my mansion for a while. It's safer there. And... if I'm being honest, I just want you close."Adrian looked at him, a mix of emotions crossing his face—gratitude, concern, and something deeper that Dominic couldn't quite place. "I understand, Dominic. I'll pack my things. It's just for a little while, right?"Dominic nodded, though in truth, he wasn't sure how long this situation would last. The threats were escalating, and with the recent letter from his enemy threatening Adrian, he wasn't taking any chances. "Just until we figure out who's behind this and put a stop to it."Adrian agreed, and they both headed inside to gather his belongings. As they ascended the stairs, Dominic's instincts kicked in, a sense of unease settling in the pit of his stomach. He hadn't survived in his world by ignoring his gut, and right now, something felt off."Stay close," Dominic murmured as they reached Adrian's apartment. "I have a bad feeling about this."Adrian nodded, his eyes scanning the hallway as Dominic unlocked the door. They stepped inside, and while Adrian began to pack his essentials, Dominic moved to the window, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the street below. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end, a sure sign that danger was near.Then, it happened. The sound of a door slamming open down the hall, followed by rapid footsteps approaching. Dominic's heart leaped into his throat as he spun around, just in time to see the first assassin burst through the door, gun drawn."Get down!" Dominic shouted, shoving Adrian behind the couch as he drew his own weapon.The room erupted in chaos. Five armed men stormed in, their faces obscured by masks. Dominic fired a few shots, taking down one of the assailants before they could even react. But the others quickly returned fire, the deafening roar of gunshots filling the small apartment.Adrian crawled to the corner, grabbing the gun Dominic had given him for protection. He peeked out from behind the couch, firing at one of the attackers and clipping him in the shoulder. The man grunted in pain, stumbling back, but it wasn't enough to stop him.Dominic was a whirlwind of precision and control, his movements fluid as he ducked behind furniture, returning fire with lethal accuracy. But the odds were against them—five trained assassins in a confined space. Dominic's only hope was that his men had been alerted by the gunfire and were on their way.The shootout continued, bullets ricocheting off walls and furniture, the room quickly filling with the acrid smell of gunpowder. Dominic took down another assassin, but a third closed in on him, his gun aimed squarely at Dominic's chest.Time seemed to slow. Dominic raised his weapon, but he knew he wouldn't be fast enough. The assassin's finger tightened on the trigger—And then, the door burst open. Dominic's men, a well-trained team of security experts, stormed in, guns blazing. The assassin aiming at Dominic crumpled to the ground as a bullet tore through his side. The others turned to face the new threat, but they were outmatched. Dominic's men moved with deadly efficiency, taking down the remaining attackers in a matter of seconds.The room fell silent, save for the heavy breathing of the survivors. Dominic lowered his gun, his heart pounding in his chest as he surveyed the scene. Four of the assassins lay dead or incapacitated, and the fifth, the one Adrian had shot earlier, was on his knees, clutching his shoulder as blood seeped through his fingers.Dominic's men quickly secured the scene, disarming the remaining assassin and pulling him to his feet. The man glared at Dominic, his eyes filled with hatred, but Dominic was unfazed. He stepped forward, his voice cold and commanding."Who sent you?" Dominic demanded, his gun still trained on the man's chest.The assassin sneered but said nothing. Dominic's men tightened their grip on him, and one of them produced a pair of zip ties, binding the man's hands behind his back."We'll get the answers out of him later," one of Dominic's men said, his tone grim. "For now, we need to get you both out of here."Dominic nodded, his focus shifting to Adrian, who was still crouched behind the couch, his face pale but determined. Dominic crossed the room in a few quick strides, kneeling beside him. "Are you okay?"Adrian looked up at him, his eyes wide but clear. "I'm fine. Just... shaken."Dominic's heart ached with a mixture of relief and guilt. He hadn't wanted Adrian to be dragged into this world, but now there was no turning back. "We need to get out of here. My men will take care of the rest."Adrian nodded, and Dominic helped him to his feet. Together, they made their way out of the apartment, flanked by Dominic's security team. As they stepped into the cool night air, Dominic's grip on Adrian's hand tightened. This wasn't just about safety anymore—it was about keeping the man he cared about close, where he could protect him.The drive to Dominic's mansion was tense, the events of the night still fresh in their minds. But as they pulled up to the gates, Adrian glanced at Dominic, a small, weary smile on his lips. "I guess it's a good thing you convinced me to move in with you."Dominic couldn't help but smile back, despite the gravity of the situation. "I'll keep you safe, Adrian. I promise."As they stepped inside the mansion, the tension began to ease, though the reality of the danger they faced was still very present. Dominic's men were already debriefing in another room, and the captured assassin was being prepped for questioning. But for now, Dominic focused on Adrian, on the man who had just been thrust into the darkest corners of his world.They would face this together, whatever came next. And as Dominic closed the door to their temporary sanctuary, he knew one thing for certain—he would do whatever it took to keep Adrian safe. No matter the cost.