Fashioned For Sin

Chapter 32

The sun streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room, but I felt its heat in a different way-Leonardo's warmth, his arm draped protectively over me, and his breath steady against my neck. The weight of yesterday lingered in the air, tangled up with our shared secrets and a bond that felt unbreakable. In this quiet morning, I felt the safety of his presence, as if nothing in the world could reach me here.

But reality had a way of creeping back in, and today was the day we'd meet with The Dominion. My chest tightened slightly at the thought of walking into an unknown world, a world that Daniel seemed almost afraid to speak of in detail. Part of me wondered if Leonardo was nervous too, though he'd never show it.

"Good morning, baby," his voice, still thick with sleep, broke the silence. He pulled me closer, his fingers trailing gently down my arm.

"Morning," I replied, managing a smile. "You ready to jump into the lion's den?"

He let out a soft laugh, his hand running through my hair. "I'm always ready. The question is, are they ready for you?"

I rolled my eyes. "Oh, please. I'm sure The Dominion is nothing I haven't seen before, but that is for later, please let me think about anything but that right now, I just woke up."

"okay babydoll, but keep that confidence." He raised a brow, smirking, kissing my forehead.

After a quick breakfast, we headed downstairs to meet up with Daniel and Karissa. The ride to the Dominion headquarters was tense, with everyone lost in their own thoughts. Karissa sat beside me, eyes focused out the window, her usual calm tinged with an unmistakable intensity.

"You okay?" I asked quietly, nudging her arm.

She glanced at me, offering a small smile. "Just... mentally preparing. I don't know what to expect from this Dominion guy."

"Well, at least we're here together," I said with a wink, trying to lighten the mood.

Daniel, sitting across from us, looked as if he were carrying the weight of the world. He hadn't spoken much since we left, his face locked in an expression somewhere between concern and deep thought. I didn't want to push him, but the silence was starting to feel suffocating.

"Daniel," I ventured, "what are we walking into exactly? You've been pretty vague."

He looked up, his eyes dark. "You're walking into a place that's not going to trust you, not at first. They don't trust outsiders, and they don't trust easily. Benedict's the kind of man who looks through you, not at you. Be ready for that."

His words gave me a chill. I exchanged a glance with Leonardo, who gave a subtle nod. His grip on my hand tightened, grounding me.

Finally, we arrived. From the outside, the Dominion headquarters looked almost plain-a glass building, tucked between city high-rises. But as we walked through the doors, the atmosphere shifted. It was as if we'd stepped into a fortress-cold, efficient, and unyielding.

The walls were lined with operatives, most of them massive men who watched us with barely concealed suspicion. Every corner seemed monitored, every exit guarded.

I noticed there were a few women among the operatives, though they seemed far outnumbered. One or two passed us, glancing our way with unreadable expressions, but none stopped to greet us.

"Intense, huh?" I muttered to Karissa, who gave a low whistle in response.

"Understatement of the year," she replied, her eyes taking in every detail as we moved deeper inside.

An assistant met us in the main lobby, her expression neutral. "Mr. Laurier will see you now," she said, leading us down a series of corridors to a set of double doors. Inside, Benedict Laurier sat behind a polished desk, his presence commanding despite the simplicity of his office. He looked older than I'd expected-mid-forties, maybe, with a hardened face and a gaze that seemed to dissect everything it landed on.

As we entered, his eyes swept over each of us, pausing briefly on Daniel, then Leonardo, and finally me. But it was when he looked at Karissa that something in his expression changed, his interest sparking just a little deeper, a little sharper.

"Daniel," he greeted, his voice smooth, though there was an edge to it. "You brang some interesting company along.These are the friends you mentioned?"

Daniel nodded, standing a little straighter. "Yes, sir. And they're just as committed to the cause as I am."

Benedict's gaze moved to Leonardo, sizing him up, then to me. "Commitment is commendable," he said slowly, "but The Dominion is no playground. We demand loyalty, discipline, and complete secrecy. Are you prepared for that?"

I didn't flinch. "With all due respect, Mr. Laurier, we're not here because it's easy. We're here because I've seen things most people can't imagine. We're not going to back down."

There was a glint of something in his eyes, maybe amusement or maybe approval. "Is that so?" His voice softened slightly as he looked back at Karissa. "And you... you seem like someone who knows more than you let on."

Karissa gave a small, confident smile, not breaking eye contact. "I know enough to hold my own, Mr. Laurier."

Something shifted in his gaze, a subtle intrigue that didn't seem to reach the rest of us. "Interesting."

Leonardo cleared his throat, stepping forward slightly. "So, what's the deal here? Daniel's been pretty tight-lipped, but it sounds like you need us as much as we need you."

Benedict's smile was thin, almost calculating. "What you'll find here is purpose, structure, a chance to strike back at those who prey on others. But make no mistake, we are selective. We don't waste time on anyone not fully committed to the mission." He straightened, folding his hands on the desk. "If you want to be here, you'll need to train. Every day, without fail."

"Training?" Karissa echoed, her brows raised.

Benedict nodded, his gaze sharp. "You'll receive physical, mental, and strategic training. It's not optional, and it's not easy. But we operate at a level most can't reach, and I expect nothing less."

"Are we talking military-level training?" Leonardo asked, his tone measured but curious.

Benedict's smile deepened. "Think of it as survival training. You'll learn to defend yourselves, navigate high-risk situations, and gather intel. But if you're not up for it, I suggest you reconsider now. Once you commit, we own your loyalty." His eyes flicked to me, then to Daniel. "This isn't a part-time commitment."

I squared my shoulders, meeting his gaze head-on. "We're not here to back down. Give us the schedule, and we'll show up."

"You'll receive your schedules by tomorrow," he replied, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Free time will be limited, but there will be opportunities for rest. The Dominion isn't without mercy."

Karissa leaned forward, her expression curious. "And what happens if one of us... doesn't make the cut?"

His gaze softened, though his tone remained firm. "We do not leave anyone behind. But betrayal, lack of loyalty? We are far less forgiving of those."

The room fell silent, each of us absorbing the weight of his words. For a moment, Benedict's attention lingered on Karissa, his expression unreadable. She returned his gaze, her chin lifted, and I could tell she wasn't about to let herself be intimidated.

Benedict reached for a set of papers, passing them across the desk. "These are contracts, binding you to The Dominion, you'll have all the information you need in it. This is an oath of loyalty. Once signed, there's no turning back. If you have any doubts, speak now."

Leonardo looked at me, his expression solemn. I could see the question in his eyes, though he didn't have to ask it out loud. We were in this together, come hell or high water. I nodded, and he reached for a pen, signing his name with swift determination. I followed suit, my hand steady as I wrote, feeling the weight of the commitment solidify with each stroke of the pen.

Karissa and Daniel exchanged a look, then added their names to the contracts. When it was done, Benedict gathered the papers, a satisfied gleam in his eyes.

"Welcome to The Dominion," he said, his voice carrying a finality that settled heavily in the room. "Training starts at dawn. Be prepared."