Fatally Yours

Chapter 40

•DOMINIK•

The iPad sat propped up on the counter between me and Katarina, its screen glowing with Lee's face as he delivered his update from LA. We were perched on barstools in the kitchen, leaning over the counter, both intently focused on his words. 

"Whoever attacked us on the road after the auction left no trace," Lee said, his tone grim. "No identifiers, no digital footprints—nothing. It's almost impossible to pinpoint who's targeting you right now. What I can say for sure is that it's not the cartel in DC. They're still unaware of your plans to overthrow them." 

I nodded slowly, processing his words, but something in Lee's expression shifted.

His gaze darted to the side, his lips tightening as though he were weighing whether to say more. 

"What is it?" I asked sharply. "What are you not telling me?" 

Lee hesitated, then exhaled heavily.

"The armory you were transferring from the warehouse in Santa Monica... It's been confiscated by the police. Our men are currently being held for questioning." 

"Fuck!" I cussed out loud.

I slid off the stool, pacing the kitchen. My hands clenched into fists at my sides as I struggled to control the rage bubbling inside me. 

"How the hell did this happen?" I snapped, turning back to the screen. 

"I don't know yet," Lee admitted. "The guys called me from the station. They assured me they're not saying a word and have already requested their lawyer. I'm handling it, Dom. Everything is under control." 

"Under control?" I barked, my voice echoing through the kitchen. "How did the cops even know we were making the move today? I never told anyone outside of the men assigned to retrieve it!" 

"I'm telling you, nobody else knew," He said firmly. "This wasn't a mistake—it was a setup. Someone must've leaked our plans." 

The realization made my blood boil. My pacing grew more frantic as Katarina watched me from her stool, her expression unreadable. 

"Put aside the DC plans for now," I said through gritted teeth. "Focus on finding the rat. Someone in this syndicate betrayed me, and I want to know who." 

Lee nodded solemnly. "Understood. I'll dig into it and call you with any updates." 

Katarina leaned forward, tapping the iPad screen to end the call before turning towards me.

"Do you really think there's a rat in the syndicate?" 

"Yes," I said without hesitation. "Everyone in this Syndicate swore loyalty to me. They all know what betrayal costs—if anyone turns against me, I'll not only end their life but destroy their family too. They understand the consequences." 

Katarina's lips curved into a small, knowing smile as she slid off her stool and stepped closer, her hand reaching up to rub my arm.

"You're so tense Don," she murmured, her touch lingering. "You need to relax. Take a moment for yourself." 

Her voice was soft, tempting, and for a brief second, I considered it. But before the moment could stretch any further, the sound of a car pulling up outside shattered the silence. 

The familiar hum of Nova's voice, joined by Daciana and Mihai's, drifted through the air. Katarina's hand dropped, and I stepped back, my focus shifting toward the door. 

"They're back," I muttered, the tension in my body barely easing as I braced myself for whatever the night would bring.

The night air was cool, and the distant hum of crickets filled the silence as Katarina and I stepped outside to meet them. The car's headlights had barely dimmed when I caught sight of Nova.