Chapter 4 - The Unholy Alliance
The silence in the master bedroom was broken only by the steady, rhythmic beep of the portable heart monitor Dr. Aris had attached to Mia.
Claire fell to her knees, her silk robe sprawling on the hardwood floor. "Dom, please. I was scared. They threatened me."
"Who threatened you?" Dominic asked, his voice dead.
"The Morettis," she sobbed, clutching at his trousers. "They know about the shipping manifests. They know about the shipments coming through the docks next month. Nathan... Nathan told them. He said if I didn't help him get the access codes from your office, they would kill my family. He said Mia saw him copying the keys. She saw him, Dom!"
On the chaise lounge, Mia weakly shook her head. "No," she whispered. "I didn't see him copy keys. I saw them... together."
Dominic’s jaw tightened. "Together?"
"In the library," Mia said, her voice stronger now that the warm fluids from the IV were entering her system. "Two weeks ago. I brought in the evening tea. They didn't hear me open the door. They were... they were kissing, Mr. Vale. And they were talking about how much the Morettis would pay for the northern territory."
Dominic looked down at the woman he was supposed to marry in six weeks.
Claire’s sobbing stopped. The pathetic, terrified act vanished, replaced by a cold, hard stare. She realized the lie was dead.
"You were always too arrogant, Dominic," she said, standing up and dusting off her knees. "You thought you were untouchable. You thought a girl like me would just sit here and play the pretty house-wife while you ran your dirty money. Nathan offered me a real partnership. Half of everything we take from you."
"Where is Nathan?" Dominic asked, turning to Marcus.
May you like
"He’s in the study downstairs, boss," Marcus said, his hand already resting on his holster. "We have him covered."
"Bring him up," Dominic said. "And bring a bucket of ice water."
