HIS EMPIRE, HER RULES.

CHAPTER 5: THE FIRST STRIKE

The sleek, moonlit skyline of New York City was interrupted by the soft hum of Dominic's penthouse. Valeria stood by the massive glass window, gazing out at the sprawling empire she had unwittingly stepped into. The weight of recent events—threats, shattered windows, and constant surveillance—pressed on her.

She wasn't one to back down, though, and her thoughts were cut off when she heard Dominic's voice behind her.

"I've made the call," he said in a clipped and uncompromising tone. "It's time to send a message."

Valeria turned to face him, her arms crossed. "A message?"

He said, stepping closer, his presence commanding. "Rafael Torres believes intimidation will force me to retreat. It's time to show him that Knight Enterprises—and everything I've built—is untouchable."

Her stomach knotted at the cold finality in his voice; this wasn't just corporate posturing; this was something much darker.

"This isn't just a business dispute, is it?" she asked, her voice low.

Dominic's piercing blue eyes met hers. "No. This is war."

***

Valeria found herself at her own office early the following morning, determined to keep things somewhat regular, even if Dominic insisted that she remain at the penthouse. Digging through every information that could reveal Rafael Torres' involvement in the bogus lawsuit, she lost herself in the case files.

A knock on her office door interrupted her hours later. It wasn't her helper.

“Ms. Russo,” said a deep voice.

When Valeria looked up, she saw a man in a dark suit with an unreadable expression. The way he carried himself, measured, like a predator evaluating prey, had an unnerving quality.

Her tone was stern as she inquired, "Who are you?"

With ease, he entered the room without being invited and said, "I work for Mr. Torres. My purpose is to deliver a message."

He set a manila envelope on her desk before she could reply. He stared at her for a moment, calculating and cold, then turned and walked away without saying anything more. She opened the letter with trembling hands. Photographs were found inside, including surveillance photos of her, Dominic, and even her younger sister. They were followed by a note that read, "Step away, or you'll lose everything," in the same script as before.

***

Valeria's face reddened with rage as she barged into Dominic's penthouse that evening.

She threw the envelope on the coffee table and said, "Dominic, this isn't just your war."

With a clenched jaw, Dominic picked up the pictures and looked at each one. There was a glint of danger in his eyes. “They’re escalating.”

Her voice was shaking as she said, "They're targeting my family. I didn't sign up for this!"

Dominic stepped toward her, his expression softening for the first time. "Valeria, I vowed to keep you safe. Your family is included in that."

The part of her that wanted to trust him was at odds with her anger as she shook her head. “How can you be so calm? These folks are dangerous, Dominic. What if they—

“They won’t,” he interrupted, his voice steely.“Because I won’t let them.”

His words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken emotion. For a moment, the tension between them shifted, turning into something far more intimate.

“You don’t get to control everything,” she whispered.

Dominic stepped closer, his hand brushing against hers. “But I’ll control what I can. And right now, that’s keeping you safe.”

***

Late that night, Dominic made his first move. He gathered his most trusted men, issuing orders with precision and authority. While Valeria remained in the safety of the penthouse, Dominic ventured into the city’s underworld, meeting with informants and allies who owed him favors.

Meanwhile, Valeria paced the penthouse, her frustration mounting. She wasn’t used to being sidelined, and the idea of Dominic making decisions without consulting her grated on her nerves.

When Dominic returned hours later, his suit rumpled but his resolve unshaken, she was waiting for him.

“Well?” she demanded.

He poured himself a drink, his movements measured. “Rafael’s operations are spread thin. We’ve disrupted one of his supply chains. He’ll feel the loss by morning.”

“And what happens when he retaliates?” she asked.

Dominic’s gaze darkened. “He won’t get the chance.”

Valeria’s temper flared. “You’re so confident, but this isn’t just about you anymore! My life is on the line too, Dominic.”

His eyes softened, and he crossed the room in two strides, stopping just inches away from her. “I know,” he said quietly. “And that’s why I’m doing this. For you"

As the night stretched on, the adrenaline from their argument faded, leaving an unspoken tension between them. Valeria sat by the window, nursing a glass of wine, while Dominic watched her from across the room.

“You’re not what I expected,” he said finally.

She looked at him, her brow furrowed. “What does that mean?”

“You’re stronger than most people I know,” he said, his voice low. “But you’re also… good. And I can’t remember the last time I had someone like that in my life.”

Her heart skipped a beat, but she forced herself to remain composed. “Dominic Knight, are you trying to be sentimental?”

A faint smile tugged at his lips. “Don’t get used to it.”

For the first time since the threats began, Valeria felt a flicker of something other than fear. It wasn’t safety—Dominic’s world was anything but safe—but it was the beginning of trust.

***

The next morning, news broke of a major bust on one of Rafael Torres’ operations. Dominic’s calculated move had paid off, sending a clear message to his rival.

But Valeria knew this was only the beginning. As she prepared for another day at court, she found herself wondering how far she was willing to go—not just for the case, but for Dominic himself.

In the world they were navigating, trust wasn’t just a luxury; it was a necessity. And as much as she hated to admit it, Dominic Knight was becoming someone she couldn’t afford to lose.

***

Valeria couldn’t shake the ominous feeling that had settled in her chest. As Dominic busied himself with strategic meetings, she began her own investigation. If she was going to survive this—and win the lawsuit—she needed to understand the full extent of Rafael Torres’ power.

She called a contact of her own, an old law school friend who now worked in corporate espionage. The call was brief but productive. Within hours, Valeria had an encrypted file on her laptop detailing Torres’ financial connections, shell companies, and a trail of questionable dealings that made her blood run cold.

The depth of his influence was staggering. Rafael didn’t just dabble in crime—he controlled it, leveraging his empire to manipulate business rivals and the legal system alike.

Her focus was broken by Dominic stepping into the room. “You’ve been quiet,” he said, his sharp gaze landing on her laptop.

“I’ve been digging,” she replied, tilting the screen to show him the file. “This isn’t just a lawsuit or a rivalry. Torres has built a network so intricate it’s practically untouchable.”

Dominic studied the screen, his expression unreadable. “No one’s untouchable,” he said finally, his voice colder than she’d ever heard.

Valeria hesitated before speaking. “Dominic… how far are you willing to go to stop him?”

His piercing blue eyes met hers. “As far as I have to.”

***

Later that evening, Dominic insisted on taking Valeria out, much to her surprise.

“You’re wound too tight,” he said as they stepped into his sleek black car. “You need a break, even if it’s just for a few hours.”

Valeria couldn’t argue with that. Between the threats and the pressure of the case, she felt like a rubber band stretched to its limit.

The car pulled up to an exclusive restaurant, the kind where privacy was guaranteed, and everyone in the room looked like they belonged on a magazine cover. As they were seated, Valeria found herself relaxing slightly, though the man across from her still made her heart race in more ways than one.

“I didn’t peg you for the type to indulge in public displays,” she teased, sipping her wine.

Dominic smirked. “I indulge in whatever I want, Ms. Russo. But tonight isn’t about me—it’s about you.”

She raised an eyebrow. “And what exactly do you want from me, Mr. Knight?”

His gaze darkened, the playful smirk replaced by something more serious. “I want you to trust me.”

Valeria hesitated. Trust wasn’t something she gave freely, especially not in a situation as volatile as this. But as he reached across the table, his fingers brushing hers, she felt the walls she had so carefully built start to c***k.

***

Their dinner was interrupted by a phone call. Dominic’s expression turned grim as he answered, his voice low and controlled. When he hung up, he looked at Valeria.

“We need to go,” he said.

“What happened?”

“One of Torres’ men made a move on one of my warehouses. I need to handle it.”

The ride back was tense, the air between them charged with unspoken words. When they arrived at the penthouse, Dominic turned to her.

“Stay here,” he said.

“No,” she replied firmly. “I’m not some damsel you can lock away. I need to see what I’m dealing with.”

Dominic’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t argue. “Fine. But stay close.”

They arrived at the warehouse to find chaos. Men in suits and leather jackets moved with precision, securing the perimeter. Inside, the damage was evident—ransacked goods, shattered crates, and graffiti scrawled on the walls with Torres’ insignia.

Dominic’s fury was palpable. He barked orders, his calm veneer replaced by raw power. Valeria watched, realizing for the first time just how dangerous he truly was.

As he turned to her, his expression softened slightly. “Now you see what we’re up against.”

She nodded, her resolve hardening. “And I’m not going anywhere.”

***

Back at the penthouse, the adrenaline of the night gave way to exhaustion. Valeria sank onto the plush couch, her mind racing.

Dominic poured them each a drink, handing her a glass before sitting beside her.

“You didn’t have to come tonight,” he said, his voice softer than she expected.

“I needed to,” she replied. “If I’m going to fight this battle, I need to know what it really looks like.”

He studied her, his gaze lingering on her face. “You’re not like anyone I’ve ever met, Valeria.”

“Is that a compliment or a warning?” she asked, her lips quirking into a faint smile.

“Both,” he said, his voice low.

Their eyes locked, the space between them shrinking. Before she could second-guess herself, he leaned in, his lips brushing against hers. The kiss was slow, deliberate, and searing.

When they finally pulled apart, Valeria’s heart was racing.

“This changes things,” she murmured.

“Everything,” Dominic agreed, his voice rough.

But as they sat there, the weight of their reality pressed down on them. Whatever was building between them was dangerous—because in Dominic’s world, love wasn’t just a risk. It was a weapon.

“You’re not like anyone I’ve ever met, Valeria.”

“Is that a compliment or a warning?” she asked, her lips quirking into a faint smile.

“Both,” he said, his voice low.

Their eyes locked, and the distance between them shrank.

Before she could question herself, he leaned in and brushed his lips against hers.

The kiss was slow, deliberate, and searing; when they finally pulled apart, Valeria’s heart was racing.

“This changes things,” she whispered.

“Everything,” Dominic agreed, his voice rough.

But as they sat there, the weight of their reality pressed down on them.

Whatever was developing between them was dangerous—because in Dominic’s world, love wasn’t just a risk, it was a weapon.