Chapter 1 Dominic's Pov

Rome: Italy I walked into the room filled with the sharp scent of cigars and whiskey. My bodyguards followed behind me. The door opened, leading me into the boardroom, and I walked to the large mahogany table, sitting at the head chair. My gray eyes scanned the faces staring back at me. This was supposed to be a routine meeting to finalize a deal with Carlos Marchetti and the other Mafia bosses. “Welcome, Dominic,” Carlos said, puffing his cigar. “Took you long enough.” “Tell me Carlos,” I answered. “Everyone signed the papers except you. Why?” “I figured there was no need if you weren't present,” Carlos replied. “I am here now. Sign the papers or walk out of here empty-handed,” I replied coldly. Carlos sneered and reached for a pen one of his men handed to him. “You drive a hard bargain, Rossi.” My smile grew darker, not reaching my eyes as my gaze lingered. “That's why I'm still alive.” I watched Carlos scrawl his signature on the paper and he smiled. He had just signed the control of a lucrative arms route into my hands. From the corner of my eyes, I noticed one of my men, Antonio, shifted uncomfortably at the edge of the room. I turned my gaze swiftly, catching his movement. “Antonio,” I called. “Are you okay?” Antonio froze, his hand halfway to his pocket as he blinked continuously. “Y…yes, boss. I'm just itchy. That's all.” “Hmm,” I mumbled. My jaw tightened. “Is that so?” I asked calmly. I could see Carlos and the other men suddenly become uncomfortable and that made me even more suspicious. “Y…yes, sir,” Antonio responded “Alright,” I said. “Step forward.” Antonio hesitated, but obeyed. When he came closer, stepping into the light, I noticed his hands twitch again and that was all the confirmation I needed. I smiled, pulling out my gun with lightning speed and fired at him. The shot rang out, sending Antonio falling to the floor lifeless as blood pooled from under him. Half of the other men seated gasped as I placed the gun on the table. “Check his pockets,” I ordered, signaling one of my men with my finger and Matteo stepped forward. He began checking Antonio's lifeless body, pulling out a small recorder from Antonio’s jacket and a loaded pistol from Antonio's waist. “He was wired, sir,” Matteo said, raising the device for everyone to see. I turned my gaze to Carlos with a stern cold look. “Isn't that odd that your deal comes with an added bonus, Carlos?” Carlos' face immediately turned pale. “I had a spy among my men. Do you mind explaining this?” I asked. “Don't pin this on me. I had no idea. You can't possibly blame me for…” Carlos answered. “Enough!” I yelled, slamming my hand on the table. “Save your lies.” “Do you think I'm stupid? A new man I hired turns out to be recording our meeting. If I remember correctly, you have been meeting with him in secret,” I spoke. Carlos' eyes showed weakness for a second then returned to being cold. “It was a simple greeting. I have no business with your men,” Carlos answered. “So it would seem,” I responded and one of my men brought a file. I took it and threw it towards Carlos on the table. “I knew Antonio worked for you. Do you really think I won't catch up to this?” I asked. Carlos looked at the picture and dropped them back on the table. “This doesn't mean anything. A couple of pictures doesn't prove anything.” I stood with my cold gaze bearing into Carlos as I walked slowly daring him to make one wrong move. “I don't believe in coincidences, Carlos,” I said, stepping around the table. “Bold of you to think you can walk in here, make a deal and double cross me in my territory,” I said pointing a gun at the back of Carlos head and his men immediately pulled out a gun, aiming at me with my men reciprocating. He laughed loudly, and raised his hand in mock surrender. “Don't be a fool, Rossi. Killing me will only start a war.” “Good,” I muttered. “Then let it start.” My fingers tightened on the trigger and was ready to shoot when Matteo's phone buzzed. He glanced at the phone's screen and looked at me with urgency. “Boss, we've got company.” “Three black SUVs pulled up outside,” Matteo continued. “Expecting friends, Carlos?” I asked, still pressing the gun on Carlos' head. Carlos shook his hand. “I swear, I don't know who they are.” The fear was genuine in his voice. I gestured to Matteo with a nod. “Secure the exits. No one leaves until I say so.” Matteo nodded and walked out with some men. I still had the upper hand in the room as my men outnumbered the others by double. Within a few minutes, gunshots rang out from downstairs. The other men exchanged glances at the table. “Rossi,” one of the older men at the table spoke. “Your men are handling the issue downstairs. We should handle this here. Let Carlos go. There's been enough bloodshed today.” “Alberto, I believe you know the rules,” I said calmly. “Yes, and I also know if you wanted to kill Carlos. You would have done that the second you took your gun out,” Alberto answered. “Carlos is just as important as the rest of us and killing him would unleash chaos. You can deal with him later if he does have a hand in this,” Alberto continued. I withdrew my gun and dropped it on the table, taking my seat. Just then Matteo walked in with six others with blood splattered on them staining their white shirts and faces. “We got them boss,” Matteo said. Two other men walked in draghing one of the bodies, dropping it to the floor. “The meeting is dismissed,” I ordered and the other men left including Carlos. “The men had the signature pin of the De Luca,” Matteo said, taking the pain off the body and bringing it to me. I looked at the pin, realizing he was right. But the De Luca’s were supposed to be allies. Why would they turn against me? Or did someone pretend to be them to cause trouble? “Contact our informants. I want to know if the De Luca’s are playing games with me,” I ordered Matteo. “Yes, boss,” Matteo responded.