Dominic POV

I stirred in bed like someone had poured concrete into my limbs; they were too heavy, which was unusual for me. The sun’s rays shone into my eyes as I opened them, ringing off bells in my head. It was already midday, which meant I slept in far too late.

Wasting no more time, I propped myself up on the bed, ignoring my muscles groaning in protest. I instinctively reached for the small drawer by my side, opening it to see my gun still secured. I reached for my pocket to feel my phone still placed in the exact spot I slipped it in last night.

“What the f*** happened then?” I muttered, my brows pulled as I scanned the room.

My instincts were razor-wired; I don't sleep through the night unless I choose to. I usually detect the shift of air, the slightest weight change, a pin drop. How, then, did I not hear her slip out? That lapse was unacceptable.

Everything looked untouched, and my watch and ring were still on the nightstand. There was also no sign of a hurried search. The only thing that remained was the lingering scent of that woman, and it was sweet and maddeningly addictive.

My jaw tightened as I returned to the bed, gripping the sheets. I was so unguarded that I failed to hear her slip out of my bed and out of my room. Where did she go, and who the hell was she exactly?

What surprised me the most was… Why wasn’t I furious?

My hand stretched further, and I felt something soft brush my fingertips. I glanced in that direction, pulling out a scrap of black lace… Her underwear, which was on my side of the bed.

I froze, last night's events flooding back with a stunning clarity:Her trembling when I peeled it off… the way she arched into my mouth like she was drowning and I was the only air in the room. A deep, guttural sound of satisfaction rumbled in my chest.

She was definitely not a thief or a spy, then. Just embarrassed, which is normal.

A chuckle rippled from my throat at the thought of her scurrying out like a mouse, but a sharp knock sounded, breaking my thoughts.

“Enter,” I commanded, slipping my shirt on as three of my men entered with a deep bow.

Rafe, my right-hand man, stood in the center. He was broad-shouldered, wearing a look that flickered between concern and confusion as he met the calm expression on my face.

“Boss… it’s noon, and you didn’t respond to your check-in. We thought…” he began, and I raised my hand, silencing him.

I didn’t need to hear the rest; they feared I had been poisoned, or worse.

“I’m fine,” I said, pulling on my shirt. “Though I wonder what use you are if it takes you until midday to check on me.”

A chorus of apologies filled the air. They kept their eyes low as I dressed, but I didn’t miss the way they scanned the room, piecing together what happened.

Once I was properly dressed up, I turned to face them. “What about the club?”

“Everything is normal, boss,” Rafe said quickly, handing me a tablet with camera footage. “The lady walked out alone at 10:02 a.m.”

My eyes flickered as I watched her rush out the door. It was exactly as I thought; she was embarrassed.

“Poor thing,” I mused, satisfaction filling me on seeing how she limped.

“Amber,” I murmured, now remembering her name. It was fitting for her.

I thought it was business as usual: have a few drinks downstairs, then pick another entertainment for the night. But Amber proved otherwise; her presence alone had drugged me… her body had unlocked something in me I kept buried.

And after all that, all she left behind was that tiny piece of lace on my bed. I tossed the tablet, picking it up, and rolling it between my fingers… a low chuckle emanating from my chest.

“You can’t disappear on me, little ember.”

My voice dropped to a quiet, lethal rumble. “Find her.”

Rafe stiffened, but I paid no heed, moving past him to pick my things up from the nightstand.

“I want her full name, address, job, and any other thing there is to know about her by the end of today.” I ordered, buckling the Rolex back on my wrist.

Another who had been silent cleared his throat. “Sir Dominic, shouldn’t we be worried she’s connected to the Romano clan? They’ve been hovering…”

“If she were a Romano,” I cut in with a cold laugh, “I wouldn’t be standing here.”

“I want her found by the end of today,” I repeated quieter this time, leaving no room for question.

“Yes, boss,” they chorused, and with a flick of my hand, they turned to leave, shutting the door behind them.

I picked up the lace one more time, crushing it in my fist, feeling the echo of her heat. I then raised it to my nose, inhaling sharply, an ache surfacing below. I wanted her again.

My phone buzzed on the nightstand, the vibration sharp against the wood. I glanced at the screen, expecting Rafe, but it was a message from a London-based number.

Dante.

I didn't open it, because my cousin was likely sending another one of his scheduled status reports, or a complaint about a missed conference call with the London auditors. Though he was useful, in his own quiet, bureaucratic way, he was a world away from the fire currently burning in my veins.

My hand reached for the lace and I slipped it into my coat pocket, allowing myself a slow smirk.

“Run as far as you can, sweetheart,” I murmured. “But I will find you. And when I do… you won’t slip away so easily again.”

This room, this bar, this city… all of it belonged to me. And Amber Ross? She just made the mistake of thinking she could leave.

Amber POV

By the time I reached the building of Lumena Entertainment, the afternoon heat had already started burning through my clothes. “Perfect,” I muttered. As if being late wasn’t bad enough, my entire body now smelled like sweat and regret.

I sent a text to Sonia before rushing into the guard room stationed at the entrance. The guards at the front raised eyebrows at my appearance, but I paid no heed, asking to see their head. They granted me access, and I made a beeline for the small office, knocking before slipping inside to see a middle-aged man seated with a document in his hands.

“Good day, Mr. Thomas,” I greeted.

He looked up, eyes lighting up and widening in surprise. “Oh dear! Is everything okay?”

I slipped inside and pressed my palms together. “I’m fine, sir. I just need to change here, please.”

The older guard pointed to a small room. “Go ahead, dear. That’s the room.”

“Bless you,” I whispered, slipping into the tiny room and closing the door.

I exhaled sharply, turning to the grimy mirror and doing a double take at the scandalous sight. The ruined dress felt like a uniform of humiliation. After a few minutes, the door swung open, and in came Sonia with a bag. She stepped inside with dramatic grace, pausing as her eyes skimmed over me with a bewildered expression.

“Oh my God,” she said, eyes wide as she closed the door. “It seems you had quite the night, Amber. You look like you fought a lion for territory.”

“Please,” I muttered, collecting the bag from her and pulling out the clothes. “Not now. I’m begging you.”

She ignored that completely, an amused smirk on her lips. “No, no, you’re going to give me the tea. You owe me after bailing you out. You literally have no underwear! I need to know what happened.”

“Fine,” I sighed, buttoning the blouse up. “I will tell you later, but for now, how’s Mr. Gems?”

“Not in a good mood, obviously. The CEO called for an emergency meeting, so he waited for you for a while. He ultimately had to attend alone,” she explained, and my heart sank.

“Wasn’t the CEO away for business? Why is he suddenly back?” I asked.

“How would I know?” she shrugged, leaning closer to whisper. “We were also shocked to see him. Apparently, he flew in for this meeting; all senior level managers are involved. I heard it’s something about the new artists being signed.”

A nervous pinch tugged at my stomach as I slipped the skirt on. “So is the meeting… over?”

“Not yet, but the atmosphere won’t be good when it is,” Sonia shook her head. “The only way you may survive being this late is begging; otherwise… I’m not sure.”

Fantastic.

We left the security room together. I thanked the kind guard again before I made a quick escape to my desk on the manager’s floor. Luckily, when Mr. Gems returned, he was still with other senior staff, and they entered another closed-door meeting, so I was majorly ignored whilst they discussed loudly in his office.

Once I settled outstanding tasks and pending requests, I was finally free to leave for a short break. Making my way to the cafeteria to grab leftover food, I texted the girls in our group chat:

Hi everyone, are you okay? Sorry for disappearing like that.

The replies came instantly.

Lilah: Yes, we’re all good. But we are dying of curiosity, spill!!

Ginny: You left us high and dry!! We need details about mystery man!!

Jane: Name, address, job, SSN… EVERYTHING!! 😝

I rolled my eyes in exhaustion, typing quickly:

I’m sorry to disappoint you all, but I don’t have his name. It was… a moment. Nothing more.

Ginny: Hmm.. No one looks that into someone they want “nothing more” with like you did, Amby 😏

Lilah: Even I, who was completely wasted, could see how smitten you were by him.

Jane: Maybe he’s your long lost soulmate.

“Soul mate? Absolutely not,” I muttered, biting hard on the bread in my hand while replying:

Last night was a mistake, and you caused it. So I’ve decided we focus on other exciting things I can do to get back at Liam that aren’t sex or men. Please remove any filthy items you wrote down on that list NOW. Thank you.

They sent emojis that screamed “sure, Jan.”

I put my phone away and returned to work, channeling my focus on scheduling the upcoming talent meetings, including reviewing the new artists onboarding program Mr. Gems would need after the emergency meeting. The names placed on my desk to draft the document were blanked out pending approval. Yet something in the manager’s tone about the fourth artist through the office door made me uneasy. A new star coming in… someone the company was already nervous about.

But that was a future problem.

Right now, I just needed water, ibuprofen, and maybe a nap to restore my nervous system. Still, every time I allowed myself a second of silence, memories of last night crept back in. I could feel his hands on my skin, and hear his unnervingly quiet breathing—the way he slept beside me like he trusted me with something he didn’t name.

“You will never see him again,” I said silently, sitting on the bus back to my apartment later that day. “So get him out of your mind and move on. That’s the plan.”

******

Dominic POV

“Boss, here is the information you requested regarding Amber Ross.”

Rafe’s voice cut through the quiet in the office as he placed the binder neatly in front of me. I picked it up, feeling the weight of it in my hands before opening it, reading through carefully.

“She is 29 years old and was raised in Y City orphanage,” Rafe continued evenly. “Left at eighteen and moved here shortly after. She has no criminal record, debts, or sketchy involvements.”

“She currently works as a secretary to a senior talent manager at Lumena Entertainment and has been there three years. Nothing remarkable there either,” he finished his brief, and I paused, tapping the edge of the page against my desk.

“She lives alone?” I asked.

“Yes. A rented one-bedroom apartment in a quiet neighborhood.”

I nodded, flipping to the next page to see a timeline of her daily routine, mapped out with precision.

Workdays: early commute. Same coffee shop three mornings a week. Goes to her boyfriend's apartment twice a week, sleeps over if her schedule allows. Walk when the weather allows. Grocery shopping on Sundays. Occasional nights out with friends, rarely impulsive.

That is, except for yesterday, where things took an unexpected turn and she ended up in a club on a weekday. I leaned back in my chair slowly, eyes lifting to the ceiling for a brief moment.

“And what about her relationship status?” I continued.

“She is freshly separated from her fiancé, Liam, after a four-year relationship,” he explained. “Apparently, they had begun plans for a wedding.”

“Is that so?” I mused, eyes fixed on the photograph clipped to the page which was taken from her friend’s SNS account.

Amber smiled into the sun, hair tied up carelessly, as she lay on a beach mat in a sundress. She appeared so unseeming, it made my desire to claim her grow stronger.

“Good job, Rafe,” I said finally, setting the papers down neatly, aligning the edges like this was just another business file. “Have Stone and Ken keep an eye on her. I’ll need daily updates from now on.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Then schedule a meeting with executive management tomorrow,” I said decisively.

Rafe straightened. “In what context, boss?”

“Inform them to prepare updates on our entertainment fronts, current partnerships, and potential expansions.”

He nodded, noting down on the tablet.

“After that,” I continued, a slow smirk spreading. “We approach Lumena Entertainment formally with an interest in collaboration. I need a reason to be where she is. You can leave.”

He exited my office, shutting the door with a soft click, and I flipped the file open to her picture again.

“There’s no use running away, my little Ember,” I thought, tracing her features lightly. “Because I don’t lose things that choose me first.”

Amber POV: Two weeks later

I woke up earlier than usual, switching off the alarm before the first beep could slice through the silence. Today was going to be a long day, and I needed my routine to keep the lingering shadows of my mind at bay. After changing into joggers and a worn-out tee, I stepped out into the crisp morning air to jog through my neighborhood.

In the fourteen days since that night, I had been aggressively practical. I’d told my friends no more drinking on weekdays and ruthlessly edited the reckless "List" of its filthiest items, replacing them with quieter goals. I was turning thirty soon; I needed a trip to an island, not another descent into chaos.

As I made my way back to my apartment, a prickle of unease crawled up my spine and it felt like I was being watched. I slowed my pace, glancing over my shoulder to scan the environment. There was nothing significant except for a small black car parked across the street, with windows so dark they looked like ink sat idling. Though it felt out of place in this sleepy neighborhood, there was no noticeable movement so it probably belonged to an overnight guest.

Shaking off the chill, I hurried upstairs to continue my preparations.

By 7:30 a.m., I was already at Lumena Entertainment, placing a fresh coffee on Mr. Gems’s desk. I retreated to my own station to prep for the day’s main event: a high-stakes business proposal from Artisan Scents. The company was home to high end luxury fragrances that cost more than my monthly rent.

They were on the look out for a suitable entertainment company to collaborate with, which would be a massive win if Lumena secured. The executives had been on edge for two weeks since the offer arrived, which meant the support staff, including me, had been the target of their mounting frustration.

Luckily, Mr. Gems remained relatively calm, until the clock hit nine.

“Amber,” he said briskly, shedding his winter coat as he moved like a whirlwind. “Have you reviewed the brief for the meeting?”

“Yes, sir. I’ve sent a summary to your email,” I replied, moving to hand him his tablet.

“Good, because you’re sitting in with me.”

I froze in my tracks. “Huh?”

He smiled at my stunned expression. "The CEO requested a minute-taker with high efficiency so I put your name forward. Don’t look so panicked; it’s a great opportunity."

I nodded, beaming at the compliment despite the sudden weight of extra work. He checked his watch and hurried me toward the executive floor. Just as we reached the heavy oak doors of the conference room, he cursed under his breath.

“I forgot the legal addendum for the Romano contract. Legal needs it by ten, or we lose the filing window.” He looked at me pleadingly. “Amber, please. Run back, grab it from my top drawer, and drop it at legal. Then come straight to the meeting.”

I didn’t hesitate, sprinting back to his office immediately, sorted through his files, and delivered the document to the Legal department with minutes to spare. By the time I made it back to the executive floor, I was twenty minutes late. My heart hammered against my ribs as I approached the conference room.

Guarding the door was a man who looked less like a corporate security guard and more like a human tank. His black suit was tailored to hide a massive frame, and his eyes were cold as ice.

“Good day. I’m supposed to be in the meeting,” I said, trying to steady my breathing.

He didn’t check a clip-board or call inside. He simply looked me over with an unsettling intensity. “Are you Miss Amber Ross?”

“Yes,” I answered, taken aback.

He stepped aside, pulling the door open for me before I could raise a question. I slipped into the darkened room, my tablet hugged to my chest like a shield. The lights were dimmed for a presentation, casting long, sharp shadows across the faces of the city’s most powerful executives. I scurried to the empty chair beside Mr. Gems, keeping my head low as I began typing notes.

The presentation ended, and the lights flickered to life. I blinked, adjusting to the brightness, and that’s when I smelled the scent of leather and clean smoke.

My blood turned to ice, and I looked toward the head of the table. Seated beside our CEO, Mr. Kennedy was the man from the bar… my one night stand.

He sat with his jacket draped over the back of his chair, sleeves rolled back to reveal powerful forearms. His gaze wasn't on the documents or Mr. Kennedy who was seated next to him; it was locked on me with a terrifying focus.

“I hope you find our company suitable after this presentation, Mr. Toretto,” Mr. Kennedy said, his voice dripping with eagerness.

I looked down at my tablet, my fingers trembling as I finally looked at the name I had ignored all morning. Bold, black letters stared back at me: Dominic Toretto.

The man from the bar wasn't just a stranger. He was the CEO of Artisan Scents, and he was currently watching me like I was the only person in the room.

“Ah, Miss Ross,” Mr. Kennedy cleared his throat, noticing the heavy silence. “You’ve finally joined us.”

“Yes, sir. I apologize for the delay,” I forced out, my voice sounding thin to my own ears.

Dominic didn’t look away. “No issue.”

His voice was a deep, lethal vibrato that resonated in the pit of my stomach. “Artisan Scents finds Lumena Entertainment quite suitable. However, we are selective about the face of our brand.”

He leaned back, his hands folding over his chest. He looked polished, but there was an underlying current to his stillness that made my skin hum.

“This partnership will require total coordination,” a representative from his side continued. “We will be moving into the onboarding phase immediately. We require discretion and staff who can handle high pressure environment and confidentiality.”

“Of course, Mr. Toretto,” Mr. Kennedy assured him. “We will provide our most efficient team.”

Dominic’s eyes flicked to mine, a slow smirk ghosting his lips. “Good.”

The rest of the meeting was a blur of signatures and handshakes. I buried myself in my work, my fingers flying across the screen, desperate to remain invisible. When the chairs finally shifted, signaling the end, I moved to bolt. I gathered my things, weaving through the chattering executives toward the exit.

I was three inches from the door when his voice stopped me dead.

“Mr. Gems,” Dominic’s voice rumbled through the room, cutting through the noise like a blade. “Please have your secretary send the minutes of this meeting to my private server.”

I didn't turn around, shutting my eyes as the inevitable finally caught up to me.

Oh shit.