SEVENTY EIGHT

Dominique Santos had just arrived Marco’s mansion. Marco greeted him warmly leaning heavily on his walking stick, as he lead Domnique to his study. “Domnique,” Marco said, forcing a smile, “Thank you for coming.”

Dominique nodded, his expression guarded, “Marco, I hope this meeting is worth my time. I’m a busy man.”

Marco gestured for Domnique to sit, “Believe me, it is. I have a proposition that could benefit both of us.”

Dominique took a seat, crossing his legs casually, “I'm listening.”

Marco limped over to his chair, opposite Domnique , grima ing slightly as he sat down. “I know you’re still in NewYork , cause of the meeting you have with Lucas. And you know Lucas is….. very powerful. If we join forces we can eliminate him and take over his territories.”

Dominique raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips, “And should I trust you, Marco? Last I heard, Lucas had taken you down pretty hard. What makes you think you can take on him now.”


Marco's eyes hardened, “Because I know his weakness. I know how he thinks. We can use that against him. Together we can outsmart him.”

Dominique leaned back, taking a slow drag from his cigarettes, “Intetesting theory. You talk about knowing his weakness, but you’re the one who ended up in the hospital.”

Marco's grip tightened on his walking stick, “that was a temporary setback. I’ve recovered, and I'm ready to strike. But I can't do it alone. With your resources and my inside knowledge we can bring him down.”

Dominique’s eyes glinted with amusement, “You want me to risk everything on your word? Lucas is your blood. Your relative, if you can betray him. Who am I Marco?”

Marco leaned forward, his voice low and intense, “Lucas took everything away from him. Once Lucas is out of the way we can divide his empire between us . You’d have access to more territories and resources.

Domnique chuckled, shaking his head. “Ut sounds tempting Marco, but you’re forgetting one crucial thing. Trust. I don't trust you.”

Marco's eyes flashed with desperation, “I’m offering you a chance to e oand your empire, to be more powerful than ever. We can take him down Dominique, we just need to work together.”

Domnique stood, smoothing his suit jacket, “I appreciate the offer, but I think I'll pass , Lucas may be a problem, but , you are a…. wildcard . And I don't gamble with wildcards.”

Marco struggled to his feet, his anger barely contained, “You’re making a mistake , Dominique. Lucas is smart, this is your chance to strike his first.”

Dominique paused at the door, looking back at Marco with a cold smile, “I’ll do things my own way, Marco.”

As Dominique left, Marco's expression darkened. He slammed his fist onto the table, ignoring the pain that shot up his arm.

Dominique drove through the streets, his mind filled with thoughts. Marco's proposal was tempting, but Domnique knew better than to trust a desperate man. “That Marco,” Dominique muttered to himself, shaking his head.

Dominique had always valued control and precision . Marco's plan was unpredictable and he had to approach this carefully m, with a strategy that ensured his own safety and advantage.

He pulled into the driveway of his rented villa. Stepping out of the car, he took a deep breath, the air cook against his skin. He already had his own plan, one that didn't involve aligning himself with a loose cannon like Marco.

Lucas was a formidable opponent, but aligning with someone as deceitful as Marco, was a gamble he wasn't willing to take.

Domnique entered his villa, and his way to his study, pouring himself a glass of whiskey. Sitting down , he stared at the amber liquid, swirling it thoughtfully. “Marco's desperation is palpable,” he mused, taking a sip of the amber liquid. “He wants revenge, but he's blinded by it. Lucas….Lucas is a different beast. Calculated, always one step ahead.”


He leaned back in his chair, the leather cracking softly, “If Lucas refuses my proposal, then I'll to have play my cards differently.” He had already made his plans, if Lucas refused his business proposal. Dominique smirked to himself his mind already plotting his next move. “Lucas won't see this coming,” he whispered to himself , raising his glass on a mock toast.

The whiskey burned as it went down, but Domnique welcomed the sensation. It sharpened his focus, reminded him of the stakes. Lucas had to be taken down, but it would be on Domnique's terms not Marco's.


……..🌵

Immadietly Dominique left, Mia drove in. She was directed to Marco's study. When she got to the door of the study, she knocked lightly before pushing the door open to find Marco brooding.

“Marco,” Mia called, stepping inside, “what's wrong? You look upset.”

“It's nothing.” Marco muttered, but Mia wasn't convinced.

“I heard you were discharged from the hospital,” she continued, concern in her voice, “that's why I came to see you.”

Marvin looked at her, a flicker of emotion crossing his face, “It’s good to see you Mia, I just …..have a lot on my mind.”

Mia walked over and sat across from him, “Want to talk about it? Is it about Lucas?”

Marco shook his, “It's complicated, Mia.”

“Everything's complicated,” Mia replied, leaning closer, “But you know you can trust me.”

Marco sighed, running a hand through his hair, “I just feel like everything’s slipping out of my control. And then there’s you……”

“Me” Mia’s eyebrows raised.

“I know you still have feelings for Lucas.” Mar I said, his voice tinged with bitterness. “But things have changed, I'm here now, and I care about you.”

Mia looked away, conflicted. “Marco, it's…it's complicated.”

“Life is complicated,” Marco echoed her earlier sentiment. “But maybe we can figure it out together.”

Mia hesitated for a moment, then nodded, “I’ll give you a chance, Marco. Let's see how it goes.”

Marco's heart pounded, he reached out to take Mia's hands in his, “Thank you Mia. I promise you won't regret giving me a chance in your life.”