Page 7 of Dom 4
“Should I pull up and drag him out or just let him finish his meal?” Tone joked.
Dom replied. “No, let him have it. I’ll deal with him later.”
Tone burst out laughing. “Too late, big bro. Man look real comfortable.”
Dom ended the call, still shaking his head. “Dominique is about to have us out here looking like we runnin’ a family reunion instead of a cartel if he doesn’t be careful with his dick.”
“Aw, he in love,” I teased, sipping again. “Just joking, Dique is just being Dique. I know my twin; he’s just having fun like always.”
“Yeah,” Dom said. “That’s the problem.”
I kicked my heel up on the edge of the desk and grinned at him. “Don’t act like you and Carmen aren’t soft now too.”
“Difference is,” he said, leaning back in the chair again, “I can afford to be, he can’t.”
I tilted my head, studying him. “Mmm. You really changed, Dom. You have a level of peace in your eyes.”
“I’m happy about the foundation that’s growing between me and Carmen. I’m happy about my unborn, but peace don’t last,” he said quietly. “Not for people like us.”
The room went quiet for a second or two. I didn’t argue because he wasn’t wrong at all. The bass of the music from the floor below filled the silence. I took another slow sip, feeling his gaze drift back to the blacked out monitor on the wall, the one that previously showed showRoom X3.
“Don’t worry,” I said, breaking the silence with a grin. “The mayor’s next appointment is in two weeks. I’ll make sure he signs those zoning permits before he gets his cardio.”
Dom looked up at me, with his jaws tight. “You ridiculous, but you’re my baby sister, and I don’t like the shit.”
“I’m rich,” I added. “Not just off Cartel money either.”
He pointed at me, shaking his head. “You keep playing like that, one of these fools gon’ catch feelings and end up thinking he own you O.”
I smiled, eyes glistening still slightly embarrassed as I removed my Baretta from the small of my back, placing it on the desk. “Let him try.”
Dom sat quiet for a moment. He then leaned forward still in my damn chair resting his elbows on his knees, staring at the dead monitors like he was still seeing everything that had played across them. I could tell his mind was spinning, but his face never gave it away. That’s what made him dangerous because he could think ten moves ahead and never let you see which direction he was moving.
“I’m not gon’ tell you how to handle your business,” he finally said, in a solid tone. “You always been sharp, O’Shynn. You ain’t never needed me holding your hand. Just remember the kind of people we deal with. You got the mayor in your back pocket now, but that kind of power gotta be treated like nitro. Handle it wrong, it’ll blow up in your face.”
I nodded, letting him finish. I didn’t argue because he was right and Dom didn’t talk just to talk. He stood up, adjusted his watch, and glanced toward the door before his eyes bounced back to me. “You grown and I trust your judgment. Just don’t let me catch no more surprises like that.”
“Copy that, boss man,” I said, smiling to soften the tension. “You won’t.” He started to walk toward the door, but I called out, “Wait… hold up a second.”
He turned around and raised his brow. “What?”
I tilted my head, looking him dead in the face. “What’s the update with Victoria?”
He exhaled through his nose. “She’s leaving. Told my people she wanted to go back home for the funeral and I’m lettin’ her. I already got eyes on her. She ain’t going nowhere I don’t know about.”
I sighed, shaking my head. “Mmm, be careful with that one.”
He squinted. “I know.”
“Dom, that woman’s obsessed with you,” I said, pouring myself another small drink. “I’ve seen that look before. She’s one of those women that’ll set herself on fire just to make sure yousmell the smoke. Anything she does from here on out, it’s gon’ be to pull your attention, not to hurt you. I’m just warning you.”
He smirked, but it wasn’t out of amusement. “I know how to deal with women like that.”
“I’m sure you do,” I said, smirking right back. “But knowing and anticipating are two different things. Don’t underestimate her.”
He leaned against the doorframe with one hand gripping the edge, thinking. “She’ll try something,” he said finally. “But I’m not worried. I already know how this plays out. She’s a liability, but she’s also bait. If she moves wrong, she’ll lead me straight to whoever’s left loyal to El Blanca and when she does, I’m wiping the empire dry. No more port runs, no Royal Enterprise exchanges out of Cuba, none of that. They’ll be left drowning for money.”
That was Dom for you, always two steps past emotions, thinking in outcomes instead of his feelings. I set my glass down and folded my arms. “So, what’s next then? We beat El Blanca, and we don’t have any enemies right now trying to take our Empire. You finally got Miami back in order. What’s the next play, King?”
