His to Love, Not to Claim

This chapter is dedicated to Ijawwitch419 — your patience after that cliffhanger was pure magic. This chapter is a little thank you spell, just for you. You've earned this chapter. ❤️🌸

Dominic POV

Dominic watched the doors to the hallway like a man waiting for a storm to hit.

Aria had been gone too long.

He knew she was safe his security detail was discreet but thorough but something still clawed at his instincts.

Nina and Luca stood to his right, sipping champagne and pretending this wasn't an ambush in black tie.

He turned to them, voice even.

"So," Dominic said, "how did this happen?"

Luca smiled. "You'll have to be more specific, brother. The champagne? The party? Or the woman on my arm?"

Dominic didn't blink. "Nina."

Nina's red lips curved. "Fate."

"Don't insult me." He said

She tilted her head. "We crossed paths at a gallery in SoHo. He liked my taste in sculpture. I liked his lack of shame."

Dominic looked at Luca, his expression unreadable. "She works for me."

"Not anymore," Nina interjected smoothly. "Not officially, anyway."

Dominic said coldly "Tell me, Luca was your decision to bring her here tonight about business or entertainment?"

Luca chuckled. "Why can't it be both?"

Nina leaned in, her perfume too sweet, too strong  like a mask. "We're just catching up with old friends, Dominic. No hidden blades tonight. Unless you're hiding one."

"I don't need to hide anything," he said. "That's your talent, isn't it?"

The smile slid from Nina's face for a fraction of a second. Not long. But enough.

Dominic filed it away.

There was something too polished about them together. Too quick. Too curated.

And Nina never played second to anyone unless there was a larger hand moving the pieces.

He opened his mouth to say more but stopped when he saw her.

Aria.

She was walking toward them in that deep blue dress, her hand resting gently on her stomach, her eyes flicking curiously between the three of them.

Unaware that she was stepping into a den of wolves.

Luca's eyes lit up. "And who might this vision be?"

Aria hesitated.

Dominic moved slightly, an unconscious protective shift. "Aria. This is my half brother, Luca Voss." He introduced

Luca extended a hand, charm turned all the way up. "Enchanté."

Aria shook it lightly, a polite smile on her face but her eyes briefly darted to Nina.

"And this," she said slowly, "you've met already."

Nina laughed. "Not formally. Aria and I keep having almost meetings, don't we?"

Then, too casually Nina turned to Dominic "Dominic, you should let her introduce us properly. A woman like that deserves to be acknowledged."

Aria blinked. "You mean...?"

Nina nodded. "You should introduce me. Officially. As someone in your life."

Dominic's spine tensed.

It was subtle  the smallest twitch of pressure in the air.

But he saw it.

The trap.

One designed not for Aria but for him.

Luca watched silently now, sipping his drink, eyes sharp.

Aria looked between them, clearly uncertain, caught in a moment she didn't understand.

Dominic stepped forward, his voice smooth"There's no need."

"But" Aria began.

He met her eyes not harsh, but firm."You don't owe her anything, Aria."

A beat passed.

Then, calmly, Nina said, "I suppose we'll just have to find our own introductions, won't we?"

Dominic smiled all teeth.

"Not if I find your exit first."