Lucia still slept deeply when I woke early the next morning. Kissing her softly on her forehead, I climbed out of bed and tucked her back in, then left a note, and drove to Dominic’s house. He lived about forty-five minutes away. When I got there, I saw my father’s sedan in the circular driveway. I wondered what he was doing here. If he was meeting with Dominic about the Luke DeMarco situation.

Stop being so fucking paranoid.

If it wasn’t for Lucia, would I give a fuck if Dominic became the next boss? Would I care? Or would I take the opportunity and walk away? Although walking away wasn’t really an option. Nothing in this life came that easy.

I shook it off. I needed to focus. Parking my car behind my father’s, I walked to the front door, my anger from yesterday coming back white-hot as I approached. Lucia had tempered it. She’d cooled the anger, turned it into something else. She’d awakened a different side of me, one I’d tried to keep buried for a very long time. I’d always thought that part of me weak, but it was actually the opposite.

I rang the doorbell. A woman I’d only seen here twice before answered. As soon as she recognized me, I saw the momentary note of panic on her face.

“Mr. Benedetti, was Dominic expecting you?”

“No, it’s a surprise visit.” She seemed nervous and stood blocking the doorway.

“He’s in a meeting, sir, and he said no interruptions.”

“Did he?” I glanced behind her. A woman vacuumed the living room, but apart from that, the house stood still. “Well, I need to see him, so please step aside.”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that, sir.”

“What’s your name?”

“Patricia, sir.”

“Patricia, I need to see my brother. I need you to step aside.”

“Sir,” she glanced behind her, clearly uncertain what to do. “I’m not supposed to…”

I smiled as wide as I could, feeling the gesture crinkle the corners of my eyes. “I’ll take full responsibility, Patricia. Don’t worry.”

She hesitated, and I took advantage, nudging her out of my way as I entered the house. I went straight for Dominic’s study located around back. A man stood at the door, but my presence clearly surprised him. I just grinned and walked right past him. I’d put my hand on the doorknob before I felt his hand fall on my shoulder.

I gave it a sideways glance, eyebrows raised, before meeting his gaze.

His eyes went wide, and the weight of his hand lessened.

He knew who I was. Good.

“Sir—” he started.

“Step back.”

It took him a moment, and I didn’t wait for him to decide. Instead, I turned the handle and pushed the door open to find Dominic, Roman, and my father sitting around the circular table inside.