Chapter 9
The grand foyer was suddenly empty, save for Claire and Dominic. Through the magnificent arches, the dull roar of the gala continued in the ballroom, the wealthy guests in their formal evening clothing entirely oblivious to the violent coup that had just occurred mere feet away. The string quartet was playing a bright, lively waltz, a surreal contrast to the heavy, dark atmosphere lingering by the staircase.
Claire let out a long, shuddering breath. The adrenaline was beginning to recede, leaving her knees feeling slightly weak. She reached out, resting a hand against the cool marble of the console table to steady herself.
Dominic noticed the subtle shift in her posture. He moved closer, his tall, muscular frame radiating a steady, grounding heat.
"Are you alright?" Dominic asked, his deep voice unexpectedly gentle.
Claire looked up at him. The sheer physical presence of the man was still overwhelming. The thick dark hair, the visible tattoos peeking from his open-collar black shirt—he was a creature of violence and power. Yet, he was the only person in thirty years who had ever stood up for her.
"I just overthrew my own father," Claire whispered, a faint, disbelieving laugh escaping her lips. She brushed a stray strand of brown hair back into her elegant loose bun. "I don't know if I'm alright, or if I've just signed a deal with the devil."
"I am undoubtedly the devil," Dominic admitted, his lips curving into a smirk that made him devastatingly handsome. "But I protect what belongs to my empire. And as of tonight, you are the crown jewel of that empire, Claire."
Claire’s breath caught at the possessive edge in his tone. "I signed a business partnership, Mr. Vale. I did not sign myself over to you."
Dominic stepped into her personal space. The scent of bergamot and expensive bourbon surrounded her. He reached out slowly, ensuring she saw the movement, and gently trailed his tattooed knuckles down the line of her jaw. The touch was feather-light, entirely restrained, but it sent a shockwave of electricity straight to her core.
"We are partners, Claire," Dominic murmured, his eyes dropping briefly to her lips before locking onto her eyes. "You have absolute control over the company. I have no interest in micro-managing your brilliance. But make no mistake—I am heavily invested in you. Personally."
Claire’s fair, rosy skin flushed deeply. The raw, unfiltered desire in his cold, observant eyes was both terrifying and deeply thrilling. For her entire life, she had been ignored. Now, the most powerful man in the city was looking at her as if she were the only person in the room.
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"You don't even know me," Claire challenged softly, her heart hammering.
"I know that you saved a dying company from the shadows," Dominic replied, stepping back just enough to let her breathe. "I know that you faced down a room of hostile men without raising your voice. I know everything I need to know, Claire Whitmore. The rest, we have a lifetime to discover."
