ROSE 186

Posted by AdminHHAdmin, ? Views, Released on June 21, 2025

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Chapter 186

Chapter 186

Aria’s POV

The buzzing of my phone pulled me from my thoughts on how to help Dominic. I quickly picked up the phone, glancing at the screen, heart jumping at

Carmen’s name.

I pressed it to my ear. “Carmen? Is everything okay?”

Her breath was quick, voice low but clear. “Better than okay, Aria. I’ve got something good for you that might help with your case.”

I sat upright, suddenly alert. “Tell me.”

“Remember those VIP contacts I told you about? The high profile regulars at the club? Well, Victoria and Nico were there last night. And honey, they

talked.”

My pulse quickened. “What did they say?”

I heard her take a deep breathz probably for dramatic effects because that’s Carmen, but it didn’t calm me down in anyway, just made goosebumps appear on my skin as my mind started to move fasting than a train.

“They’re planning some sort of event, like a meeting or an auction, something huge. I heard Nico mention they’d use it to send a message.” She paused, clearly trying to remember every detail. “He said, ‘We need to show everyone Dominic isn’t untouchable.‘ Victoria laughed and said, ‘By the time we’re done, they’ll know we were the ones who unraveled Dominic’s entire empire.””

My chest tightened hard.

This was it.

The thing Dominic had been dreading.

The storm we saw coming but couldn’t stop. Nico and Victoria weren’t hiding anymore, they were loud about it, bragging in front of Carmen’s VIP crowd so as to get them on their side and they were doing a damn good job about it.

“How soon?” I asked, barely getting the words out.

“Soon,” Carmen said, voice fast and serious. “Maybe in days. Or less. They were already on calls, talking to big names–major syndicate people. Aria, whatever they’re planning, they’re acting like this is it. Like it’s the final move.”

I shut my eyes for a second, trying to breathe past the knot in my stomach. Fear wrapped tight around my ribs.

This felt bigger than anything we’d gone through before. “Did they say where?”

“Not exactly. But Victoria said something about Dominic’s old spots–the ones Nico already grabbed. Probably one of the safe houses they took from

him.

I tightened my grip on the phone, fingers going numb, Dominic was losing ground and losing trust. They weren’t just coming for him to kill him, they were trying to embarrass him. Make him look powerless in front of his own crew.

“Carmen, this matters. Can you find out more? Like, actual details. Anything we can use.”

“I’ll try,” she said, cutting in quick. “I’ll dig, but I gotta be careful. Aria, they mentioned you. Victoria said you’re the key to breaking him. Over and over. You have to be careful.”

I will,” I said, keeping my voice low. “Thank you.”

“Always. Just stay safe, okay?”

Chapter 186

carne call ended just as the front door opened, footsteps echoing sharply through the hallway. My heart hammered nervOA FONTAN

Dominic appeared in the doorway, his expression grim, dark eyes scanning me sharply.

Arla, he said roughly. “We need to talk.”

t looked at him, noticing the stress lines etched deeply into his face. “When did you get home?”

“A minute ago.” He closed the door quietly, leaning against it as though the weight of the entire city rested upon his shoulders. He ran a hand through his hair, tension evident in every muscle. “Things are getting worse.”

I swallowed hard. “I know. Carmen just called. Nico and Victoria…” I buy my lips as I looked at him from underneath my lashes, “they’re planning something big. She overheard them at the club.”

His eyes darkened further, he stepped into the room, sitting on the couch opposite me,“So I have heard. Carmen reported to Luca first before coming to you.”

“Oh, okay that’s good.” I stood up slowly, moving toward him. “Dominic, they said

hid this would be the end of your empire. They mentioned me specifically. They want to humiliate you publicly. I hate the fact that I am being used as your weak point”

He nodded tightly, jaw flexing. “They’ve gained too much ground. Nico’s taken another territory today. One of my men turned, he’s revealed the locations of our remaining safe houses.”

My heart clenched painfully in my chest. “What does that mean for us?”

“It means nowhere is safe anymore. Not even here.” He exhaled heavily, frustration radiating off him. “I can’t protect you the way I need to, not when I don’t even know who I can trust anymore.”

I reached for him instinctively, my fingers brushing softly against his arm. “Then let me help. Please.”

His gaze snapped to mine, alarm flaring behind the stern mask. “No. We’ve talked about this. You’re not getting involved.”

“I’m already involved.” My voice was firm, unwavering. “Dominic, listen to me. If they’re using me as leverage, let’s turn it against them. Use me as bait…”

“No,” he growled sharply, voice dangerously low. “Absolutely not!”

“Dominic-”

“Aria.” He took my shoulders gently but firmly, his eyes fierce. “Do you understand what you’re asking? Nico and Victoria are ruthless. They’d stop at nothing to hurt you if they got their hands on you again.”

“I know that.” My voice was steady despite the anxiety crawling up my spine. “But it’s the only way. They won’t resist the chance to humiliate you through me. It’s predictable. It’s exactly how we catch them off guard.”

He shook his head, jaw tight. “I won’t risk it. You’re not some expendable asset, Aria.”

“And neither are you!” I snapped, anger flaring. “Dominic, you’re losing everything. Territories, men, respect. You can’t fight this battle alone, not anymore. If you want to stop them, you have to trust me. We can do this together.”

His eyes searched mine desperately, vulnerability slipping past his usual defenses. “You’re asking me to put you directly in harm’s way.”

I stepped even closer, my hand brushing softly against his. “I’m asking you to trust that we can handle this together. Trust that I can handle this.”

He inhaled sharply, his resolve clearly wavering under my steady gaze. “Aria…”

“I believe in you,” I whispered, sliding my fingers slowly down his chest, watching as his eyes flickered with conflicted desire. “But I need you to believe in me too. I want to help. I want to fight beside you.”

He hesitated, his fingers flexing against my shoulders. His breathing quickened, eyes locked on mine, turmoil warring with need.

Chapter 186

I took advantage of the moment. I slid onto his lap, straddling him right there in the plush leather sofa by the window.

I could feel his heartbeat quicken beneath my palms, his hands moving Instinctively to my hips,

I lowered my mouth to his ear, my voice a breathy, intimate whisper. “Please, Dom. Let me do this. Let me help you finish this.

A low growl vibrated deep in his chest, it was filled with frustration and arousal. His grip tightened, fingers digging into my hips with possezerve strength

“Aria, you’re playing dirty.”

“I’m doing what I have to,” I whispered, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to the cor

of his mouth. “Because I know you’d never say yes otherwise,

He groaned quietly, tipping his head back against the chair as he closed his eyes, clearly battling the urge to relent. “You have no idea what you’re asking.”

“I do,” I murmured softly, letting my lips trail lightly down his jaw, feeling the subtle shudder run through his body. “I’m asking you to trust me, to believe in me the way I believe in you.”

His fingers moved to thread roughly through my hair, pulling me back just enough to meet his burning gaze. His eyes flashed with conflicted intensity, lust tangled deeply with fear.

“You’re my weakness,” he said huskily, voice barely audible. “Do you understand that? If anything happens to you…”

I cupped his face gently, thumbs stroking his jaw as I pressed our foreheads together. “Nothing will happen to me, not with you there.”

He stared at me, the weight of everything unsaid shimmering between us. His defenses finally shattered beneath the desperate sincerity in my voice.

“You might get hurt,” he warned softly, his thumb tracing my lower lip with aching gentleness, despite his harsh words.

I smiled gently against his touch, refusing to back down. “Then you better make sure I don’t.”

He let out a frustrated sigh, a deep rumble in his chest that echoed his struggle. His eyes stayed locked with mine, dark and intense. I could see the war raging within him–the need to protect me fighting against the undeniable truth of my words.

“You’re so damn stubborn,” he murmured finally, his voice gruff, tinged with reluctant admiration. “You know that?”

I tilted my head slightly, a soft smile pulling at the corners of my lips. “I learned from the best.”

His grip tightened possessively on my hips, pulling me closer against him. “I wish this was a game but it isn’t Aria and you are taking it like that. Nico and Victoria, they won’t hesitate. They won’t stop until they’ve hurt us both. You’re asking me to willingly place you in the lion’s den.”

“I’m not asking lightly,” I whispered, brushing my fingertips across his strong jaw. “I’m doing this because it’s the only real chance we have. You said it yourself, Dominic. They know I’m your weakness, and they’ll never pass up a chance to exploit it.”

He shook his head, a deep frown creasing his brow, frustration evident in every taut muscle of his body. “I could lose you. And if I did-”

“You won’t.” My voice was quiet but firm. “I trust you to keep me safe. But you have to trust me too.”

His eyes narrowed slightly, reading my resolve, searching for any crack he could leverage. But I held steady, determined to see this through. I wasn’t backing down. Not this time. Not anymore.

“You’re not leaving my sight for a single second,” he finally conceded, his voice low and thick with tension. “And the minute I say we’re pulling out, we leave. No arguments.”

“Agreed.” I cupped his face gently, forcing him to meet my gaze fully. “Dominic, I promise, I know what I’m doing.”

“I don’t doubt your bravery, Aria,” he said quietly, his eyes softening for just a moment. “It’s your safety that terrifies me. The thought of anything happening to you…”