Chapter 24 

Dominic’s POV 

I adjusted my cufflinks, watching Aria as she leaned against the sink, still catching her breath. Her dress was slightly askew, her legs wobbly, her lips parted from the force of what had just happened. 

She looked ruined. 

Perfect 

But there was still work to do. 

I reached into my pocket, pulled out a clean handkerchief, and handed it to her. “Fix yourself,” I ordered. “You don’t get to walk out looking like you just got fucked” 

She snatched it from my hand, shooting me a glare. “I did just get fucked,” she muttered, wiping at the corners of her 

mouth 

I smirked. Then consider it a favor or better still a blessing.” 

She huffed but straightened up, smoothing down her dress with shaky hands, I let her compose herself before stepping in front of her gripping her chin lightly. 

JAM 

“Now, listen carefully,” I murmured, my tone shifting to something more serious. “I need you to help me with something at the auction.” 

Her brows furrowed, but she didn’t pull away. “What?” 

I reached into my jacket pocket and pulled out my phone, scrolling through a list before turning the screen to face her 

Displayed was an image of a small, antique–looking box, black lacquer with gold filigree, elegant and old 

“This is what I want,” I said. 

She frowned. “A jewelry box?” 

I chuckled. “Not just any jewelry box, gattina. It’s a 17th–century Romanov heirloom. Only five were ever made. Inside, it holds a hidden compartment for documents, which makes it a lot more valuable than it looks and I have been planning on getting it in my hands.” 

Ana glanced at the screen, her fingers brushing over the image. “And what’s in this particular one?” 

“That’s the interesting part, I said, tucking my phone away. “Rumor has it, Mikael Petrov got his hands on it last year just a touch before it was shipped away. It was passed down through one of the old Russian bloodlines, but what matters isn’t the box itself, bit’s what’s inside.” 

She arched an eyebrow. “Which is?” 

“Names.” 

Aria stiffened slightly. “What kind of names?” 

“The kind that can ruin men.” 

Her expression shifted, realization dawning. 

“The auction isn’t just about money, Aria. It’s about power. Control. That box contains a list of old transactions, deals between Russian oligarchs and certain people of interest in Beldova. Politicians. Judges. CEOs. The kind of names that, if exposed, could bring down a lot of powerful men.” 

Her eyes darkened slightly. “And you want to use it?” 

I smirked. “Let’s just say I prefer having leverage.” 

She crossed her arms. “And what do you need me for?” 

I stepped closer, lowering my voice. “Because Mikael doesn’t know I want it. He thinks I’m just here to talk business. If I bid on it, he’ll drive the price up out of spite. But if you bid…” 

Her lips parted slightly. “He won’t suspect anything.” 

“Exactly.” 

She shook her head. “And what’s the starting price for something like this?” 

“Two million,” I said smoothly. 

Her eyes widened. “Two million?” 

I chuckled. “It’s worth five times that, at least. I plan to take it at four, maybe four and a half.” 

She swallowed, glancing toward the door. “And you trust me to do this?” 

Chapter 24 

I tilted my head. “You want me to trust you, don’t you?” 

She pressed her lips together but didn’t answer. 

I smirked. “Then prove it and don’t act scared of the money. It’s not a ber.” 

She sighed, rubbing a hand down her face. Fine. But what do I do?” 

I leaned back, watching her carefully. “You’ll sit separately from me during the auction. There will be other buyers, but I doubt anyone else will push hard for it. Petrov thinks it’s just an artifact–he has no idea what’s inside. He only knows it passed through Russian men but he doesn’t know how to get that information. That’s why I need you to bid, not me.” She nodded slowly, taking it all in. “And how far do I go?” 

“Four million. If it gets pushed higher, I 

She exhaled. “So I just… raise my hand?” 

handle it.” 

I chuckled, “You make it sound so simple. But yes. Stay composed, don’t show hesitation. Once you have the winning bid, they’ll ask for confirmation. Keep it professional. The payment will be handled through my people.” 

Aria studied me for a long moment. “And if someone else wants it?” 

I smiled. Then they become my problem” 

She sighed again, shaking her head. “Jesus. And here I thought I’d just be standing around drinking champagne all night.” 

I smirked, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. “Life with me isn’t that simple, gattina.” 

She rolled her eyes but didn’t move away. “No kidding.” 

I tilted her chin up, my fingers lingering against her jaw. “You’ll do fine. Just remember–don’t let them see weakness.” 

She huffed. “Yeah, yeah. Stand tall, shoulders back. I got it.” 

I grinned. “Good thing you are listening. I like you all obedient and stuff.” 

Her eyes narrowed, but before she could snap at me, I stepped back, straightening my suit. “Come on. The auction’s about 

to start. 

She took a deep breath, adjusting her dress before following me toward the doors. 

The auction hall was filled with the city’s wealthiest, men and women dressed in tailored suits and shining gowns with makeup that make them look like clowns, sipping expensive champagne as they prepared to throw away millions on things they didn’t need. 

I guided Aria toward a seat near the middle of the room, separate from mine. I could feel her hesitation, the slight tension in her body as she lowered herself onto the velvet chair. 

“Remember what I told you,” I murmured, my fingers grazing her bare shoulder as I leaned in. “Confidence.” 

She exhaled through her nose. “I got it, Dominic.” 

I smirked. “We’ll see.” 

I took my place a few rows behind her, crossing one leg over the other as the auctioneer took the stage. 

“Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to tonight’s exclusive auction, the man announced, his voice polished, rehearsed. “We have a fine selection of rare and exquisite items this evening. Let’s begin.” 

I barely paid attention to the first few items an overpriced painting, a vintage car, a diamond necklace some bored socialite bid on just because she could. 

Then, finally- 

“Our next item,” the auctioneer announced, “is a rare Romanov heirloom, dating back to the seventeenth century. A. handcrafted lacquered jewelry box, adorned with gold filigree, once belonging to one of the most influential families in Russian history.” 

A spotlight illuminated the item as it was carefully placed on a pedestal at the front of the room. 

Aria stiffened slightly, but to her credit, she didn’t let it show. 

“The starting bid,” the auctioneer continued, “is two million dollars.” 

Silence 

Then a number flashed on the screen- 

Aria 

I smirked. Good girl. 

“Two million, from the lovely lady in the black dress.” The auctioneer smiled, glancing around the room. “Do I hear two–point -five?” 

2/ 

Someone to my left raised a hand 

“Two point five million the wine nced other thr 

Ana lifted her paddle again 

I watched as Petrov’s man leaned over to whisper something to Mike Barkly moved, sesing his son, but after a 

intreper dee moment, the man raised his paddle again 

“Three point foe” 

aw the way her fingers tightened around the padd 

Tour million the auctioneer announced 

My eyes moyed through the crowd Lets see how far they can take this to one else was dang 

I could here whispers 

“What was so important about 

ut a mere bou? One said. 

Pfft, idiot 

My eyes landed on Mikael I could see Mikael watching her now, his heard tied slightly intrique fidering in his eyes 

This was the problern 

He was starting to suspect. 

“Four point five” his man called 

exhaled slowly, rubbing a finger against my lower lip. 

Aria glanced at me over her shoulder, and I gave her the smallest 

She lifted her paddle. Five million” 

Murmurs spread through the crowd 

The auctioneer smiled. “Five million! A bold bid. Do I hear five point five 

Petrov leaned back, swirling the whiskey in his glass. He was thinking 

I tensed slightly. If he went higher, Aria would have to stop. 

The moment stretched 

Then, finally- 

Petrov lifted two fingers. 

“Five point five million!” 

I sighed. That’s enough. 

Aria looked back at me again, unsure. 

I nodded once and stood. 

Time to end this. 

I buttoned my suit jacket as I walked toward the front, ignoring the whispers that followed me 

“Six million,” I said smoothly. 

The auctioneer blinked, surprised, before regaining his composure. “Six million! Mr. De Luca has entered the bidding. Dol hear six–point five?” 

I turned my head slightly, lacking eyes with Petrov 

He smirked 

I smirked back 

Victoria whispered something to him and he nodded. 

This wasn’t about the money. It was about who would back down first 

His fingers tapped against his glass once. Twice. 

Then, with a slow exhale, he leaned back and shook his head. 

“Six million going once twice. The auctioneer paused, scanning the room. 

Silence. 

Chapter 24 

“Sold To Mr. De Luca for six million dollars 

A round of polite applause followed, but my eyes stayed on Mikael. 

His smirk widened 

“You must really want that box, he mused, his voice just loud enough for me to hear 

I returned his smirk. “You have no idea, it would be a great collection” 

Then I turned and walked back to my seat. 

Aria was watching me as she took a sit beside me, her amber eyes unreadable 

I leaned down, brushing my lips against her ear. “Good job, gattina.” 

She huffed. “You had to step in.” 

I chuckled “Of course I did.” 

I straightened, offering her my hand. “Come. Let’s collect what’s mine” 

She hesitated. Then, finally, she placed her hand in mine 

And I led her out of the room 

A 

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