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Chapter 132
Chapter 132
“Does Mikael know you are such a lousy liar?” I said to Nico who stood in front of the flowing water in the abandones don the place drenched in shadows, light from the moonlight and sounds coming from the cricket.
It contained memories that was long gone from this world.
The creaking wood beneath our feet whispered of years gone by, rusted metal crates loomed like broken giants in the moonlight. The air carried the scent of salt and decay, the sea murmuring its disapproval, lapping gently at the crumbing pier.
He smiled bitterly, his face half–hidden in the darkness, the moon casting sharp lines over his features 1 leamed from the best,” Nico murmured, eyes flicking up to mine, cold but alive with a dangerous look.
Hatred fueled by his ego.
This place had once belonged to me. We used to come here as boys, sneaking away from our fathers watchful gazes smoking cigarettes stolen from their coat pockets, and dreaming of the future. Nico had always been the brother chose the one I trusted above all else. It felt strangely cruel ironic that this same port, witness to our laughter and youthful ambitions, would now bear witness to our bitter betrayal.
“I never thought you’d stoop this low,” I said quietly, taking a step forward, the wooden boards beneath me groaning softly- Tell me why, Nico. After everything we’ve been through, everything we’ve built together why betray me and fake your death? He laughed, the sound hollow and sharp, slicing through the quiet of the night. “You really have to ask me that, Dom? Really?” He shook his head bitterly. “You know exactly why. My father he’s always hated me. Always saw me as lesser. Always compared me to you. You were his ideal choice of a man,his dream son. Smart, ruthless, powerful. Me? I was nothing but a shadow, your shadow, always trailing behind, never good enough.”
He stepped closer, eyes glittering with barely controlled rage. “Every fucking day of my life, I had to hear him say, “Why can’t you be more like Dominic?‘ ‘Dominic wouldn’t have fucked this up.‘ ‘Dominic would never disappoint me. You think that was easy? You think it didn’t eat at me every damn minute?”
“So that’s it? Jealousy?” I scoffed, disgust dripping from each word. “You turned your back on the family on me because you couldn’t measure up? Because you were weak enough to let his words break you?”
Nico flinched, the anger in his eyes burning brighter, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. “Weak?” he spat. You call me weak, Dom? You think you’re so goddamn perfect, don’t you? Untouchable. Cold and Heartless. But you’re not better than me. You’re just better at pretending.”
I shook my head slowly, the weight of his words pressing hard against my chest, stoking a fire I’d kept smothered for too long. “Blaming your father? Blaming me? That’s the coward’s way out, Nico. Always has been. You’ve never taken accountability for anything you fuck things up and run, hiding behind excuses, making everything harder for the rest of us Now you want me to pity you because you weren’t man enough to step out of someone else’s shadow?
His jaw tightened, eyes narrowing dangerously. For a moment, neither of us spoke, the only sound was the quiet rhythm of water hitting the dock below us. Then Nico’s lips curled into a cruel smirk, dark and mocking.
“Careful with your insults, Dom,” he warned softly, stepping closer until we stood inches apart. His voice dropped, a venomous whisper in my ear, “You might not want to push away the only ally you have left.”
“I don’t need allies like you,” I snapped back coldly. “I’d rather stand alone than stand with a traitor.”
Nico chuckled, a bitter laugh echoing into the night. “Traitor, huh? That’s rich, coming from the man who’s let a woman weaken his empire. Speaking of which, does Aria know how much faith you’ve placed in her? How much trust you’ve foolishly given her?”
My blood ran cold at the mention of her name. I kept my expression blank, careful not to betray any emotion. “Leave Ara out of this,” I warned darkly, voice edged in steel.
His smirk widened, eyes glittering with a sickening satisfaction. “Oh, Dominic,” he murmured, mock–pity coloring his tone,” You really have no idea, do you?”
“Don’t,” I said sharply, fury simmering beneath my words. “Don’t even go there.”
Nico tilted his head slowly, watching me with unsettling calmness. “You’re so blinded by her. So damn sure she’s loyal, aren t you? But how much do you really know about Aria Montel?” He paused, his voice lowering, becoming dangerously sort. She isn’t who you think she is.”
My fists tightened, knuckles white, resisting th Successfully unlocked! him down right there. “You’re grasping, Nico” | snarled. “You think planting doubts about Aria Mask you?
He shook his head slowly, a faint smile curving his lips. “I don’t need saving, Dominic. You, on the other hand…. Well, I’d be very careful if I were you.”
I narrowed my eyes, suspicion gnawing at my gut. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
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Chapter 132
His gaze locked onto mine, dark, knowing, and cruelly triumphant. “Aria’s been talking to me,” he murmured softly, savoring each poisonous word. “All along.”
The ground seemed to shift beneath my feet, a cold dread spreading through my veins. For a moment, I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t speak. I stared at Nico, searching his face desperately for any hint of deceit, any lie behind those words but there was nothing.
Only satisfaction, cold and bitterly victorious.
He stepped back, smirking as he watched the horror bloom across my expression Careful who you trust, Dominic,” he said, voice calm, almost casual. “Turns out, your angel isn’t as loyal as you think.”
My heart slammed violently against my ribs, each word of his twisting inside my chest like a knife. “What the fuck are you talking about?” My voice was low, raw with the effort to keep myself controlled. Even though my heart… why does my heart hurt so much?
Nico laughed softly, the sound echoing across the empty port, mocking me, ridiculing every shred of trust I’d fought so hard to build. “You thought she was yours, didn’t you? Innocent little Aria, so pure, so trapped. But you underestimated her, Dom. You underestimate everyone around you.you think just because you are the mafia don, everyone else is shit and beneath you.“.
“Speak clearly,” I growled, stepping closer again, my fists tight enough to crack bone. “No more beating around the bush and irrelevant talk.‘”
He tilted his head, eyes glittering darkly in the muted glow of moonlight. “When she came to me, trembling, desperate for escape, do you think she was thinking of you? She kissed me, Dominic. Her lips on mine soft and wager for freedom. You fucked her in public, I gave her the privacy she deserves. She’d have done anything to taste freedom, even if it meant betraying you.”
My stomach turned violently at the image his words conjured Aria’s lips against Nico’s, her hands clinging to his shoulders, her body pressed willingly into him. I fought to keep my face impassive, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing my pain, but inside I was unraveling.
“You’re lying,” I ground out through clenched teeth.
Nico’s eyes hardened, cold amusement dripping from his gaze. “Am I? Why don’t you ask Emilia? Your quiet maid. Did you think it coincidence she appeared exactly when Aria arrived? Emilia isn’t who you think she is either. Mikael planted her. She’s been his spy from day one.”
The world tilted beneath me, each revelation punching holes through my sanity. Emilia the shy, gentle maid who Aria trusted, who she ran to when I’d pushed too far, I suspected her, I knew but aria was so goddamn close to her.
Seems it was another lie, another betrayal.
I stared at Nico, my voice shaking dangerously. “You’re making this shit up.”
“Am I?” Nico’s voice dropped, quieter now, dripping poison into the silence. “Why do you think Aria had the courage to escape? Emilia planned every step. They whispered together in dark corridors, plotting behind your back. All your efforts to control her to keep her meant nothing. She never belonged to you.”
I felt the port spin around me, memories and reality blurring into one sickening revelation. Every quiet moment, every stolen glance, every whispered secret how many were lies?
“You’re alone, Dominic, Nico continued, stepping closer again, his voice painfully gentle, almost compassionate. “Your empire is hollow. Your angel betrayed you, your trusted maid spies for the enemy and even your own brother doesn’t trust you enough to share his secrets.”
I stilled, my breath lodged painfully in my chest. “What are you talking about?”
He smirked, cruel triumph glittering in his eyes. “Julian,” he said slowly, savoring each syllable. “He knocked up a Bratva princess. Now he’s scrambling, hiding the girl like some dirty secret, terrified you’ll find out. Your own flesh and blood, Dominic, afraid to come to you. Tell me, how does it feel to know that everyone you care about fears you?”
Something inside me cracked something deep, something irreparable. Julian had always been the bright spot, the easy smile, the one who stood by me without question. Now even that felt tarnished.
Enemies everywhere. Betrayals around every corner. Lies dripping from lips I’d kissed, from people I’d protected. Nico watched me carefully, his expression a mixture of triumph and pity. “You built this, Dominic. You created a world where no one dares speak truth to you. And now you’re drowning in the silence of their lies.”
I clenched my jaw so tightly my teeth ached, fury and grief twisting inside me. I felt hollowed out, abandoned in a place that once echoed with the laughter of two boys who had vowed loyalty, trust brotherhood.
“You think you’ve won?” My voice was cold, hard.
Nico smiled softly, shaking his head as if saddened by my ignorance. “I didn’t have to win, Dominic. You’ve already lost. You‘ re utterly alone now. How does it feel? You lost me. You lost your brother. And you lost your woman.”
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Chapter 132
He turned then, stepping back into the shadows, leaving me standing at the edge of the dock with the th of betrayal pressing into my chest.
I fell to my knees as I looked at my hands.
The word echoed in my ears. Alone.
I was always alone but now… it felt too real and as a man…I felt the tears from within me build up.
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