Ultimatums

The air was thick with tension as Sasha and Dominic sat across from each other in the penthouse, their earlier embrace fading into a distant memory. She held his hand, but the warmth was marred by the storm raging in her heart. Dominic’s promise to leave his world behind meant everything, yet the looming reality of his past felt like a weight neither of them could shake.

“You understand what this means, Dominic?” Sasha whispered, her eyes searching his. “Walking away… it’s not just leaving. It’s making enemies.”

Dominic’s jaw tightened, his hand instinctively curling around hers. “I know. But I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe. They can take the empire, the money—I don’t care about that if it means losing you.”

The intensity in his gaze was fierce, almost desperate, as if he was holding onto her like a lifeline. And for the first time, she realized just how deeply Dominic had buried himself in this life he was now vowing to abandon. A twinge of fear echoed through her, but she shoved it down, forcing herself to believe him.

“Then we need a plan,” she said, her voice steady. “Something that’ll allow us to disappear without raising suspicion. Luca is still out there. He won’t just sit by and let us walk away.”

Dominic nodded. “I know him too well for that. Luca… he thrives on control, on holding power over people. He won’t stop until he’s dismantled every part of what I’ve built.”

She winced at the implication, but her resolve remained firm. “Then we’ll have to outsmart him. Hit him where he doesn’t expect it.” She took a breath, hesitating before continuing. “You have accounts, documents. Is there anything he doesn’t know about? Something that could give us a head start?”

A shadow crossed Dominic’s face, and he looked away, clearly considering his options. “There is one thing,” he admitted. “An account offshore, hidden under layers of aliases. If we can access it without alerting him, it might be enough to fund a fresh start.”

Hope flickered in her chest, and she nodded, clinging to the possibility of a future without fear. “Then let’s do it. Let’s set everything in motion.”

Hours later, Sasha found herself back in her own apartment, her mind racing with the events of the night. She was committed to helping Dominic leave his dangerous world behind, but a small part of her still feared the unknown.

A knock at her door pulled her from her thoughts. She froze, heart pounding, as she wondered who would come to her at this hour. Slowly, she moved toward the door, steeling herself, then opened it cautiously.

Standing there was Luca, his face calm, an unsettling smile playing at the corner of his mouth. His dark eyes gleamed as he took her in, and the sight sent a chill down her spine.

“Sasha,” he said smoothly, his voice dripping with a mix of charm and menace. “Surprised to see me?”

Her heart thundered in her chest, but she squared her shoulders, meeting his gaze with as much defiance as she could muster. “What do you want, Luca?”

He smirked, leaning casually against the doorframe. “Now, is that any way to greet an old friend? I was just in the neighborhood. Thought I’d check on you. You know, see how you and Dominic are holding up.”

She glared, her patience wearing thin. “Cut the act, Luca. You’re here to intimidate me, aren’t you?”

A low chuckle escaped his lips as he straightened, his gaze turning serious. “I don’t need to intimidate, Sasha. I already know Dominic’s planning something. But the thing is…” He leaned in closer, his eyes narrowing. “I always know when he tries to play the game.”

Her breath caught as she tried to hide her surprise. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Luca’s expression shifted, his smirk widening. “Oh, I think you do. Dominic isn’t just planning to walk away. He’s about to burn every bridge he’s ever crossed. And let’s be honest… he’ll never be able to do it without a little push. That’s where you come in.”

Her heart skipped a beat, confusion clouding her thoughts. “What are you saying?”

“I’m offering you a choice,” he replied, voice low and deliberate. “You can either join him in this grand escape he’s planning—or you can help me bring him down. Imagine the safety, the freedom you’ll have without Dominic’s baggage holding you back.”

She stared at him in shock, her stomach twisting with a mix of fury and disbelief. “You’re insane if you think I’d betray him.”

Luca chuckled, stepping back from the doorway. “Think about it. You can have everything you’ve ever wanted—money, power, freedom—without the risks of Dominic’s world. But make the wrong choice, and you’ll lose more than just him.” He gave her a final, knowing look before disappearing down the hallway, leaving her standing there, shaken to the core.

Hours later, Sasha met with Dominic at a hidden cafe, needing the distance from the city’s prying eyes. He saw her face and immediately recognized the worry etched in her expression.

“What happened?” he asked, his eyes darkening with concern.

She hesitated, the weight of Luca’s offer still pressing on her. “He… he came to my apartment.”

Dominic’s face hardened, his fists clenching as he forced himself to stay calm. “Did he threaten you?”

“Not exactly.” She looked down, her fingers trembling as she replayed Luca’s words. “He gave me an ultimatum, Dominic. Said I could help him bring you down—or lose everything.”

Dominic’s jaw tightened as he absorbed her words, his gaze turning cold. “That snake.”

Sasha took a deep breath, leaning in closer to him. “We have to act now, Dominic. Before he has the chance to make another move.”

A grim determination settled over Dominic as he nodded. “I agree. But if we’re going to beat Luca, we’ll need to outmaneuver him at every turn.” He reached across the table, his hand finding hers. “Are you sure you’re ready for this, Sasha?”

She met his gaze, her own resolve hardening. “I’m in this with you, Dominic. No matter what.”

They spent the rest of the night planning, weaving a strategy so intricate that even Luca would struggle to keep up. Every detail, every precaution was taken, as they both knew failure was not an option. They needed to slip away, to leave Luca empty-handed and powerless to stop them.

The next evening, as they prepared for the final steps of their escape, Sasha felt a sense of foreboding settle over her. The plan was set, and everything was in motion, but a voice in the back of her mind warned her that Luca wouldn’t let them go so easily.

Just as they were about to leave the penthouse, Dominic’s phone buzzed with a message. He read it, his expression darkening as he handed the phone to Sasha.

The text was from Luca: “Leaving so soon? I’d hate for anyone else to get caught up in your little plan. Are you willing to risk it all for her, Dominic?”

Her heart dropped as she read the message, a chill creeping over her. Luca knew, and now he was threatening not only their escape but anyone close to them.

“We have to go now,” Dominic said, urgency in his voice. “He’s already a step ahead. If we don’t move, he’ll close in on us.”

They grabbed their things, racing out into the night. The city lights flickered as they sped through the streets, every shadow feeling like a trap, every corner hiding the threat of Luca’s men. But they pressed on, driven by the promise of freedom, the life they could have if they could just shake free of his grip.

But as they turned down a narrow alley, the headlights of a car behind them flared. Sasha’s heart pounded as she looked in the rearview mirror, dread settling over her.

“It’s him,” she whispered, her hand clutching Dominic’s. “He’s right behind us.”

Dominic’s face set in determination. “Hold on, Sasha.”

He slammed the gas, swerving through side streets, desperate to lose Luca’s tail. They careened through the city, the sounds of the car behind them echoing like a heartbeat, pulsing with every turn.

But Luca was relentless. He stayed on their heels, refusing to let them escape.

Just as Sasha felt a wave of hopelessness settle over her, Dominic made a sharp turn, leading them into a labyrinth of old warehouses. The night swallowed them, and for a brief moment, it seemed as though they’d finally lost Luca.

They stopped, breathless, their hearts racing as they stared into the dark expanse of the warehouse district. Dominic took her hand, pulling her close. “We’re almost there, Sasha. Just a little farther, and we’ll be free.”

But before she could reply, headlights illuminated the area around them, casting long shadows over the pavement. Sasha’s heart sank as she saw Luca’s figure emerge from the car, a gun glinting in his hand, his gaze focused on them.

“Well,” Luca called out, a cold smile stretching across his face. “Looks like the game’s over, Dominic.”

Sasha clutched Dominic’s hand, her pulse pounding as they faced the man who had vowed to tear them apart. She knew this was their final stand, and as Luca leveled the gun at them, the realization hit her with brutal clarity.

They would either escape together, or they would fall together—because Luca would accept nothing less than total surrender.