MADDEST OBSESSION - Chapter 16: Chapter 16

The next morning, sunlight poured through the penthouse windows like nothing had happened. But Aria could still feel the tension thick in the air, as if the walls themselves remembered the blood spilled the night before.
Dominic was already awake, standing at the edge of the balcony, speaking quietly on the phone. His voice was sharp, deadly calm — the tone he used when issuing orders that ended in bodies.
Aria stood in the doorway, watching him.
He finally hung up and turned, his gaze softening only for her. “You should have stayed in my room.”
“You were busy,” she said, walking closer. “And I’m not a porcelain doll, Dominic.”
He brushed a hand down her hair, his thumb tracing her jaw. “You are far more dangerous than that.”
Before she could respond, Gabriel arrived, uninvited again. This time dressed in a suit, his charming grin firmly back in place. “Dominic. Aria.”
Dominic’s eyes narrowed. “You’re bold showing your face here after last night.”
Gabriel held up a bottle of vintage wine like a peace offering. “A gesture of goodwill. To celebrate that we’re all still breathing.”
Aria tensed. She didn’t trust the gesture—or Gabriel’s timing.
Dominic’s voice was flat. “Get to the point.”
Gabriel’s grin didn’t waver. “Salvatore moves faster than we expected. I intercepted intel—he plans to hit your East shipment tomorrow. Arms. Drugs. Millions at stake.”
Dominic’s jaw clenched. “And you expect me to believe you’re helping me out of kindness?”
Gabriel’s eyes flicked to Aria briefly before answering, “We all have our reasons. Mine happens to be survival. If Salvatore wins this war, neither of us walks away unscathed.”
Dominic studied him for a long moment, then gestured toward the wine. “Pour it.”
Gabriel arched a brow. “You think I’d poison you?”
Dominic’s voice was ice. “If you want my trust, earn it.”
With a half-laugh, Gabriel uncorked the bottle and poured two glasses. He took the first sip himself without hesitation, then handed the second to Dominic.
Dominic took a slow drink, never breaking eye contact.
Aria couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. The ease, the smoothness — Gabriel was playing a long game.
As if on cue, Dominic swayed slightly. His grip on the glass tightened. His eyes blinked slowly once, then again.
“Dominic?” Aria’s voice sharpened.
He set the glass down carefully, his body stiff. “Gabriel… what the hell did you do?”
Gabriel’s smile turned razor-sharp. “Just a little insurance policy. Don’t worry — it’s not lethal. But it will keep you… occupied for the next few hours.”
Dominic’s muscles locked as the toxin worked through his system.
Gabriel stepped closer to Aria, his voice a silk threat. “While he’s temporarily out of commission, I thought we could have a little… conversation.”
Aria backed away, her heart slamming against her ribs.
“You’re insane,” she hissed.
“I’m focused,” Gabriel replied softly. “Salvatore might think he’s the king of this chessboard, but he’s forgotten something very important—” His hand brushed her arm, fingers light but possessive. “The queen controls the game.”
Dominic growled, forcing his body to move, but his limbs were sluggish. His vision blurred.
“Stay away from her,” Dominic ground out.
Gabriel leaned in closer to Aria, his voice low. “Make no mistake, Aria. I’m not your enemy. But you will have to choose who you trust when this war truly breaks open.”
Then he turned on his heel and walked out, leaving Dominic barely able to stand and Aria frozen in shock.
Aria rushed to Dominic, helping him sit down.
His jaw was tight, his voice strained. “I will kill him for touching you.”
But deep inside, Aria knew: this was only the beginning. And soon, the cost
of this war wouldn’t be measured in money or power — but in blood.