THE MAFIA KING BROKEN ROSE novel Chapter 14

Chapter 14

The following morning, I woke up to a soft knack on my door

“Breakfast is ready,” Rosa said when I opened it, her voice warm but colder than before.

She didn’t even look me in the eye. And just prepared clothes for me to wear.

After bathing and stuff, I followed her down the hall. The tension from last night still lingered, but the memory of my conversation with Nico had eased some of the weight in my chest.

It made me less grumpy and frustrated.

When we reached the dining room, the smell of fresh coffee and warm pastries filled my nostrils and my stomach instantly growled.

Dominic was already seated at the head of the toble, reading something on his phone. His presence, as usual, dominated the room.

I hesitated in the doorway before stepping inside. He didn’t look up, but I could feel the sharpness of his awareness.

“Good morning,” I muttered, sliding into a chair a few seats away from him.

“Is it?” Dominic asked without looking at me, his tone clipped.

Before I could respond, another voice broke the tension.

“Ah, breakfast with the queen herself, Nico said, strolling into the room like he owned the place.

I blinked in surprise as he plopped into the chair next to me, helping himself to a croissant from the tray in the center of the table

Dominic glanced up, his expression shifting ever so slightly. “Nico.”

“Dom,” Nico replied, his mouth full. “You always throw the best breakfasts. Where’s the champagne, though? What, no mimosas?”

Dominic sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, but there was a faint glint of amusement in his eyes.

It struck me how different Dominic seemed around Nico.

He wasn’t relaxed exactly, Dominic De Luca was never truly relaxed, but there was a hint of ease in his posture, a flicker of humor that I hadn’t seen before

e person? is he treating you like a

Nico leaned back in his chair, flashing me a grin. “So, Aria, how’s life as Dom’s new favorite princess yet?”

I snorted, picking at a piece of toast. “Not exactly.”

“Shocking,” Nico said with mock surprise, nudging me with his elbow. “He’s usually so charming.”

“Nico,” Dominic said, his tone a low warning.

“What?” Nico said innocently. “I’m just making conversation.”

“Make it somewhere else,” Dominic muttered, though his lips twitched like he was holding back a smile.

It was strange, seeing him like this–almost human. Around Nico, Dominic wasn’t the cold, calculating force I’d come to know. He was… lighter.

“So, Nico said, turning back to me, “did Dom tell you we go way back? Best friends since high school after I changed school though. New wealth and shit. We were an unstoppable duo.”

“Unstoppable” Dominic echoed dryly. “That’s one word for it.”

Nico ignored him, leaning closer to me. “You wouldn’t believe the stories I could tell you about this guy. Like the time he goi into a fistfight with the principal.”

Dominic shot him a look. “You started that fight”

“And you finished it, Nico said with a laugh, Teamwork, baby”

I couldn’t help but smile. Tm guessing you two were troublemakers.”

“Troublemakers?” Nico repeated, pretending to be offended. “I’ll have you know we were beloved by all. Right, Dom?” Dominic raised an eyebrow but didn’t argue.

“Nico dated the cheer captain and the male quarterback at the same time” Dominic said after a moment, his tone flat.

My eyebrows shot up. “Wait, what?”

“It wasn’t at the same time,” Nico protested, though the grin on his face said otherwise. “There was, like, a two week overlap.

Chapter 14

Dominic snorted, the sound startlingly close to a laugh. “You’re a mess.”

“And you love me for it.” Nico shot back, winking at me. “What can I say? High school was my golden era.”

I found myself laughing despite myself. “Sounds like you peaked early.”

“Ouch,” Nico said, clutching his chest dramatically. “You wound me, Aria.”

“She’s not wrong” Dominic said, smirking faintly

Nico pointed a finger at him. “Careful, Dom. You’re supposed to be on my side.”

“Not when you’re embarrassing yourself, Dominic replied, his tone lighter than usual.

It was strange, almost unsettling, to see them like this. Dominic wasn’t the cold, commanding man who controlled every room he walked into. Around Nico, he seemed… real.

“So, Aria,” Nico said, turning his attention back to me. “What about you? Were you a heartbreaker back in the day?”

I shook my head, my smile fading slightly. “Not exactly. My high school years were complicated.”

Nico tilted his head, his expression softening. “Complicated how?”

I hesitated, glancing at Dominic, but he didn’t seem particularly interested in the conversation. His attention was back on his phone.

“My dad was already having problems,” I said quietly, staring down at my plate. “Gambling, debts… it started when I was in high school. My mom was trying to keep it together, but it was hard. I spent most of my time working to help out.” Nico’s playful expression shifted, replaced by something more serious. “That’s a lot for a teenager to deal with,”

I shrugged, forcing a small smile. “It is what it is.”

“Still,” Nico said, his voice softer now. “That couldn’t have been easy.”

I shook my head, blinking back the sudden sting of tears. “It wasn’t. But you don’t get to pick your family, right?” Nico didn’t respond immediately, and wherrl looked up, his gaze was steady understanding.

“You’re tougher than you look,” he said finally, his tone gentle but firm.

“Yeah,” I muttered, wiping at my eyes. “I guess so.”

Nico reached across the table, sliding his handkerchief toward me.

I guess I would be having a stock filled with his handkerchief. “Here. It’s clean, I swear.”

I laughed weakly, taking it from him. Thanks.”

Dominic’s voice cut through the moment, sharp and commanding. “Nico.”

Nico raised an eyebrow, glancing at him. “What?”

“You have things to do,” Dominic said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Nico sighed dramatically standing up and stretching. “Fine, fine. I’ll leave you two lovebirds to it.”

“Nico,” Dominic growled, his eyes narrowing.

“Relax,” Nico said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. He turned to me, grinning. “See you later, Aria. Try not to let Dom scare you too much.”

I smiled faintly, clutching the handkerchief in my lap as he strolled out of the room.

The silence that followed was heavy, and I could feel Dominic’s gaze on me.

“What’s that?” he asked finally, his voice low.

I glanced down at the handkerchief in my hands, my fingers brushing over the embroidered initials in the comer.

“Nothing,” I said quickly, tucking it away

“It didn’t seem like nothing,” Dominic said, his tone sharper now, eyes narrowing as he leaned forward slightly “It’s just a handkerchief,” I replied, forcing my voice to stay steady.

Dominic’s jaw tightened, the faintest flicker of annoyance flashing across his face. He set his fork down with deliberate care, his eyes locking onto mine. “Why did you collect it? You could have asked me”

I swallowed, suddenly feeling like a child being scolded. “Because I needed it and he offered. You didn’t.”

His voice lowered, the edge in it unmistakable. “Hmm. Nico just doesn’t give handkerchief. You guys seemed close.”

I bit my lip, my heart racing. “1… we talked last night. That’s all”

“Talked,” Dominic echoed, his gaze piercing. “At what point during the night did you have a chance to talk with Nico? Considering your door was locked.”

I froze.

Dominic’s smirk was humorless as he leaned back in his chair his eyes cold. “Ah. So, you’re going to explain to me how you managed that, cara mia, or do I need to guess?”

I stayed silent, my hands gripping the edge of the table

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