Prologue
Dominic Reed’s childhood was a happy one. He attended a private school, where he received an excellent education. He grew up in a nice suburban neighborhood. The kind you could find in the movies. With cookie-cutter houses, kids riding bikes, and people walking dogs. He was an only child but had very loving parents who made sure he always had everything he needed.
Dominic never had any complaints about his upbringing. Yet, something always seemed off. He felt like he wasn’t where he was supposed to be. He was never really sure why, because he loved his family and his life.
It wasn’t until his eighteenth birthday that he finally found the answer to the question he’d been asking himself his whole life. What is missing?
Dominic wasn’t sure why his mother decided to tell him the truth after all these years, but he’ll never forget it.
“Hi, honey. How was school?” Dominic’s mother poked her head out of the kitchen.
Elizabeth Reed was a very attractive lady. Though years of stress had taken a toll on her mentally and physically. The gray in her hair was more prominent now. The wrinkles around her eyes and mouth were much more noticeable. She probably could have passed it off as laugh lines, but the tiredness in her eyes made that hard to believe.
Dominic tossed his backpack on the floor and hung his coat on the hook. “It was fine. I just can’t wait to be done with these exams!”
She smiled, “I know. Just a few more days. Is Maya coming over tonight?”
Maya was Dominic’s girlfriend. They had been together since sophomore year. It was a typical high school romance. He could see himself marrying her. He knew how unrealistic that was, though. They were going to different colleges in the fall. It wasn’t that he had any doubts about their relationship. He knew they’d make it work. That didn’t seem fair to either of them. So, he’d been trying to decide what to do for the past few months.
“Yes, but not until later. She has some studying to do,” he answered as he made his way to the living room.
Elizabeth walked out of the kitchen, wiping her hands with a towel. “Great. Your dad and I need to discuss something with you.”
Brooks Reed wasn’t Dominic’s biological father. After he married Elizabeth, Brooks adopted Dominic. Since his father had died before he was born, Dominic always saw Brooks as his real father.
Brooks walked in through the patio door, “Hey, Dom. How was school?”
Dominic just laughed. Both of his parents asked him the same question every single day. It didn’t matter that they knew the other was going to ask.
“Just dealing with exams,” he gave his father a shorter answer.
Brooks wasn’t much of a talker. Short, sweet, and to the point. That’s what he always said.
“Mom said you wanted to talk?”
Brooks gave Elizabeth a shocked look. “Lizzy, do you think that’s the best idea?”
The way Brooks spoke made Dominic extremely nervous. What could be so important that his father was questioning having this discussion? Was someone sick? Were his parents having money problems?
She nodded. “I think it’s time. I’m surprised it hasn’t come out already. I’d rather stay ahead of it if it does.”
Dominic cleared his throat. “What exactly is going on?”
Elizabeth gave him a sad look. “Should we take a seat?”
“No,” he responded before she even finished the question.
Brooks stood with his arms crossed. He was there to be by Elizabeth’s side, but clearly did not approve of the conversation that was about to happen.
“Okay. I’m not sure how to start.”
Dominic was starting to become uneasy at his mother’s nervousness.
“I lied when I told you that your father died before you were born.”
Brooks shook his head and took a seat. If he had it his way, Dominic would never find out who his biological father was. Or who his mother really was, for that matter.
“So, he’s not dead?”
Elizabeth shook her head. That’s when Dominic decided maybe it was a good idea to take a seat.
What the fuck? He was eighteen years old, and his father had been alive this whole time!
“Does he know about me?”
Elizabeth just nodded.
“Mom! You’ve got to give me something. So, what, he didn’t want me?”
“It’s a little more complicated than that.”
“Well, uncomplicate it!”
“Dominic!” Brooks stepped in at the tone in his son’s voice.
Dominic leaned back in the chair and crossed his arms.
“The man who got me pregnant was married, still is. We had an affair. I’m not proud of it, but it happened.”
Dominic sat quietly, waiting for more. Having an affair, while unethical, wasn’t unheard of. Plus, that was so long ago. There had to be more.
“Anyway, when he found out I was pregnant, he was not happy. That’s putting it lightly. I knew my only option was to go to the police, ask for help, and hopefully disappear.”
Dominic’s eyebrows scrunched together. “Well, that seems a bit drastic.”
“Liz, just tell him,” Brooks was sick of this beating around-the-bush shit. It didn’t matter what happened. What matters is how he’s going to react.
“Your father is Sergio Stoll,” Elizabeth just blurted it out.
Dominic laughed as he stood. “You had me going there for a minute.”
What an odd thing to joke about, he questioned to himself.
When he realized neither of them were laughing with him, he stopped. The tears in his mother’s eyes caused him to sit back down. “You’re serious?”
She nodded, staring at her hands in her lap.
“That’s why you went to the police,” Dominic whispered out loud.
Elizabeth and Brooks let him think for a minute.
She must have given them information for protection. No wonder she wanted to disappear. Betraying a crime boss was a death sentence.
“Wait,” he shook his head, “How did you even meet Sergio Stoll?”
The way his mother glanced at Brooks told Dominic he wasn’t going to like this answer either.
“My maiden name isn’t Robertson. It’s Romero.”
Dominic’s face fell as he stood up. “As in, Alfonzo Romero.”
Elizabeth nodded. “He was my brother.”
This time, when Dominic laughed, it wasn’t humorous. It was grim and sarcastic. “This is so fucked up.”
“Language!” Brooks stood up.
“Fuck my language!” Dominic countered back. “Do you both understand how crazy this sounds?!”
When neither responded, Dominic began walking toward the front door. Brooks was about to go after him, but Elizabeth put her hand on his chest, stopping him.
“Dominic? Please.”
Completely ignoring her, he grabbed his car keys.
He just needed time; she told herself. She knew he’d have questions, and she’d be there when he was ready.
Dominic didn’t even look back before slamming the door behind him.
That was almost ten years ago. Now Dominic was sitting in his car, staring at the Stoll mansion from a distance. Like he’d done many times throughout the last ten years. His mother told him to stay away. She was worried about his safety. He rolled his eyes at the thought. It was almost insulting.
Thanks to his wife, Maya, he was able to embrace who he really was. As soon as he told her, she helped him see what he really deserved. Everything.
A wicked grin spread across his face. If no one else knew who he was, they were going to find out soon. He had been waiting for the perfect time to come out of the shadows. That time would be very soon. He was going to rule this city with his wife by his side.
