UNDER HIS JURISDICTION

CHAPTER 1:The Return

"Breaking news today as we witness the official release of Dominic, the renowned young billionaire actor and businessman..."

The television screen glowed brightly in the dimly lit living room.

"...Dominic was arrested last year under heavy suspicion of being tied to an underground mafia syndicate. While claims of murder, intense physical assault, and racketeering swirled around the young mogul, prosecutors failed to produce concrete evidence. Ultimately, he was only charged with a one-year imprisonment and a hefty fine."

Outside the prison gates, the scene was absolute chaos. Thousands of fans and reporters barricaded the streets.

"As you can see, thousands of his supporters and dedicated fans have gathered here today to celebrate his freedom!" The reporter shouted over the deafening roars of the crowd, shoving a microphone toward a crying young woman. "Let's speak to some of the supporters."

"Oh my lord, I am just so obsessed with Dominic!" the woman shrieked, clutching her face. "This entire year of not being able to see him on my screen was pure agony!"

Another fan pushed forward, holding up a massive banner. "I literally abandoned my Christmas Eve preparations! After all, it's just a day away, but I had to come here. Even if he's accused of being a mafia boss, I don't care. He is just too hot!"

The camera panned out, but inside the quiet house, Alec sat frozen on the couch.

The living room was completely surrounded by festive Christmas decorations, the colorful fairy lights casting long shadows against the walls. On his lap, his five-year-old daughter lay fast asleep, breathing softly.

Alec stared at the screen, a bitter, cold feeling settling deep in his chest. Why do you choose to accept a criminal just because he is good-looking? He thought, his jaw tightening. They had no idea what kind of monster they were cheering for.

Back on the TV screen, the heavy prison doors swung open.

Dominic marched out. He wasn't wearing a uniform; he wore a flawlessly tailored, pristine clean suit that screamed wealth and power. Thousands of cameras flashed at once, creating a blinding strobing effect on the screen. Adoring fans screamed so loudly the microphone audio began to crack.

"God, I actually wanted to see him in the orange jumpsuit, he would have looked so hot!" a fan screamed in the background. "But he still looks amazing!"

A reporter broke past the security line, desperately trying to get a word before the billionaire departed in his luxury vehicle.

"Sir! Dominic! What are your remarks about forcefully kissing Detective Alec in the courtroom before being dragged to jail?"

Dominic paused right before the open car door.

Slowly, he turned his head. His icy, piercing gaze locked directly onto the camera lens—looking through the screen, through the miles of distance, and straight into Alec’s living room.

He gave a slight, indifferent shrug. Then, a dark, terrifying smirk played on his lips.

"Hmm... Just..." Dominic’s voice was smooth, dark, and chillingly deliberate. "I'm in love."

Click.

The television was suddenly switched off, plunging the room into abrupt silence.

A sharp spark of terror flared in Alec's eyes. His breath hitched, his lips trembling as the memory of that forced courtroom kiss flashed in his mind. He could still feel the phantom pressure of Dominic's lips and the chilling promise behind them.

But looking down at the innocent face of his sleeping daughter, the panic was quickly concealed.

He forced his shaking hands to steady. Carefully, he scooped his daughter up into his arms, holding her tightly against his chest as he carried her down the dark hallway to bed. With Christmas Eve arriving tomorrow, Alec knew their peaceful sanctuary had just been shattered.

The next morning..

The house was complete and utter chaos.

"It's going to be Christmas Eve! It's almost Christmas Eve!"

Alec's five-year-old daughter squealed, her tiny boots stomping loudly against the hardwood floor. She sprinted in circles through the living room, waving a tangled strand of tinsel like a ribbon. She was loudly belt-singing a Christmas hymn completely off-key, her face flushed with pure holiday excitement.

"Sweetheart, wait! Stop running for just one second," Alec pleaded, breathing heavily as he chased after the little whirlwind.

He held a pair of thick wool mittens in one hand and a hairbrush in the other. He lunged, catching her by the waist. Her small body squirmed, laughing maniacally as the cold air from the hallway brushed against them. Alec desperately tried to smooth down her chaotic bedhead and slide the mittens onto her tiny, wriggling hands before they had to head out the door.

Buzz! Buzz!

The sudden, harsh vibration of his phone cut through the laughter. Alec froze. His heart slammed violently against his ribs. He dragged the phone out of his pocket, his thumb trembling as he swiped to answer.

"Alec," he barked, his voice tight.

"Detective Alec, sorry to disturb you on your vacation," the frantic voice of his colleague from the precinct crackled through the speaker. "But we had to call. We just got solid intelligence. Dominic has been actively trying to track you down since the second he stepped out of those gates. We need to know right now—do you require force protection?"

Alec’s breath hitched. A cold, heavy weight dropped into his stomach.

He's already moving.

"No," Alec snapped, his voice dropping to a harsh, fierce whisper so his daughter wouldn't hear. "End the call immediately."

"Wait, Detective—"

"I said hang up!" Alec ordered, slamming his thumb down to kill the connection.

His hand was shaking so badly he almost dropped the device. He stared at the dark screen, his mind racing, trying to force his panicked breathing to slow down. For Dominic to let the fact that he's looking for me slip to the force... he has something up his sleeves. Alec gripped the phone tightly, a desperate sense of defiance flaring in his chest. Or maybe... maybe the bastard just can't find me.

He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to force himself to believe his own reassurance.

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Meanwhile, across the city, the atmosphere was dead silent and suffocating.

In a dark, shadow-drenched room, the air was icy cold. The only light came from the glowing blue monitors of a high-tech tracking station. A cyber-specialist sat at the desk, his fingers flying across the keyboard, sweat dripping down his neck.

Standing directly behind him in the shadows was the towering silhouette of a man. The oppressive, terrifying aura radiating from him made it hard for the specialist to even breathe.

"S-sorry, sir..." the specialist stammered, his voice cracking with sheer terror. He stared at the screen where the signal trace had just died. "The call wasn't long enough. He hung up too fast to track his exact location."

Out from the darkness, Dominic stepped into the dim light.

He didn't look angry. Instead, a dark, breathless smile spread across his lips, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous, obsessive hunger.

"Aww..." Dominic murmured, a low, rumbling chuckle vibrating in his chest.

He tilted his head, completely captivated by the challenge. The thought of Alec running, struggling, and hiding only made the blood rush faster through his veins.

"We are so in love," Dominic whispered into the empty room, his hand tracing the edge of the cold monitor. "He knows me so well."

Dominic’s gaze darkened, his smile turning razor-sharp, filled with an unyielding promise of possession.

"I have to find him before Christmas Eve... so he doesn't spend it alone."