Elena stood behind the counter, fingers trembling slightly as she tried to align the stack of napkins for the third time. The buzz of the espresso machine, the soft clinks of mugs being set down, the rustle of newspapers—it all blurred around her. Because Dominic Moretti was here. Again.

  He didn’t even need to order. As if by silent command, Ana—her co-worker—had already started making his drink the second he walked in. And Elena? She was left standing like a statue, trying to pretend his eyes weren’t on her.

  “Good morning, Elena,” Dominic said smoothly, his voice like polished velvet layered over steel.

  She lifted her gaze, forcing a smile. “Good morning.”

  He always said her name like it meant something more, like a promise or a warning. It made her stomach flutter in the most inconvenient way.

  Dominic accepted the coffee from Ana with a courteous nod but didn’t walk away. No, he leaned against the counter—tall, sharp-suited, and utterly relaxed in a way that made her nervous. There was nothing casual about Dominic. Every move, every glance, was calculated. Controlled.

  “How was your night?” he asked, tilting his head.

  “Fine,” Elena replied. “Quiet.”

  “Quiet can be good,” he said, his eyes scanning her face. “Though sometimes, silence hides things.”

  That made her pause. Was that a comment about her? About the way she tried not to say too much around him?

  “I guess I just like peace,” she said carefully.

  “Peace is rare,” he murmured, more to himself than to her. “Especially in this city.”

  A strange chill moved through her. Dominic’s words were never just words. They lingered like smoke in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  Someone behind him cleared their throat. Dominic stepped aside just enough to let the next customer pass, but his eyes never left her.

  “You know,” he said quietly, “this place could use more security.”

  Elena blinked. “Security?”

  He nodded slowly. “A girl like you shouldn’t be the last one locking up at night. Not in this neighborhood.”

  “I—I’m fine. Really. The owner installed cameras. We’re good.”

  Dominic smiled, but there was something behind it. Something far from friendly. “Cameras don’t stop intentions.”

  She didn’t know what to say to that. There was something deeply protective—almost possessive—beneath his tone. And it both unsettled and... warmed her.

  “You don’t have to worry about me,” she said, trying to regain control of her breathing.

  He leaned in slightly, his voice lowering just enough to wrap around her like silk. “But I do.”

  The words stopped her cold.

  Why?

  They barely knew each other. He was a customer—granted, one who had taken an odd interest in her—but still. This didn’t make sense. She wasn’t used to being noticed like this, much less by someone like him.

  “Is there a reason you come here every day?” she blurted out before she could stop herself.

  Dominic’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “The coffee’s good.”

  She raised an eyebrow.

  His smile widened. “And I like the view.”

  Her cheeks flushed, but before she could respond, someone shouted from the back of the café, breaking the moment.

  “Elena! Delivery guy’s here!”

  She stepped away instinctively, but Dominic caught her wrist—not roughly, just enough to make her pause. His hand was warm, large, steady. She looked down at it, then up at him.

  “I’m not trying to scare you,” he said softly, all trace of playfulness gone. “But you should know something.”

  Her throat felt dry. “What?”

  “I’m not the kind of man who does things halfway. If I protect something…” His eyes darkened. “I protect it all the way.”

  She didn’t have an answer to that. Only the rapid beat of her heart and the confused mess of thoughts tangling in her chest. Why did those words feel like both a promise and a threat?

  Dominic released her gently and stepped back.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow, Elena.”

  And just like that, he was gone, his presence still heavy in the air long after the door closed behind him.

  ---

  That night, Elena closed up the café alone. She double-checked the lock, peeked out the window, and felt a whisper of anxiety crawl up her spine. She wasn’t easily shaken, but tonight… she couldn’t stop thinking about Dominic’s words.

  If I protect something, I protect it all the way.

  What did that mean, exactly? Was she something to protect now? Or was she just another face he’d grow bored of?

  But deep down, she already knew the answer. Dominic didn’t strike her as the type to lose interest easily. He was deliberate. Purposeful. And now, for some reason, his focus was on her.

  She walked home with her keys between her fingers, heart racing at every shadow. But when she reached her apartment, there was no danger. Just quiet.

  Still, she double-locked the door and checked the windows.

  Later, as she curled up in bed, her phone buzzed. Unknown number.

  “Get some rest, Elena. I’ll make sure you’re safe.”

  Her breath caught. No name. No signature. But she knew who it was.

  Dominic.

  She stared at the message for a long time before turning off the screen, pressing the phone to her chest, and wondering what, exactly, she’d just stepped into.

  Because if Dominic Moretti was serious…

  Then this was no ordinary flirtation.

  This was the beginning of something far more dangerous.