Dominic sat frozen in his leather chair, his eyes glued to the black-and-white camera monitor. The silence of his study was deafening.

The morning sun broke over the snow-covered estate, casting bright rays through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the dining hall.

Dominic sat at the head of the long marble table, dressed in a three-piece charcoal suit. Across from him sat Vincent Hale, eating breakfast as if he hadn't spent the previous night wishing death upon his boss's family.

"The shipment from the docks arrives at midnight, Don Dominic," Vincent said, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "I've assigned ten of our best guys to escort the trucks to the south warehouse."

"Good work, Vincent," Dominic said smoothly, taking a sip of black coffee. "And Blackwood? Any word on his movements?"

"He's quiet," Vincent lied seamlessly. "My sources say he's hiding out in Indiana. He knows you're looking for him."

"Let him hide," Dominic replied, setting his cup down. "He can't hide forever."

At that moment, Evelyn entered the dining room carrying a silver tray with fresh orange juice. She wore her gray maid uniform, her posture hunched slightly to play the part of the modest servant.

Vincent glanced at her with disgust. "Hey! Watch where you're spilling that, girl. You're dripping on my shoes."

Evelyn stopped, bowing her head. "I'm sorry, Mr. Hale. I'll clean it immediately."

"Get out of here," Vincent barked waved his hand dismissively. "Dominic, where do you find these useless women? She looks like she eats half the kitchen inventory every night."

Dominic’s jaw tightened. The silverware in his hand bent slightly under his grip.

"She is efficient enough, Vincent," Dominic said, his voice dropping an octave, carrying an icy threat that made Vincent pause. "And I suggest you mind how you speak to the staff in my house."

Vincent chuckled nervously, sensing the sudden shift in the air. "Sure, boss. Just making a joke."

Evelyn set the tray on the side table and stepped back, catching Dominic’s eye for a split second. A faint, knowing smirk touched her lips. She wasn't offended by Vincent’s insults; she knew that every word Vincent spoke was digging his own grave deeper.

When Vincent finished his breakfast and left the dining hall to "prepare for the delivery," Dominic stood up immediately.

He walked over to Evelyn, grabbing her hand and pulling her into his private study, locking the door behind them.

"I am going to tear his tongue out," Dominic growled, pacing the room like a caged tiger. "The way he talks to you—"

"Dominic, stop," Evelyn said, stepping into his path and putting her hands on his chest. "It doesn't matter. Let him think I'm just a chubby, useless maid. It makes him sloppy. It makes him ignore me."

Dominic stopped pacing. He looked down at her hands on his chest, then up at her face.

"It matters to me," Dominic said, his voice surprisingly gentle. He reached up, his thumb softly tracing the curve of her cheek. "You are beautiful, Evelyn. Inside and out. Don't ever let trash like Vincent make you feel otherwise."

Evelyn’s breath hitched. Her cheeks flushed a deep, warm crimson. No one had ever spoken to her like that—not her ex-fiancé who had abandoned her when she lost her nursing job, not the doctors who had looked down on her, no one.

"We have a job to do," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly under his intense gaze.

"Yes," Dominic agreed, his hand lingering on her cheek for another second before stepping back. "Gideon Marsh—my head of personal security, the only man I trust besides my brother—is bringing a tactical team to the Red Velvet Lounge tonight."

"And what about me?" Evelyn asked.

"You stay here with Mateo under heavy guard," Dominic ordered.

"No," Evelyn stated firmly.

Dominic frowned. "What do you mean, no?"

"Vincent knows I clean Mateo’s room," Evelyn explained quickly. "If I'm not here tonight, he might get suspicious. But more importantly, the safe in his office—what kind of lock does it have?"

Dominic hesitated. "It's a Medeco dual-keyway with a digital keypad."

"I know that lock," Evelyn said, her eyes flashing with intelligence. "St. Catherine's used the exact same safe model for narcotics storage. I know how to bypass the secondary delay circuit using a basic jumper wire. If your squad tries to blow it, the silent alarm will notify Blackwood before you read the ledgers."

Dominic stared at her in shock. "You know how to bypass a narcotics safe?"