Chapter 4 - The Cobra’s Instinct
Dominic Moretti was an arrogant man, but he was far from stupid. By the fourth week, he began to sense subtle, disturbing changes in the estate’s atmosphere. Adrian’s hands had stopped trembling during morning coffee. The dark hollows beneath his eyes were fading. More alarming still, during a finance meeting regarding a maritime merger, Adrian had casually corrected Dominic on a complex tax loophole with razor-sharp precision.
Late one night, Dominic stood in the dimly lit library, swirling a glass of scotch in his hand. His mind churned with anxiety. How is he recovering? Vance said the neurotoxin damage was permanent and cumulative.
Pacing down the stone corridor toward the kitchen to inspect the tea stock, Dominic caught sight of Elena stepping out of the pantry, carrying a tray of warm milk and honey for Lily.
Dominic stepped directly into her path, blocking the narrow hallway. He leaned down, a smooth, predatory smile covering his face, though his eyes remained ice-cold.
“Elena, my dear,” Dominic purred, reaching out to touch the tray. “You’ve been spending an awful lot of time near my brother’s private chambers lately.”
Elena pulled the tray back against her chest, her heart hammering against her ribs. “I am simply fulfilling my domestic duties, Mr. Dominic.”
“Is that so?” Dominic reached out and trapped a strand of her dark hair between his fingers, tugging slightly. Elena flinched, stepping back against the wall. “You know, when my dear brother finally succumbs to his tragic illness... I will be the one running this family. It would be wise for you to remember who holds the key to your future. Has Adrian said anything to you? Has he been meeting people behind my back?”
“He... he doesn't speak to me about business, sir,” Elena lied, her voice trembling slightly.
Dominic’s smile instantly evaporated. He stepped closer, gripping her upper arm with painful, bruising force. “Don't play dumb with me, girl. I notice everything. That little brat of yours was in his room the night his condition started changing—”
“Release her.”
The voice came from the shadows at the end of the hall. It was low, quiet, and carried a weight of pure, unadulterated lethality.
Dominic froze. He turned slowly to find Adrian standing in the doorway, clad in a tailored black suit. His arms were loosely at his sides, but his posture was that of an apex predator that had just caught a scavenger in its den.
Dominic immediately let go of Elena, raising his hands in a theatrical gesture of defense. “Adrian! I was just asking Elena about the household staff schedule. She seemed a bit flustered—”
“Elena, take Lily and go to your wing,” Adrian commanded, his eyes never leaving his brother’s face.
Elena didn't hesitate. She clutched the tray tightly, slipped past Dominic, and hurried up the grand staircase.
Once the sound of her footsteps faded into the distance, Adrian walked slowly down the hallway until he stood inches from Dominic. The raw physical dominance Adrian possessed—restored by weeks of uninterrupted sleep and absolute mental clarity—was suffocating.
“If you ever put your hands on her again, Dominic,” Adrian murmured softly, leaning in close, “I will personally break every bone in your fingers. Am I completely clear?”
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Dominic’s jaw clenched, a flash of bitter resentment darting through his eyes. “You’re losing your mind, brother. Becoming paranoid over a simple housekeeper? You’re acting erratic again. Perhaps you need more rest.”
“I have never been more awake in my entire life,” Adrian replied smoothly, brushing past him into the shadows. “Get out of my house.”
