His Merciless Redemption novel Chapter 96

Chapter 96

Isabella’s POV

Dominic’s hand was on my thigh before we’d even cleared the gates.

“Eyes on the road,” I murmured, even though we were sitting on the back seat and he wasn’t even driving. I didn’t move away from his touch either, leaning towards him instead.

He huffed a quiet laugh, fingers tightening slightly. “You’re doing this on purpose.”

I glanced at him. “Doing what?”

“Wearing that,” he said, eyes not once moving away from me, expression hungry, like he wanted to devour me whole right there on the back seat of the car. It made heat pool low in my belly. “And then looking innocent about it.”.

I smoothened my palm over the fabric of the dress he’d chosen, black, sleek, and unapologetic. It fit like a second skin, accentuating my figure in a way that made me feel bolder, more confident. I admitted quietly to myself that yes, I did look hot. And I was glad Dominic thought so, too.

“You’re the one who picked it,” I said lightly even though his attention and words were making me feel all hot and bothered inside.

“And now I regret letting you leave the house in it.”

arched a brow, chuckling lightly. “Too late for that now.”

His thumb traced a slow, dangerous line along my exposed thigh. “You look lethal, the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen.”

Heat shot to my core as his fingers continued moving upwards. “Focus,” I said softly, my voice a little breathy. “You’re about to negotiate millions.”

“I am focused,” he replied. “On how many men are going to forget how to breathe when you walk in.”

I caught his wrist and moved his hand away reluctantly, more for my benefit than his. Because if he kept tracing lines along my thigh like that, I didn’t know how much longer I’d be able to control myself before letting him have his way with me right there. “Behave,” I said to him.

He smiled, sharp and knowing. “I always do.”

Thankfully, the car rolled to a stop outside the club just then.

Dominic stepped out first, then offered me his hand. I took it, acutely aware of the way eyes followed us inside. Dominic was to my left and Eduardo stood to my right with a bunch of men behind us.

Okay, show time, I thought to myself, making sure to hold my head high, confidence in my stride as our small entourage walked in. Inside, the club was already alive with low music thrumming through the walls, amber lights casting everything in a decadent glow.

The men from France were waiting in a private lounge at the back.

Three of them.

The first stood as we entered. He was a broad man with silver at his temples, dressed impeccably, smile loud and easy.

“Dominic Russo!” he boomed, arms wide. “Florence suits you.”

Dominic clasped his hand firmly. “Luc Moreau, bold as ever.”

me, he asked, “And this is?”

Dominic looked at me. “This is Isabella. My date for the night,” he said, introducing us.

Luc stared at me, his gaze not leering, but assessing. Sharp. “A pleasure.”

“The pleasure is mutual,” I said smoothly.

The second man inclined his head, a quiet presence, his dark eyes observant. “Étienne,” he said simply.

The third didn’t bother standing. He was younger with what looked like a crass confidence, and a grin that lingered too long.

“Didn’t know this was a social call,” he said. “You bring all your business partners dressed like that?”

Dominic’s jaw tightened imperceptibly.

Luc clapped his hands. “Ah, Nico. New blood. Still learning manners.”

I smiled faintly. “It’s a learning process.”

Nico snorted. “I like her.”

Luc shot him a look. “Enough. Sit.”

We did:

Drinks arrived. Conversation flowed. They talked about numbers, routes, percentages, moving millions of dollars around like it was nothing. Luc was loud, jovial, commanding the room with ease. Étienne spoke rarely, but when he did, it mattered. Nico interrupted often, throwing barbed comments Dominic deflected with icy restraint.

At one point, Nico leaned back and said, “You Italians love control. Always gripping too tight.”

Dominic’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “We grip what’s ours.”

I caught Luc’s eye and smiled. He laughed, redirecting the conversation before it could fracture.

Hours passed. At some point, Luc declared, “Poker. Let’s see how you all lie.”

Cards were dealt.

I leaned back, quiet, watching.

Luc played loud with big bets, and theatrical bluffs. Étienne was precise/his tells minimal. Nico overplayed confidence, his fingers twitching when he was unsure. His frustration with his hand was so obvious that even a complete noob like me knew that he hadn’t been dealt a good hand. Eduardo was quiet, too, observing everything with a keen eye.

Dominic, however, was still, almost too still. His tells were a lot more difficult to notice, but I still did.

I watched his breathing, the way his jaw set when he had nothing/ how his gaze softened when he held strength. He was quietly reading them all while pretending not to care.

The final hand came down to him and Luc.

Luc grinned. “All in.”

Dominic matched him without hesitation.

Luc flipped his cards.

Dominic laid his down calmly.

Silence.

Then curses.

Luc barked a laugh. “Well played.”

a

Dominic had won.

Business resumed after that, figures climbing, terms tightening, until they finally came to an agreement.

Dominic leaned close. “Go wait by the bar with Eduardo. I’ll go complete a few formalities upstairs and see you in a minute.”

I nodded and stood, walking out behind Eduardo, thinking that this was exactly the opportunity I’d been waiting for. Now that I finally had some alone time with him, I could inquire about the night Alessia claimed to have spent with Dominic.

But much to my dismay, Nico and Étienne followed me outside, too while Dominic and Luc left to go upstairs.

n we moved to the bar, it was quieter than the lounge with low lights, and muted music, the kind of place meant to give llusion of privacy.

Tiring today, wasn’t it?” Eduardo said, cracking his neck as we all took a seat at the bar.

“Definitely,” Etienne replied, his gaze straying to the line of women walking upstairs. He nodded at them. “Looks like there’s a new selection tonight.”

Eduardo raised a brow, his gaze following Étienne’s. “Wanna go check it out?”

Étienne nodded and Eduardo turn said.

I looked at Nico who nodded, watchin

1. “You don’t mind if I go for a bit? Nico can keep you company till I return,” he

“And the

ink from himself and then back at Eduardo. I didn’t really want to spoil his fun, so I Etienne left.

Nico’s voice from behind me.

er sly expression on his face.

w that the night was going to take a turn for the worse soon.

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