My Second Marriage with the Mafia Kingpin-Chapter 25: Respectfully Decline

A private restaurant was closed for the night due to other clients, as the entire place had been reserved for a meeting.

Men of Dominion, wearing their sleek suits and ties, guarded the place. Some were even stationed on the surrounding buildings, just in case. It was the normal level of security Lucian required, especially for a meeting such as this one.

Who knew? 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Someone had probably heard about the meeting and might try to ruin it. Hence, the tight security.

Lucian, who was inside the restaurant, sat quietly.

Aside from the staff, he was alone. The table before him only had a centerpiece and an untouched glass of water.

"Sir," Gustav approached from the side, looking a little worried. "Mr. Tomas is already an hour late. Should I send some people to check if something happened?"

Deep down, Gustav wanted to say that Tomas—the person Lucian was waiting for—might be planning to ditch him. Dominion had prepared for that possibility, especially after discovering that the intel they received had been intentionally made available as a distraction for anyone trying to dig information about the man.

So not all the information they had was true.

"I’ll wait," said Lucian under his breath. "He’s not one to go back on his word."

Gustav studied his boss’s side profile and nodded in understanding. At that moment, another guard approached Gustav and informed him that someone had just pulled up at the entrance.

"Sir, it seems Mr. Tomas has arrived," he said, only for Lucian to wave them off.

Having said that, the guard returned to his post while Gustav approached the entrance. As he opened the door, a slightly older man with a slim figure and tall stature stepped inside.

It was Tommy—the same man Ashley had lunch with earlier that day.

Gustav briefly studied the man before lowering his head as Tommy approached, where Lucian was seated. As the man walked past him, Gustav couldn’t help but glance back, still unsure if this was truly the right person.

"Lucian De Luca?"

Lucian glanced at the person standing near his table before rising to his feet. "Mr. Tomas."

Both men held each other’s gazes as if sizing one another up. Then Tomas dragged a chair and sat down. Only then did Lucian take his seat again.

Everyone present studied their table, wondering if this was truly the man.

"He doesn’t look anything like the photo," one of the guards whispered to another. "But then again, the picture isn’t really him."

What they were certain of was the man’s name and the things he had done and achieved. Aside from that, they knew nothing about him.

As for Lucian, he was certain the person across from him was the real deal. His gut told him.

"What a fancy place." Tommy looked around the restaurant and chuckled. When his eyes landed on Lucian, he offered the man a practiced smile. "I’m impressed."

Lucian didn’t smile, maintaining his usual front. "I’ve asked the chefs to prepare some dishes you might like."

But as soon as he said that, Tommy shook his head.

"There’s no need for that," he said. "I don’t plan to stay long. Besides, I have other dinner arrangements tonight."

Tommy looked Lucian right in the eye, his expression growing cold and firm.

"I apologize, Mr. De Luca, but it seems my agreement has given you a different impression. However, since we’re already here, allow me to respectfully decline your offer."

"If I were still part of the underground, what you’re offering is something I would never pass up. However, I’ve already put that life behind me," Tommy continued without pause. "I agreed to meet you simply because it’s the Don of Dominion who showed interest in someone like me. I thought it would be best if I told you this personally."

Tommy pushed himself up, gazing down at Lucian.

"Though I wish Dominion the best of luck. I apologize, but I think you’ve approached the wrong person."

They weren’t shouting, but since only the two of them were speaking in this empty restaurant, those standing on standby heard everything loud and clear. Their brows knitted together, while some glanced at their colleagues as if that would somehow change the situation.

They had prepared this much, only to be told that Tommy had agreed to meet simply to decline the offer in person?

Lucian didn’t say a word, remaining in his seat without much reaction. Then he rose to his feet and faced Tommy squarely.

Everyone—especially the men of Dominion—looked at their boss with slight fear. Even Gustav was ready for Lucian’s orders, whether it was forcing Tommy to stay or something worse.

Much to their surprise, it wasn’t like that at all.

"Is that so?" Lucian kept his answer short. "I understand."

Even Tommy seemed caught off guard by his response. But then he smiled subtly, pleased that the Don of Dominion was not like the men he had known in the past.

"Thank you," Tommy nodded. "Then I’ll take my leave."

With that, Tommy turned to go when Lucian spoke again.

"However, please accept this."

Tommy looked back, only to see Lucian picking something up from the chair beside him.

It was a small box, neatly wrapped and tied with a pink ribbon.

The moment the guards—and even Gustav, who was closest—saw it, their faces twitched.

The deal had already fallen through.

Why would Lucian give the present Ashley had prepared?

Who knew what kind of nonsense she might have put in there?

"It’s from my wife," Lucian said as he handed the box to Tommy. "I understand if you’re not interested in my proposal. However, please accept this gift from her."

Tommy furrowed his brows, studying the sincerity in Lucian’s eyes. A shallow chuckle escaped him as he accepted the box, carefully weighing it in his hand.

"I hope you don’t mind if I open it," he said as he began pulling the ribbon loose. "It may be from your wife, but I also have to think about my safety."

This could be a bomb or a tracker, and Tommy wasn’t about to lead Dominion to his wife.

Lucian nodded, staring at the present Ashley had prepared for Tommy. Even he didn’t know what it was, so he was curious as well.

As for the men, they couldn’t help stretching their necks out of pure curiosity. Gustav was no exception, finding himself leaning slightly forward to get a better look.

For a brief second, everyone’s focus was on the box in Tommy’s hands.

Then he lifted the lid.

"Hmm?" Tommy furrowed his brows as soon as he saw the contents. "Soil?"

"Soil?" Some of the guards’ faces twitched while others ground their teeth.

For a full minute, the already quiet restaurant fell into pin-drop silence.

Because inside that beautifully wrapped box... was simply soil.