Page 185 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

He chose the dark blue Lamborghini from the garage.

By the time he stepped into the company building, heads turned.

“Morning, sir.”

“Hello, Mr. Jones.”

“Good morning.” He acknowledged everyone on his way in, offering brief nods as he passed.

One meeting bled into the next. When he finally took a break, he stepped out to the café nearby, arriving first. He checked his watch. Right on time.

The moment he saw him walk in, he rose. “Dominic.”

“Hey, Nick.” The man smiled.

Up close, Dominic’s dark brown hair and blue eyes stood out. Just as sharply dressed as Nick, just as put together, but seven years older, thirty-five.

They sat across from each other.

Dominic studied him for a moment. “Six months in… the board still breathing down your neck?”

Nick’s lips curved. “They’ll adjust.”

Dominic let out a quiet huff. “They should’ve by now. You were already doing the job before you had the title.” He leaned back slightly. “After that deal you pulled off last year? I’m surprised they even hesitated.”

Nick didn’t react much, just glanced down at the table.

“They trusted you enough to clean up their mess,” Dominic went on. “It’s not like you came out of nowhere.”

A waiter stepped up to their table. They placed their orders, and he moved on.

Nick lifted his gaze. “What about you? How’s business?”

“You know how it is,” Dominic said. “The music industry hits a wall, then you go hunting for something new.”

Nick nodded. “Found anything?”

“A girl. Jessica. Good presence, looks the part. Needs work, but there’s something there. I’ll test her in the studio.”

“Nice.”

Dominic leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “I’m also looking for a composer. Yaroslav’s contract ended, and he went back to Russia. Finding a good one is a nightmare.”

“My brother writes music.”

Dominic’s arms fell open. “Wait… Mano?”

Nick gave a small nod. “He’s in Athens, studying music. He plays five instruments. Writes, too.”

“No way,” Dominic said, leaning forward. “Send me something.”

Nick’s gaze dropped to the table. “I don’t have anything.”

“What do you mean? Just ask him.”

Nick let out a quiet breath. “That’s not happening.”

Dominic frowned. “Why not?”