Dominic’s POV
Gemma’s cold shoulder was driving to the edge of madness. The situation turned worse when my nephew Vincenzo called, demanding to know what the hell I had screwed up this ti. He had encountered her during a routine family business run downtown, and she flat out told him we were finished. Like hell we were. I refused to let it end like this, not when my entire world revolved around her.
The only silver lining was her new position within Caleb’s legitimate front operations. At least I could catch glimpses of her when I visited his corporate offices for family etings. Unfortunately, Caleb and Xavier were drowning in the sa relationship hell I was dealing with.
Then ca that disaster of a lunch when our won t up with so crew from a rival family’s associates. Thank God Gemma wasn’t there to witness the spectacle. Those bastards were shalessly flirting with our won, and the girls were playing right along, probably just to spite us.
Friday night, we arranged a eting at Xavier’s secured penthouse. I figured we could strategize our next moves while venting our frustrations. Since Gemma entered my life, no other woman existed for . She consud every waking thought, every plan, every breath. Now, thanks to one catastrophic misunderstanding orchestrated by my backstabbing father, I was living in pure tornt.
When I walked into Xavier’s place and saw Finn and Jude already nursing drinks, I couldn’t help but laugh at Jude’s murderous expression.
"Don’t tell you two got the boot as well?" I asked, finding dark humor in their miserable faces.
"We’re suffering because of you idiots," Finn shot back. "Zoe declared tonight was strictly girls’ night, no family business, no n allowed."
"Everything was running smoothly when I was the only one in a committed relationship," Jude grumbled. "Nora has never been this impossible before. This is all on you three for thinking with the wrong head during family operations."
"Jude, co on, it was just a massive setup by my father," I protested.
"Your family drama is costing us quality ti with our won," Finn snapped back, his frustration evident.
"What if we surprised them wherever they are?" Xavier suggested, like he had just solved world hunger.
"Brilliant plan, genius. You happen to know their location? Because Nora isn’t sharing intel," Jude’s irritation was reaching dangerous levels.
"Not exactly, but you could figure it out through your connections," Xavier gave Jude that devil’s grin of his.
"Absolutely not, Xavier. The last ti I used family resources to track her, it took considerable effort to get back in Nora’s good graces. That was exactly because you wanted to chase after her cousin during that Brooklyn territory dispute. I swore I wouldn’t use surveillance on her again unless soone was dying," Jude was getting heated.
"Hold up," Caleb interrupted. "What exactly are you talking about?"
"Jude can track Nora’s phone through his security network. He can locate all the girls," Xavier explained, and we all turned to stare at Jude.
"Jude, this is a legitimate security concern," I tried convincing him.
"Hell no, Dominic," he fired back.
"Maybe it’s not an ergency yet, but what if they’re with those associate crew again?" Finn comnted casually. "Those losers have been circling our won like vultures. We could just verify they’re safe, and if they’re alone, we head straight back here."
"Damn you, Finn. Now I’m actually worried about territorial complications," Jude growled. "Fine. Let’s see where these stubborn won ended up."
Jude pulled out his encrypted phone, accessed so security app, typed rapidly, and when he located Nora, he cursed under his breath.
"Nora is going to pay for this security breach," Jude muttered. "They’re at Silas’s uncle’s restaurant in Little Italy. I guarantee they’re not there alone."
We all moved simultaneously, taking separate armored vehicles. Halfway there, Jude sent a group ssage through our secure network. The won had relocated and were now at so underground establishnt downtown.
The place was absolutely packed when we arrived. We had to slip the doorman so serious cash and flash family credentials just to get inside. We watched from a strategic distance and saw the girls completely letting loose. Caleb decided to approach Ivy directly, while the rest of us chose the confrontational thod - march up there and extract them imdiately.
I was absolutely furious. My anger reached boiling point when Gemma claid she owed zero explanations for her whereabouts.
Things got explosive when they demanded to know how we had tracked them down. After a heated confrontation, they refused to leave with us. Perfect. At least Parker’s crew weren’t complete disrespectful and invited us to remain. But by closing ti, none of the girls wanted rides from any of us and called their own secure transportation ho.
Since we were already in relationship purgatory, the next day we encountered the girls at the Social Union, once again socializing with Parker’s little fan club. We all ended up back at Xavier’s penthouse playing so ridiculous blackjack ga where kisses were the stakes.
To make everything infinitely worse, that moron Hunter won a hand and kissed Gemma’s ear. My blood turned molten. I shot up from my chair and pulled Gemma against with barely controlled violence.
"Listen very carefully, Hunter. That’s the last ti you’ll ever put your hands on my woman. We’re leaving, Gemma. And don’t even consider arguing," I snarled and stord toward the exit, dragging her with .
"Have you completely lost your mind, Dominic?" Gemma demanded when I stopped to unlock the car.
"Yes, I’ve lost my mind. I’m insanely jealous and completely obsessed with you. For crying out loud, Gemma, you didn’t even give a chance to explain before you jumped to conclusions about that setup."
"Is there actually anything worth explaining?" Gemma crossed her arms defensively.
"Get in the car, Gemma. Let’s go sowhere private and discuss this properly. Beatrix ans absolutely nothing to , never has. I was involved with her occasionally, that’s it." I was attempting to explain myself to a woman for the first ti in my entire life, and I had no idea how to do it properly.
"Look, you already know how Yara Rossi stalks Caleb relentlessly despite his marriage. It’s the exact sa situation with Beatrix and , except I’ll be completely honest - I did have relations with Beatrix in the past, while Caleb never touched Yara."
I was rambling without pause while Gemma studied silently, her expression unreadable.
"I haven’t been with any woman since I t you in that shop. I swear on my family’s honor," I finished desperately.
Gemma uncrossed her arms and slid into the passenger seat without saying a word. When I walked around and got behind the wheel, she finally looked at and spoke.
"I really hope you don’t disappoint , Dominic. I hope I’m not making a huge mistake here."
"You’re not, my goddess." I lifted her hand and pressed my lips to her palm. "I want to take you ho with . Will you co?"
User Comments
0 comments from readers