Dominic’s POV
I helped Nadia settle into the passenger seat, my concern for her weighing heavily on my mind. The confrontation with our father had shattered sothing inside her today. Despite all his cruelty and exile from the Thorne family, she still harbored feelings for that worthless traitor, and I could see how deeply his latest betrayal had wounded her.
As I walked toward my own car, I pulled out my phone and dialed Gerard. He answered almost imdiately, and I quickly explained everything that had transpired. His voice imdiately shifted to one of protective urgency as he promised to head ho right away to be with her. That eased so of the tension in my chest. I assured him I would check on them both later tonight.
Sliding behind the wheel, I started the engine and headed toward the Social Union. Sothing dark twisted in my gut as I drove through the city streets. Whatever Ryder needed to discuss with , I had a feeling it was going to make this already hellish day even worse.
The familiar sight of the establishnt’s discreet entrance did nothing to calm my nerves. I parked in my designated spot behind the reinforced steel barriers where family mbers conducted business away from prying eyes. The exhaustion from dealing with family drama weighed on my shoulders as I walked through the security checkpoint. Maybe after handling whatever crisis awaited , I could find so temporary escape at the private bar.
Ryder was already waiting in the managent office when I arrived. His usually confident deanor seed strained as he rose to greet with the formal respect due to a Capo.
"Mr. Frost, thank you for coming so quickly. Can I get you anything? Whiskey, perhaps, or sothing stronger from the private reserves?"
"I’m fine, Ryder. Just tell what this is about." I settled into the chair across from his desk, bracing myself for bad news.
His expression grew uncomfortable as he cleared his throat. "I’m afraid it concerns your father, Marcus Frost. Since you oversee family disciplinary matters for this territory and he’s been operating under your forr protection, we’re required to notify you of any serious incidents."
A familiar surge of anger rose in my chest. "What has that piece of trash done now?"
"Your father has been engaging in predatory behavior toward several young won here at the establishnt. We have docunted five formal complaints and one additional incident that wasn’t officially reported but required our security team’s intervention."
Each word made my stomach turn with disgust. "Six incidents total. Why wasn’t the one incident reported? And why should I be aware of it specifically?"
Ryder’s discomfort beca more obvious as he fidgeted with so docunts on his desk. I pressed him harder. "Mr. Conway, I need the complete story."
"This won’t be easy to hear," he said with a heavy sigh. "We have surveillance footage of all incidents. Let show you the unreported case first, and then you can decide if you want to review the others."
He turned his computer screen toward and loaded the video file. The tistamp showed multiple cara angles, all in crystal-clear high definition with audio. My hands clenched into fists as I watched the scene unfold.
The footage showed Gemma erging from the ladies’ lounge when Marcus appeared and cornered her against the wall. She was clearly trying to escape his grasp, telling him to back off, but he persisted in his assault. If our security team hadn’t intervened when they did, I couldn’t imagine how far he might have gone. In the background of the shot, I could make out Beatrix holding up her phone.
The date and ti stamp matched exactly with when Beatrix had sent that damning photograph. My vision blurred as rage and sha crashed over in equal asure. The blood roared in my ears as the full scope of what had happened beca clear.
Ryder quietly placed a glass of aged bourbon in front of . I downed the amber liquid in one burning gulp, trying to steady my nerves enough to speak.
"Do you have footage showing what happened before this? Who they were with?"
"I anticipated you’d ask for that." He pulled up another video file from the dining area.
The new footage revealed Gemma sitting at a table with her friends near the entrance, her back turned to the rest of the dining room. Marcus sat with a group of associates further back, including Roman and Beatrix’s father. Beatrix occupied a table in the center with other won from connected families. When Gemma excused herself to use the restroom, Marcus approached Beatrix’s table and spoke with her briefly before following Gemma out.
"There’s one more segnt you need to see," Ryder said grimly. The next clip showed Marcus attacking Gemma in the background while Beatrix deliberately photographed the scene. "After our security removed your father from the establishnt that evening, he had a conversation with Miss Cross on his way out."
The final video showed Beatrix and Marcus sharing satisfied smiles as she showed him sothing on her phone screen.
They had orchestrated the entire setup, and I had fallen for it completely. The betrayal felt like a physical blow to my chest. My throat constricted as I realized what I had done to Gemma based on their lies. How could she ever forgive for being such a fool?
"Would you like to review the other incidents?" Ryder asked quietly.
I couldn’t lift my head to look at him. "Are they similar to this one?"
"There are variations in severity. One victim was forcibly kissed, another was groped, and in the most serious case, he lifted a girl’s dress and touched her intimately."
"I assu they want to press charges through our channels," I said, my voice thick with disgust.
"Yes, sir. The most recent victim is a teenage girl and the daughter of a judge. The others range from eighteen to twenty and have agreed not to involve outside authorities."
"Let them report it," I said without hesitation. "This man is a predator who’s been attacking won in our establishnt. Why did you wait until six cases to contact ?"
"We were trying to handle it discretely because of your family connection."
"There’s no discretion when it cos to sexual assault. This man is despicable," I said firmly. "What action is the establishnt taking?"
"We’re levying a substantial penalty."
"That’s it?" I couldn’t hide my disbelief. "Fine, I’ll pay the penalty, but I also want him permanently banned from these premises and blacklisted from all family-affiliated establishnts."
"Well, sir, you could revoke his access privileges..."
"You’re not understanding ," I interrupted. "I want him expelled completely. Banned for life. He should never be allowed to set foot in any Thorne family territory again under any circumstances."
"Are you certain about this decision, sir?"
"Absolutely. And I want copies of all the surveillance footage."
I spent so ti working through the arrangents with Ryder and the establishnt’s legal counsel. I paid the penalty in full and signed docuntation ensuring Marcus Frost would be permanently banned from all family territories and that they would support any victims who chose to pursue justice through our internal channels. The docunt also confird that I would receive copies of all relevant surveillance videos.
When I finally left that office, I had no desire to remain at the establishnt. I walked through the secured parking area in a daze, my mind reeling with everything I had learned. I needed to find Gemma and sohow make this right.
As I approached my car, I spotted the last person I wanted to see leaning against it with a satisfied grin plastered across her face.
"Baby! I’ve missed you so much!" Beatrix launched herself at , wrapping her arms around my neck.
I imdiately pried her arms away and stepped back, revulsion coursing through . She looked genuinely confused by my reaction.
"That was low, even for you, Beatrix." My voice carried pure ice.
"What are you talking about, baby?" She still had the audacity to play innocent.
"Did you forget your little conspiracy with my father to destroy my relationship with Gemma?"
"Baby, I didn’t do anything wrong."
"Oh, Beatrix, you both forgot that we upgraded our entire surveillance system recently. There are caras everywhere now. I saw very interesting footage of you and my father planning the whole thing."
"Dominic, your father convinced to help him..." she started to explain.
"Save your breath, Beatrix." I turned to walk away, then decided she needed one final warning. "Just so you know, I’m going to tell your father exactly what you’ve been up to."
"Dominic, no... Dominic, please don’t do that." She hurried after desperately.
I got into my car and rolled down the window to deliver my final words to her.
"Stay away from . Don’t speak to . Pretend I don’t exist, and if you see coming, leave before I notice you, or I’ll ensure your family pays the price for your betrayal."
I started the engine and peeled out of the parking area. I was heading to Caleb’s office when my phone rang. Jude’s na appeared on the screen.
"Dominic, ergency at Xavier’s house." Jude sounded agitated.
"What now, Jude? I’m not in the mood for more complications."
"You need to hear this! Scott figured out who Caleb’s mystery woman is. Xavier wants everyone over there imdiately."
"Are you serious?" My exhaustion montarily forgotten, I felt a surge of interest.
"Dead serious. Get over here now."
I made a sharp U-turn at the next intersection and headed toward Xavier’s house. After everything that had happened today, at least Caleb might finally get so answers about the woman who had been haunting him.
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