Gemma’s POV
I stepped out of Ivy’s fortress-like penthouse to find Hunter leaning against his armored car, waiting for . The mont he spotted , his scarred face lit up as he strode over and planted a gentle kiss on my cheek.
"Gemma, you look absolutely stunning," Hunter said with genuine warmth in his voice.
Hunter possessed the kind of dangerous handsoness that commanded respect in our world. Though not quite matching Dominic’s imposing height, he still stood impressively tall beside . His shoulder-length black waves caught the afternoon light, complenting his naturally bronzed skin that bore the subtle marks of our violent lifestyle. Those calculating dark eyes sparkled with predatory energy, while his well-grood beard frad a disarming smile that could charm information from anyone.
"You always know exactly what to say," I replied, sliding into the bulletproof passenger seat as he held the door open like a true gentleman.
"So, my beautiful queen, I have sothing special planned," Hunter announced as he settled behind the wheel, checking his rearview mirrors with practiced caution. "There’s this incredible private estate restaurant just outside our territory. It’s secure, exclusive, and serves the most amazing food. The owner owes my family several favors. Does that sound appealing to you?"
The prospect of escaping the suffocating surveillance of our territory filled with the first genuine lightness I’d experienced in days. "That sounds absolutely perfect, Hunter."
During the drive through carefully monitored checkpoints, Hunter kept our conversation flowing effortlessly. His natural wit and endless stream of amusing stories about rival families created an atmosphere of carefree joy I’d almost forgotten existed. Yet I could sense the question hovering beneath his cheerful deanor, the one he was too strategic to rush into asking.
Finally, his curiosity won out, though he approached the subject with careful calculation. "My queen, I don’t want to pry into matters that could get us both killed, but I need to understand what Dominic did to hurt you so deeply."
The simple truth felt like swallowing broken glass. "He betrayed with another woman, Hunter."
"What an absolute fool," Hunter declared with a brilliant grin spreading across his face. "His spectacular stupidity is definitely my gain."
"Is that so?" I found myself laughing despite everything, just as Hunter guided the armored car into a heavily guarded private parking area beside the restaurant.
"Because now I finally have a real shot at winning your heart." His boldness was refreshing and utterly disarming.
"Look at you being so confident," I teased back.
"Darling, you haven’t experienced anything yet." He leaned over to kiss the tip of my nose before jumping out to signal his security detail. "Co on, my queen. I’m going to spoil you completely, and we’re going to create so beautiful mories this afternoon."
"Now that’s a plan I can definitely get behind."
The hours that followed with Hunter felt like stepping into a fairy tale. The private estate exceeded every expectation with its farm-to-table cuisine that tasted like pure heaven. Afterward, we explored the secure grounds on horseback, the wind whipping through our hair as we raced across protected fields while ard guards maintained discreet periters. We paddled a small boat across the pristine lake, sharing stories about our families and survival while swans glided alongside us. Hunter revealed pieces of himself with genuine openness, clearly wanting to see the real man beneath the criminal exterior. The entire experience felt wonderfully uncomplicated and joyful.
As evening painted the sky in soft pastels, Hunter drove ho and once again demonstrated his impeccable manners by walking to my secured door.
"My gorgeous queen, when can I have the pleasure of your company again?" he asked, that trademark calculating smile making his dark eyes absolutely luminous.
"Anyti you want to ask out again."
"How about tomorrow evening? I could pick you up after your shift at the compound, take you to catch a movie, then dinner sowhere special?"
"I absolutely love movies! You can choose whatever you want. I’m ga for anything - action, horror, science fiction, romantic codies, you na it."
"You’re absolutely incredible! I’ll send you an encrypted ssage so we can nail down all the details."
"It’s a date. Hunter, today was truly magical. Thank you for everything."
"My queen, spending ti with you is pure privilege. I should be thanking you."
We exchanged warm hugs and gentle kisses on the cheek before I headed inside my fortified apartnt. Once in my secured space, I finally checked my encrypted phone for the first ti since leaving with Hunter. Multiple ssages from my fellow mafia wives filled the screen, along with several from Vincenzo and even missed calls from him. Concern imdiately flooded through , so I quickly dialed his number.
"Auntie, my absolute favorite person!" Vincenzo’s familiar warmth greeted instantly.
"Vincenzo, my sweet boy! How are you doing?"
"Missing you terribly, auntie. Is everything going well with you?"
"Yes, everything’s fine. I spent the afternoon with a friend and completely missed your calls. I’m so sorry about that."
"Just a friend, auntie? Or are you maybe trying to find yourself another handso young soldier like ?"
"Oh honey, even if I had a hundred gorgeous young soldiers in my life, you’d still hold the top spot in my heart!"
"You’re my number one favorite auntie too! Do you have any free ti this week to hang out?"
"I always make ti for you, sweetheart, but it would have to be after my shifts at the compound. Where did you want to go?"
"I was thinking we could check out that amazing retro diner with all the classic car decorations on Wednesday evening. What do you think about that?"
"Speedway? Oh Vincenzo, that sounds absolutely fantastic! I’ve been dying to try that place but haven’t made it there yet."
"Auntie, you’re the absolute best! But speaking of other things..." His tone shifted slightly.
"I already know what you’re going to ask."
"Have you heard about the massive family war that erupted at the compound today? The whole ss with my mother, my uncle, and their father?"
"No, I haven’t heard anything about that yet. What exactly went down?"
"Marcus managed to completely destroy his relationship with my mother and the entire family alliance."
For the next while, I listened as Vincenzo painted a detailed picture of the chaos that had erupted within our criminal organization. He described his mother’s devastation and revealed the disgusting behavior Marcus had been displaying toward won at our underground casino operations. Throughout his account, I couldn’t stop thinking about how absolutely crushed Dominic must be feeling right now.
"My uncle swears he had no idea his father had harassed you like that. Why didn’t you tell him what happened?" Vincenzo’s concern was genuine and touching.
"Because your uncle already had enough territorial wars and family problems to deal with, and I knew the mont he found out, he’d imdiately execute Marcus for it." I let out a heavy sigh. "Now I know he’s going to demand to know why I kept it from him."
"It’s actually much more complicated than that, auntie. If you had told him everything, so many of these problems could have been prevented entirely."
"What exactly do you an by that, Vincenzo?"
"I can’t tell you the details. My uncle would absolutely murder if I spilled everything before he gets the chance to explain it himself."
"Vincenzo, you can’t leave hanging like this. Tell what you know."
"Auntie, please don’t put in this impossible position."
"Co on, Vincenzo, I can tell you’re practically bursting to share this information with !"
"This is what we get for trying to help people - absolutely no appreciation!"
"Oh Vincenzo, don’t try to play innocent with . You’re the family’s official intelligence coordinator. But honestly, who am I to judge you for that?"
Vincenzo’s wonderful laughter filled the encrypted line.
"Auntie, I’m not a gossip at all - I’m a dedicated historian of other families’ fascinating operations!" Now it was my turn to laugh at this impossible kid. "But since you’re completely in the dark about this situation, you better sit down because I’m about to tell you quite a story."
I made my way to the kitchen, grabbed leftover takeout from the refrigerator along with a cold drink, then settled into my most comfortable chair. Apparently, this was going to be so seriously shocking information. And it’s definitely good that I sat down, because what Vincenzo revealed next would have knocked flat on the floor.
Vincenzo told about the surveillance photograph that manipulative snake Beatrix had taken and sent directly to Dominic on the exact day his father harassed at our underground casino. He explained how Dominic had completely lost his mind afterward, and instead of coming to talk with about what he’d seen, he went straight to that whore’s bed. And to make everything even worse, that treacherous old bastard had been dropping calculated hints to Dominic for weeks. I could feel rage burning through my veins - I wanted to make Dominic suffer for his stupidity, but I also wanted to completely destroy Marcus.
"Auntie, my uncle made a catastrophic mistake with you and you know you have my complete support in whatever you decide, but he’s really suffering right now. He’s genuinely heartbroken. He actually cried like a baby in my mother’s arms today. I thought he had co to comfort her because of what her father did to her, but she ended up having to comfort him instead."
"Vincenzo, do you understand how incredibly stupid your uncle was? Why didn’t he just co talk to directly? But no, instead he had to run straight to that whore!"
"I know, it was completely ridiculous and absolutely senseless. I definitely think you should make him suffer for a while, but I also think you should eventually work toward forgiveness."
"Work toward forgiveness, Vincenzo? Are you serious right now? Have you been watching religious programming lately?"
My reinforced doorbell suddenly rang, which struck as odd since the security team hadn’t announced any visitors. I walked to the door while continuing to listen to Vincenzo describe how much his uncle was suffering. I peered through the bulletproof peephole and couldn’t believe who was standing outside. I opened the door, ready for absolute war.
"Vincenzo, we’ll have to continue this conversation later because a complete clown just showed up at my house." Vincenzo imdiately asked if it was his uncle. "The one and only!" Vincenzo begged not to reveal that he had told everything, as if I needed that reminder. "Okay. See you Wednesday. Love you."
I ended the call, closed the reinforced door firmly, then stood directly in front of Dominic with my arms crossed defiantly.
"Well, well, well, look what the cat dragged in!"
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