Dominic’s POV
Gemma and I remained locked in our embrace for what felt like hours. My mind drifted through mories I’d buried deep—painful recollections of blood, betrayal, and the father who’d destroyed everything our family had built. These were secrets I’d never shared with another soul, wounds that festered in the darkness of my position as Capo. Yet sohow, feeling her arms around , offering silent understanding, began to heal those raw scars Marcus had carved into my psyche.
When we finally separated, I gazed into her eyes with absolute conviction. If not her, then no one would ever stand beside in this brutal world, helping overco the shadows of my past in the Thorne organization.
"Co back to , Gemma, forever," I whispered, voice barely audible above the distant sounds of the harbor.
"Dominic..." she exhaled softly. "After I caught you together, did you really go to that horse ranch with her?"
"Yes." Truth was agony but necessary between us.
"Why would you go?" Her question carried the weight of everything we’d been through.
"Because she sent a voice ssage claiming rival forces had put a price on her head and she was going to overdose rather than face their interrogation. She threatened to kill herself if I didn’t et her. I can show you the recording."
"I don’t need to see it." Gemma turned away, crossing her arms defensively against the morning chill.
"Gemma, I don’t have feelings for her, but I couldn’t ignore a death threat against soone connected to family business. I’d been involved with her for years when she worked the high-stakes gas at Social Union," I confessed, knowing it wouldn’t help my case but needing complete transparency. "The very least I could do was assess the situation and offer protection as a forr associate." I emphasized those last words deliberately. "Nothing more."
"Just that?"
"Just that," I confird without hesitation. "I found her at her usual spa with her accounts frozen by federal investigation. I paid her tab and got her out before the Feds could trace the connection back to our operations. Can you imagine the exposure risk if she’d been arrested at a place where everyone knows she’s connected to our circles?"
"Don’t expect sympathy from !" Gemma snapped.
"I’m asking for understanding," I clarified. "After the spa, I drove her to her father’s import business, where she discovered the Feds had seized everything in a RICO investigation. She completely broke down, and her father was too busy destroying evidence to deal with her emotional state. He dismissed her without consideration for the danger she’d face alone."
"So?"
"So I was going to take her to a safe house, but she begged to go to the ranch instead, claiming she needed to retrieve sothing valuable before the federal seizure. I agreed because I needed to ensure nothing there could compromise our money laundering operations."
"And then what happened?"
"Damn it, Gemma!" My frustration surfaced with the edge that ca from years of commanding soldiers. "Nothing happened between us, understand? We spent the afternoon there while she collected whatever personal items she could salvage, and then I dropped her at a secure location. That’s the entire story, I swear on my position in this family!"
"I need more wine." That’s all Gemma said.
"We’ve already finished a bottle!" I pointed out.
"I don’t care! Figure it out! I want more wine!" Her anger was unmistakable, and I recognized the dangerous tone.
"You’re eting Zoe and the girls in a few hours for Ivy’s wedding preparations," I reminded her, hoping to dissuade her from further drinking.
"And you’ll make sure I wake up ready, beautiful, and hangover-free, but right now I-WANT-MORE-WINE!" Her volu increased, and I knew better than to argue with justified fury from the woman I’d nearly lost.
I retrieved another bottle from the wine cooler in my penthouse kitchen. When I returned, she was staring blankly at the harbor lights. I filled her glass, which she emptied in one continuous gulp, then gestured for a refill. After her second glass from the new bottle, the alcohol’s effects were becoming evident.
"When does this damn sun actually rise?" Gemma asked, her irritation softening into sothing I found endearingly vulnerable.
"It’s already the early morning hours; sunrise will be soon." I pulled her close, and we sat embracing in comfortable silence, the weight of family business temporarily forgotten.
She finished the second bottle entirely by herself. Her eyes were heavy, fighting to stay open as the first rays of sunlight appeared over Port Serenity. Looking down at her head against my chest, I noticed her eyes sparkle and a smile spread across her face.
The sun perford its daily miracle, lazily climbing the sky, transforming darkness into brilliant light, heralding a new day and renewing my hopes—after all, she was here in my arms, wasn’t she? Yes, she was. She nestled closer, and gradually her eyes closed as she drifted into deep slumber.
I held her tighter, kissed her forehead, and sighed contentedly. This woman was my personal salvation. I fell asleep surrounded by her scent and the warmth of my sun against my skin.
Our rest was brief. By mid-morning, I had to wake her—we had commitnts to help with Ivy and Caleb’s wedding preparations. As expected, she woke with a severe hangover, so I provided her with headache dication, anti-nausea tablets, and an antacid, all washed down with fresh orange juice.
"Can you even stand?" I asked gently.
"Ughh..." she groaned. "Yes. Why did you let drink so much?" I couldn’t help laughing.
"Because you were angry with ," I said, holding her close and giving her a quick kiss. "And I’d do anything, absolutely anything for you!"
"I wanted to drink, but not get hungover." She rested her head against my chest.
"Songbird, those two things don’t go together, especially with that quantity." I smiled, kissing the top of her head. "Co on, breakfast will help."
I’d prepared an olet, fresh fruit, orange juice, coconut water, and black coffee. She ate and drank the juice and coffee.
"Songbird, drink the coconut water to rehydrate yourself."
"I don’t want to," she replied childishly.
"But you need it." She reluctantly took the glass and drank.
"Let’s go, I’ll drive you ho to get ready. Zoe will pick you up there."
"I still haven’t forgiven you," she said with a pout.
"I know, but I’ll keep trying."
"You’re impossible." Her small smile erged, and I couldn’t resist giving her another quick kiss.
The day passed without communication from Gemma. That evening was poker night at Xavier’s apartnt, but I needed to see her beforehand. So I stopped at her apartnt before heading to our consigliere’s bachelor celebration.
"What do you want, Dominic? I need proper sleep tonight," Gemma said, opening the door in short leopard-print pajamas.
I entered, closed the door, pulled her into my arms, and kissed her deeply, passionately. When we separated, we were both breathless.
"Just needed to see you before sleeping," I said, caressing her face.
"I still haven’t forgiven you," she reminded .
"I know. But I’ll keep trying." My smile triggered her own.
"I’ll pick you up tomorrow at ten for the wedding," I said, holding her tightly.
"I’m not going with you!" she protested without releasing .
"Don’t start! We’re the godparents, and you’re absolutely going with ." I smiled while inhaling the scent of her hair.
"Fine. Are you attending Xavier’s thing?"
"Yes, he’s organized a poker ga as his bachelor celebration," I explained.
"Hmm. You’ll need to pick up at eight. Zoe arranged breakfast at Caleb’s penthouse. We’ll go together from there to the wedding venue," she inford .
"Zoe ruined my plans!" I pretended disappointnt. "But I’ll be here at eight."
My phone rang, which I ignored. I kissed Gemma again, but the phone persisted. When I checked the screen and declined the call, it rang once more, and Gemma caught a glimpse of the caller.
"Seriously, Dominic?" She pulled away angrily.
"It’s not my fault, Gemma," I defended.
"Why haven’t you blocked that woman’s number yet?"
"I’ll block it now." I drew her close for another kiss. "Get so rest now."
After getting into my car, I received a ssage from Elza claiming Beatrix was at Social Union threatening to overdose on pills in the high-stakes room. Exactly what I didn’t need tonight.
I called both won but got no answer. I tried Beatrix’s father without success. Frustrated, I struck the steering wheel; I’d have to go to the club.
Upon arrival, I found Beatrix and Elza in the parking lot beside Elza’s car. Spotting , Beatrix rushed over and flung herself at .
"Baby! I knew you cared! You love !"
I struggled to detach Beatrix from my neck. "What’s going on here, Beatrix?" I demanded angrily.
"I knew you’d co! You do care. You love !" she repeated, revealing the manipulation.
"I despise you both! I can’t believe you’d fabricate such a story to lure here." Furious, I stord back to my car. "Don’t ever contact again!"
I sped away with tires squealing, completely unaware that the damage was already done.
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