Dominic’s POV
I woke up with an energy that only ca from spending an incredible night with the woman who owned my heart and soul. The prospect of having an entire day with Gemma, away from the blood and bullets of our world, filled with an excitent I hadn’t felt since childhood.
Making my way to the kitchen of our safe house, I started preparing breakfast with the supplies my n had stocked. Just as I was sliding the olet onto a plate, I felt Gemma’s arms encircle my waist and her lips press against my back through my shirt. The sensation sent warmth through my scarred body, a stark contrast to the cold steel I usually carried. I savored the surprise, flipping the last olet before turning to face her. She rose on tiptoes to kiss properly, her lips soft against mine.
"Mmm," I murmured when our lips parted. "This fortress must have so kind of magic."
"I think you’re right," Gemma agreed, her smile radiant despite everything we’d endured in this violent world. "I absolutely love it here."
"Then I was right all along. This is where we’ll build our empire together." I peppered kisses along her neck, breathing in her scent that sohow made the tallic taste of violence fade from my mory. "When do you want to start making this place truly ours?"
Gemma’s laughter filled the kitchen, a sound more precious than any of the blood money flowing through our accounts. "Making it ours? I haven’t forgiven you yet, rember?"
"But you will," I replied with the sa unshakable confidence that had helped survive countless territory wars. "It’s just a matter of ti and a bit more groveling on my part. In the anti, you could start transforming our stronghold. A proper bed in that massive master suite upstairs would be nice."
"I like the cushions just fine," she countered, that stubborn streak that first attracted still blazing bright.
"So do I, but I’m getting older and my body bears the scars of too many fights. My back demands a real mattress for everyday use," I joked, though the ache from old bullet wounds was real enough.
Her eyes sparkled with mischief. "So I’m supposed to forgive a battle-worn old soldier, is that it?"
"Exactly, which is why you shouldn’t wait too long." Her laughter was music to my ears, drowning out the echoes of gunfire that usually haunted my thoughts. "Co on, let’s eat. Then I’ll take you ho to get ready before we stop by my penthouse to—"
She cut off imdiately. "I am never setting foot in that blood-stained place again unless it’s to burn that cursed bed." Her expression turned deadly serious, and I was reminded that my woman had spine of steel.
"I’m sorry. You’re right." I sighed deeply, rembering the carnage that place had witnessed. "I’ll drop you at your place, grab my things from the penthouse, then co back for you. Then we’ll pick up Vincenzo and Carn. How does that sound?"
"Much better," she said, her expression softening slightly.
"I think my accounts are going to be drained by the end of today," I said, earning a small smile from her.
"You made a deal with Carn but didn’t set any spending limits?" She raised an eyebrow as realization dawned on . "No, I didn’t specify any boundaries."
"Oh, Dominic," Gemma laughed. "You’re not as strategic as I thought."
"It doesn’t matter. Seeing you smile makes it worth every dollar in my offshore accounts." I gave her a quick kiss. "So, will you start making this fortress into our ho?"
"I’ll consider it. Maybe I’ll buy a bed, and you can move your arsenal in right away."
"I’d love nothing more."
My sister and brother-in-law were so desperate for alone ti away from the family business that they’d already dropped Vincenzo and Carn at Gemma’s apartnt. When I returned after securing my weapons and sensitive docunts, the apartnt was overflowing with laughter. I stood at the door, listening like a lovesick fool before finally ringing the doorbell.
"This is exactly how I want our stronghold to be," I said, pulling Gemma into my arms when she opened the door. "Filled with joy and laughter instead of the screams that usually echo through our world."
"Good, because I told Nadia not to worry. I’ll take care of them today, and they’re sleeping over. My driver will take them to their private school tomorrow," Gemma announced happily.
"I’m not sure whether to laugh or cry," I joked, making her laugh.
"Let your sister and brother-in-law have so fun!" Gemma scolded playfully.
"Good morning, kids!" I called out as I entered.
Vincenzo imdiately announced, "Uncle Dominic, you’re taking us to Aunt Willow’s new house after the shopping district."
"Excellent idea, Vincenzo," I agreed. "I haven’t had a chance to buy Willow and Ryder a proper housewarming gift from our family."
"I still haven’t forgiven you," Gemma reminded pointedly.
"What matters is that you will," I replied, kissing her cheek while ntally calculating which of my clean bank accounts to use today.
Turning my attention to Carn, I said seriously, "Little princess, we need to discuss sothing important." She matched my serious expression with the intensity of a seasoned negotiator.
"What is it, Frost?" The girl’s sassiness was increasing daily. Gemma and Vincenzo failed miserably at hiding their amusent.
"Don’t call that! I’m your uncle," I protested.
"Whatever. What do you want?" Carn regarded with complete disinterest, clearly having learned negotiation tactics from watching family business etings.
"Limits," I said, which was enough for her to understand my aning.
"No way! Absolutely not! You didn’t set any paraters when you made the deal, so now, sweetheart, you can sit and cry all you want, but hand over that unlimited black card!"
"You ruthless little thing!" I blinked in disbelief.
"Look beside you," Carn said smugly. "Are you saying this gorgeous woman isn’t worth every penny you’re about to spend winning her back?"
"You’re not a child! You’re a business school graduate trapped in a tiny body!" Gemma and Vincenzo were doubled over with laughter while I sat there in mock despair.
"Now I’m curious," Gemma asked, struggling to keep a straight face. "Am I not worth every penny you’ll spend to win back?" What could I possibly say?
"For you, my queen, I’d give my life, let alone what’s in my accounts," I answered truthfully, catching Carn’s victorious smile from the corner of my eye.
"Hey, Uncle, I’m feeling left out here!" Vincenzo complained.
"What’s wrong, kiddo?" I asked, already anticipating his answer.
"I helped you with everything, always took your side through all the family drama, and I got nothing." He was playing the victim card masterfully.
"No need to pout. Co on, I’ll take everyone to lunch at that restaurant you love, then let you all empty my accounts at the shopping district," I said, already regretting my strategic alliances. "Tomorrow I’ll call my accountant to declare financial ruin!"
We left the apartnt laughing, with my security detail following at a discrete distance. That carefree atmosphere of joy persisted throughout the day, a rare respite from our dangerous world. It was genuinely one of the best days of my life. I was certain that with Gemma by my side, all my days would be filled with this kind of happiness, even amid the chaos of family business.
"Good God, this girl is going to buy the entire district!" I exclaid, struggling with armfuls of shopping bags while my bodyguards carried the rest.
"Oh, Dominic, it’s not that bad," Gemma tried to defend Carn, then looked at Vincenzo and and reconsidered. "Okay, fine, she’s a money-burning machine!"
"Now I understand why Nadia keeps her on a tight leash," I said. "Vincenzo, should we take these bags to the armored car?"
"Yes, please, Uncle. My arms are killing ," Vincenzo complained, despite having already enjoyed his own shopping spree with my card.
"Will you ladies wait for us here?" I asked, noting my n positioned strategically around the area.
"Of course, but leave the card," Gemma held out her hand, and I handed it over with a smile. We were standing near a lingerie boutique.
"Planning to buy sothing tempting to wear for tonight?" I whispered in her ear.
"Perhaps," her eyes sparkled. "Carn, sweetie, it’s my turn to use your uncle’s unlimited black card." The girl looked up and grinned.
When Vincenzo and I returned, we found them testing beds in an upscale furniture store that had recently opened in the luxury district. The salesman was laughing along with them, clearly unaware he was dealing with the family of one of the city’s most dangerous n. Before approaching, I snapped a photo of them hugging on an enormous bed, both smiling with sparkling eyes.
"Co over here, boys, and tell us what you think," Gemma called when she spotted us.
"I love it! It’s incredibly comfortable!" I comnted, lying down beside her while ntally noting the store’s security caras.
"Can your battle-worn back handle sleeping on this bed every night, old soldier?" Gemma teased.
"My back would be ecstatic to sleep on this bed every night," I replied contentedly.
"Great, because I bought it. They’re delivering it to the house tomorrow." I stared at her in disbelief.
"Are you serious?" I asked, breaking into a huge smile.
"You’re moving in today, Dominic. And the only thing you’re taking from that penthouse is your clothes, understood?" Gemma said firmly.
"Understood! I’m moving in today. Vincenzo, you’re helping ," I said without taking my eyes off her. "Does this an that—" She interrupted .
"I haven’t forgiven you yet! But this definitely counts in your favor!" Gemma maintained her tough facade.
We continued through the district as she purchased more items for our fortress, enough to make living there comfortable. I was overjoyed, knowing that ho would now an more than just a safe house.
I bought gifts for her parents and flowers and chocolates for Vincenzo and Carn to present. The boy was such a charr, already showing the diplomatic skills that ran in our family. We left the shopping district in high spirits, planning to have dinner with Gemma’s parents before I’d drop Carn and Gemma at ho and take Vincenzo with to handle so family business.
We received a warm welco at Gemma’s parents’ house. Ryder was technically her stepfather, but I considered him Gemma’s father because he’d told he thought of her as his daughter, and in our world, family bonds mattered more than blood. The evening was delightful and entertaining, a peaceful interlude from our usual violence-filled gatherings. As we were saying goodbye, Gemma’s mother rembered sothing important.
"Honey, I almost forgot. The neighbor called, and I picked up your mail. This one looked important," Willow said, handing over an envelope.
Gemma’s deanor changed instantly when she took the letter. I noticed her becoming tense, her smile forced. Sothing was wrong, and in our world, unexpected mail often ant trouble. I decided to ask about it later, away from her family.
When we arrived at her apartnt, she remained distant. I pulled her into my arms, my protective instincts on high alert.
"I want to stay with you tonight. Can I ask one of my n to handle moving my things tomorrow? I promise it’ll be done by morning," I whispered in her ear.
"Okay, I want you to stay too," Gemma hugged tightly.
"What’s in the letter, Gemma?" She shuddered at my question, confirming my suspicions that it ant trouble.
"Let’s get the kids to bed first, then we’ll talk," she said, taking a deep breath before turning toward the bedrooms.
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