Dominic’s POV
The atmosphere in my heavily fortified penthouse dining room radiated warmth and contentnt as conversation flowed effortlessly around the mahogany table. My mother and Nadia engaged in animated discussion, their occasional approving glances toward Gemma and revealing their genuine delight about our relationship within the family hierarchy.
Everything had unfolded perfectly for this gathering of the Thorne family inner circle. Willow and my mother had ford an instant connection, conversing like veteran mafia wives who had navigated the treacherous waters of this life for decades rather than hours. They were already enthusiastically discussing the prospect of future heirs to carry on the family bloodline, their eyes sparkling with anticipation whenever they looked at Gemma and together.
The unexpected chi of the reinforced security intercom cut through our pleasant gathering, causing to exchange a sharp, concerned glance with Gemma. Every guest we were expecting for this private family eting had already arrived through our carefully monitored checkpoints.
"I’ll handle it, handso," Gemma said, rising from her chair. I couldn’t resist stealing a quick kiss on her cheek before she moved toward the security panel.
When she returned, her expression had transford from serene to absolutely murderous. Behind her strutted Marcus, his arrogance as insufferable as ever as he entered my secured territory uninvited.
"Ah, the entire family council gathered. How touching!" he announced, acting as if he still held any legitimate claim to be here.
"Dominic, I couldn’t stop him," Gemma explained, fury blazing in her dark eyes. "The periter guards let him through."
"Don’t worry, Gemma. I’ll deal with this piece of filth personally," I replied, feeling the familiar cold rage building inside like a brewing storm.
Gerard imdiately positioned himself beside , hand instinctively moving toward his concealed weapon. "I’ll assist you, Dominic."
"I can already tell who this scumbag is," Zander added, rising to his feet with predatory grace. "Count in for the removal operation."
Marcus, completely unfazed by the barely restrained violence directed at him, casually settled into the nearest leather armchair as if he owned the place. "Such hostility from my own blood! I rely ca to join the family dinner. The real outsider here is Andrew Taylor, wouldn’t you agree?" He looked directly at with that familiar twisted smirk. "Now, pour so of that expensive whiskey, son."
Sothing primal snapped inside . I lunged forward, grabbing him by his expensive Italian suit collar with enough force to cut off his air supply. "You worthless parasite, get out of my territory now!" I growled, my voice dropping to the dangerous octave that had made grown n beg for rcy.
"Oh, Dominic, always so theatrical. You love putting on a show," Marcus mocked, showing no fear despite the murderous intent radiating from every man in the room. "I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying for dinner with my family. And I’m considering taking up residence here with you and the delectable Gemma." His eyes raked over her body with the kind of predatory hunger that made my blood turn to liquid fire.
"You’re disgusting!" Gemma shouted, visibly revolted by his violation. "Get this vermin out of here, Dominic. I don’t want this trash contaminating our ho!"
From my peripheral vision, I saw Willow smoothly taking command of the situation. "Nadia, let’s escort Carn upstairs imdiately. Co, Bee." Her calm authority, honed through years as a mafia wife, was impressive as she efficiently guided the won away from the impending bloodshed.
Marcus’s predatory gaze followed their retreat. "Magnificent! Is that your mother, Gemma? She’s as stunning as you are. Despite her age, she’s still quite appetizing!"
Before I could react to this ultimate insult, a blur of lethal movent shot past . Ryder had tackled Marcus to the marble floor, landing a bone-crushing punch that split his lip and sent blood spattering across the expensive Persian rug. More crimson trickled down Marcus’s chin as Ryder gripped him by his shirt collar, shaking him like a rag doll.
"That’s enough, you miserable waste of oxygen!" Ryder snarled with the controlled fury of a seasoned enforcer. "You’re a pathetic piece of garbage, a despicable excuse for a human being. Now shut your filthy mouth and crawl back to whatever hole you erged from."
Marcus’s smile was absolutely demonic as he stared defiantly up at Ryder, blood staining his teeth. "I’m in my son’s house, and I’m not leaving."
"I already told you I disowned you long ago!" I roared, feeling murderous rage pulsing through every vein in my body like molten steel. "And if you won’t leave voluntarily, I’ll personally throw you off the balcony."
"If you’ll permit , Dominic," Andrew interjected, his usually composed deanor now twisted with lethal anger, "I’d be honored to assist Ryder with that task. Contact your security team to remove this parasite from your doorstep."
While I grabbed my encrypted phone to summon our ard security detail, Andrew and Ryder hauled Marcus toward the reinforced exit. Zander, Vincenzo, and Gerard followed in tight formation as we escorted them through the bulletproof corridors. Once outside, we unceremoniously hurled him onto the concrete just as our black SUVs pulled up with tactical precision.
Before being forced into the armored security vehicle, Marcus shouted one final threat that nearly pushed past the point of no return.
"I’m going to make Gemma my personal plaything, Dominic," he laughed with maniacal glee. "And I’ll broadcast the footage across every screen so you can watch your woman submit."
Homicidal fury consud completely. If not for Andrew and Ryder physically restraining , I might have painted the sidewalk with his blood right there. After security transported him beyond our territory, we returned to the penthouse. Before rejoining the family, I summoned the head of security for an imdiate debriefing.
"Explain to how such a catastrophic breach occurred. Your n are completely incompetent!" I snarled at the security chief in the monitoring room.
"Sir, they’re recent additions to our payroll. I sincerely apologize. Their background checks were thorough," he explained as we reviewed the damning surveillance footage showing two guards accepting what appeared to be substantial paynt before granting Marcus access.
"WHAT THE HELL POSSESSED THEM TO TAKE BRIBES?" I roared, pointing at the incriminating evidence.
Their shaful silence confird their guilt. I terminated them imdiately, stripping all benefits and ordering their permanent banishnt from Thorne family territory.
"One more security failure like this and you’ll be joining them in exile, Reed," I warned the security chief with deadly seriousness.
"It won’t happen again, sir. You have my word," he assured with appropriate gravity as I stord out.
When I returned to the dining room, Gemma was waiting by the doorway. She wrapped her arms around , her gentle caress on the nape of my neck instantly dissolving the murderous tension from my muscles. With her warm body pressed against mine, the rage lted away like ice in fire. Within monts, my breathing steadied and my heartbeat returned to normal rhythm. I kissed her soft lips, grateful beyond words to have her strength anchoring .
"I love you more than life itself," she whispered against my lips.
"And I love you," I replied, stealing another tender kiss and sighing with deep contentnt.
"Let’s continue our dinner," Gemma said, taking my hand with practiced ease. "That unfortunate interruption won’t ruin our first family gathering in our new ho."
Peace gradually returned as we rejoined everyone in the elegant dining room. Conversation had resud, genuine smiles had returned to every face, and the atmosphere was once again light and pleasant. Gemma had outdone herself with the al, everything perfectly coordinated and delicious.
After dinner concluded, I approached Willow about pending residential arrangents.
"Willow, have you decided what you’re doing with your current apartnt? I’m coordinating Gemma’s relocation next week." I was curious whether she needed assistance with her transition plans.
"Oh yes, Dominic. Zander will assu the lease. He’s currently sharing space with an incompatible roommate. He can keep all the existing furniture as well," Willow explained.
"That’s an excellent solution!" I was genuinely pleased with this arrangent. "Zander, when do you want to complete the move?"
"Boss, if Gemma doesn’t object, tomorrow itself. She can take her ti transferring her belongings, but I can’t tolerate my current roommate anymore. The guy’s an absolute slob," Zander complained with obvious disgust.
"Oh right, Zander absolutely despises ss," Gemma teased affectionately. "He made clean the apartnt thoroughly the other day."
"My goddess, don’t complain about that. Thanks to his obsessiveness, you discovered my note," I smiled at Gemma with pure adoration.
"And thanks to , she decided to return to you!" Zander added with obvious pride.
"Sure, he’s practically the fairy godfather of this relationship," Vincenzo mocked playfully. "Just don’t forget that I was the one who searched the entire city with her and brought her back to you, uncle."
"Is this kid always this bold?" Zander laughed appreciatively.
"You haven’t witnessed anything yet!" I replied, making everyone burst into genuine laughter.
The remainder of the evening progressed smoothly and peacefully. Though I was growing increasingly eager to be alone with Gemma, to lose myself completely in her beautiful body without any interruption, the night still held one more surprise in store for .
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