Dominic’s POV
The secure living room of my downtown safe house buzzed with comfortable conversation as we discussed plans for an upcoming family gathering when Nadia decided to check in on her children via encrypted video call.
"Hi, Mom! Where are you now?" Carn’s voice rang through the reinforced tablet, her eyes bright with what appeared to be innocence though I had long since learned not to trust those deceptively angelic looks.
"Hi, sweetie! We’re in Madrid, waiting for our connection flight. Are you two staying out of trouble?" Nadia looked relaxed and carefree, clearly enjoying her European vacation with Quentin, far from the bloodstained streets of Port Serenity.
Carn didn’t miss a beat. "I always stay out of trouble, Mom. As for Vincenzo..." she threw a sideways glance at her brother, "well, he’s a teenage boy in a mafia family. Can’t expect miracles." Her tone dripped with sisterly disdain, which made smile despite the dangerous implications of her words.
"That’s completely unfair, Carn," Vincenzo protested imdiately. "Mom, I conduct myself with proper family honor. Always behaving like a future made man should."
Carn rolled her eyes as Nadia laughed. "That’s wonderful. Keep it up so your mother can travel more often without worrying about Thorne family reputation."
My eyebrows shot up. She had barely escaped the family’s iron grip and was already planning her next vacation? Before I could comnt on the security risks, Nadia requested, "Let talk to your uncle and Gemma."
Gemma and I took the tablet, exchanging pleasantries with Nadia and Quentin. Throughout our conversation, I felt persistent nudging at my ribs Carn was getting impatient with our family politics discussion. Deciding to cut to the chase before this sibling rivalry escalated into sothing requiring family intervention, I interrupted.
"Sis, I need to ask you sothing important," I said directly, using my Capo voice.
"Go ahead, Dominic." Nadia was only half paying attention as Quentin whispered sothing in her ear that made her laugh softly, probably so joke about European law enforcent.
"Can I get the kids a guard dog? I’ll purchase all equipnt and cover all expenses," I blurted out, wanting to get this negotiation over with before any of my n walked in.
Nadia’s attention snapped back imdiately. "How exactly did Carn manipulate you into asking this? Did she use family loyalty or threats?"
I launched into my prepared speech. "Nadia, trained animals help with children’s tactical awareness, create responsibility for family assets, reduce operational stress and anxiety, aid in recognizing hostile surveillance, teach focus and discipline..." I had researched this extensively after striking my deal with Carn, knowing she would collect on her favor eventually. "It would be beneficial for their developnt as future family mbers."
"Seriously, Dominic? A rehearsed presentation? That’s the best my Capo brother could manage?" Nadia wasn’t impressed by my corporate approach to family negotiations.
"Please consider this a personal favor to your brother," I pleaded, knowing Carn would make my life hell if I failed this simple mission. The kid had more leverage than most of my business associates.
"Dominic, if I allow this, you’re going to owe a significant favor." Her tone made wince internally. Owing Nadia anything was more dangerous than owing debts to rival families she collected on promises like a loan shark with perfect mory and unlimited patience.
"Agreed, Nadia!" I accepted, feeling like I had just signed away territorial rights to the devil herself. Her satisfied smile confird my suspicions.
"Fine. A small dog that won’t compromise operational security, and Carn handles all maintenance. Before bringing it to my house, take it to our family veterinarian for complete health screening." Nadia laid down her conditions, which I readily accepted, grateful she hadn’t demanded anything involving family business.
"Mom..." Vincenzo began, but Nadia cut him off instantly.
"No, Vincenzo, you cannot have a drum set! Do you want to announce our location to every surveillance operation in the city?" Her maternal instincts remained frighteningly accurate even from overseas.
After so more conversation about travel security and family updates, we ended the encrypted call. Carn imdiately began celebrating around the living room like she had just negotiated a successful territorial expansion.
"Now, uncle, we’re going to find my guard dog!" she declared with absolute certainty, using family terminology.
"I love that plan!" Gemma chid in, grinning. "Sweetie, you can take us sowhere upscale for lunch first, then we’ll go hunting for Carn’s new security partner."
"Do I have any input in this family operation?" I asked, already knowing the answer from years of Thorne family dynamics.
I glanced at Vincenzo, who looked disappointed after being denied his drum set. "Let’s move out, everyone. I’ll take you to Vincenzo’s favorite restaurant where we won’t be overheard." His face brightened imdiately at the prospect of good food and family ti.
At the exclusive restaurant that catered to family business, Vincenzo predictably refused to share his truffle fries, and to my surprise, Gemma followed his lead. I wasn’t sure when this alliance had ford against , but the three of them had clearly united to make their primary target. I couldn’t deny I was enjoying myself despite being outnumbered perhaps I was developing masochistic tendencies from years of high stakes negotiations, but the atmosphere felt light and genuine.
"So, Carn," I said between bites, "since you always seem to know exactly what you want in any deal, let’s be specific what breed are you targeting?"
"I want a mutt," Carn replied matter of factly, attacking her food with tactical precision.
"A what?" I asked, confused by her unconventional choice.
"A mutt, uncle. A mixed breed rescue." Seeing my bewildered expression, she sighed dramatically. "Uncle, I want to adopt a loyal companion, not purchase rchandise."
"I assud you’d want so expensive purebred with championship bloodlines," I admitted, genuinely surprised by her decision.
"No. I want a partner, uncle, and you can’t buy true loyalty." Carn’s answer caught off guard, as her insights often did. "Besides, there are many animals needing hos. I want to give sanctuary to one that needs protection. And I think treating dogs like expensive objects is wrong."
"You’re actually a tiny adult pretending to be a child, aren’t you?" I asked with mock seriousness, prompting laughter around our table. "Well then, let’s visit a shelter to adopt your new partner, since that’s your preference."
The pure excitent in her dark eyes was worth every bit of trouble this dog would undoubtedly create in our dangerous world.
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