Gemma’s POV
My Sunday afternoon was absolute chaos. Three dogs raced through our heavily secured compound like furry missiles, a giggling little girl chasing after them, a teenager who never stopped talking, a boyfriend whose hands seed permanently attached to , and sohow I still needed to prepare lunch for our entire crew.
Juggling all these elents while maintaining our family’s reputation for hospitality tested even my multitasking skills.
We’d invited our closest associates over for a poolside gathering at our fortified estate. I’d specifically asked Dominic to include Brenda and her sister Phoebe, and I’d extended an invitation to Zander who, thankfully, had managed to clear his dical schedule. It promised to be quite the assembly of Thorne family allies.
Xavier and Ruby arrived first in their armored sedan, followed by Caleb and Ivy with Max and their children in their convoy. The noise level instantly doubled as Max beca completely enchanted with our guard dogs, rolling around on the manicured lawn with Carn and the animals within minutes.
"Gemma, three attack dogs? Really?" Ivy surveyed our canine security detail with amused disbelief.
I laughed, adjusting the concealed holster beneath my casual dress. "So people have babies, others have trained protection. Though technically only Amber belongs to . The other two are Carn and Vincenzo’s choices."
"Does Nadia know about this expanded security asure?" Zoe appeared behind us with perfect timing, her intelligence operative instincts always sharp.
"She knows about one small dog. But Carn and Vincenzo have Dominic wrapped around their fingers—they get whatever tactical advantage they want," I explained with a sigh.
Zoe’s eyes glead with anticipation. "I can’t wait to see Nadia tear him apart when she returns from her European business trip!"
Soon our compound was bustling with family—we were just waiting on Brenda, Phoebe, and Zander to complete our inner circle. The n gravitated toward the outdoor kitchen with drinks while the won requested a tour of our secured residence, which I happily provided.
"Now you just need to fill this fortress with little soldiers!" Ivy remarked as we finished surveying our defensive positions.
"Not so fast, Ivy!" I grinned. "I’m perfectly content borrowing your little warriors for now."
We returned to the terrace just as Vincenzo arrived with Brenda and Phoebe under escort. I hurried over to greet them, noting how our security protocols had relaxed everyone into the family atmosphere.
"Girls! How wonderful to have you in our ho!" I embraced them warmly before introducing them to our assembled crew.
Once we settled around the reinforced table near our secured pool area, Brenda spoke up, her voice gentle but concerned. "Gemma, could you maybe offer so guidance to my stubborn sister?"
"What’s the situation, Phoebe?" I turned my attention to her, imdiately recognizing the haunted expression I’d seen too often in our world.
Phoebe sighed heavily. "It’s Hunter. I let myself fall for him again, and he destroyed . Again."
"Wait, Hunter from Xavier’s crew?" Ruby interjected, her face darkening.
"The sa one," I confird, watching Ruby’s expression turn murderous. "What did he do this ti, Phoebe?"
"After you two ended things, he contacted ," Phoebe explained, staring at her hands. "We went out several tis, and I got swept away. Then we ran into each other at a family gathering—one he’d deliberately kept from—and he acted like he’d never seen before. He was there with another woman from a rival family."
"What a complete waste of oxygen!" Ruby snarled.
"The worst part? He called the next day acting normal, wanting to et up. When I confronted him, he had the audacity to say we weren’t exclusive, were just ’having fun,’ and he could associate with whoever he wanted without explanations." Phoebe blinked back tears.
"What an absolute piece of garbage!" Zoe’s eyes flashed with lethal intent.
"I ended it imdiately. Told him this arrangent wasn’t acceptable and to stay away from . But it still hurts," Phoebe admitted.
Zoe leaned forward, determination radiating from her like heat. "You know what you need? A man who actually values you! We’re going to teach you so things. Stay close to us, and you’ll see results!"
"And there she goes—Phoebe just beca Zoe’s new mission," Ivy laughed knowingly.
"Don’t worry, Phoebe," Lila reassured her with a gentle touch. "I was her last project—completely hopeless—but look at now! She performs miracles."
"ZANDER!" Dominic’s commanding voice announced our final arrival.
"Zander?" the won asked in unison, curiosity evident.
"Zander is my stepfather’s son from his previous marriage. We grew up like siblings," I explained. "Sohow, he and Dominic beca childhood allies and treat each other like blood brothers."
"Wow, Gemma, he’s absolutely stunning!" Nora comnted appreciatively.
"He is. Handso, honorable, and a trauma surgeon. I always say Zander is practically flawless," I replied, watching him approach our protected gathering.
"Sweet mother of God! Are all the world’s most dangerous won assembled here today? Why didn’t you warn , Beautiful?" Zander greeted us with his characteristic charm, his dical bag discretely positioned for any ergency.
"I was protecting you from them—they’re all claid. Didn’t want them abandoning their n for you," I teased.
"Not all of us are claid," Zoe interjected with a predatory grin, gesturing toward Phoebe. "Phoebe’s completely available."
Zander’s gaze shifted from to Phoebe, and I noticed sothing change in his expression—a spark of genuine interest I hadn’t seen before.
"Allow to introduce myself properly." Zander moved toward her with the confidence of soone accustod to life-or-death situations, extending his hand. Phoebe took it with shy hesitation. "I’m Zander. The honor is entirely mine, Phoebe." He brought her hand to his lips, causing her cheeks to flush.
"The honor is mine, Zander," Phoebe responded, uncharacteristically timid.
They connected imdiately. Zander gave her his complete attention, and soon they were laughing like longti confidants. When evening approached, Zander offered to escort Phoebe and Brenda ho in his secured vehicle, and they departed together under our watchful protection.
"Auntie," Vincenzo settled beside on the couch after everyone had been safely escorted out.
"What’s on your mind, Vincenzo?" I rested my head on his shoulder, exhausted but satisfied with our successful gathering.
"I know you’ve ntioned Zander is nearly perfect and all that, but I noticed how focused he was on Phoebe," Vincenzo began cautiously.
"I noticed that too," I admitted with a small sigh.
"I think he’s genuinely honorable."
"I think so too."
"But Phoebe’s incredible. She’s my girlfriend’s sister. I worry about her, especially after what that snake Hunter did."
"Don’t even ntion him. Hunter was absolutely toxic to her."
"So I’d hate for her to experience sothing like that again."
"I understand completely. Listen, Vincenzo, Zander is exceptional and would never manipulate Phoebe if sothing develops between them. He’s marriage material—he doesn’t deceive, doesn’t play gas, doesn’t engage casually, and he’s always direct and honest," I assured him, feeling his shoulders relax.
"That’s reassuring! If that’s true, I’m rooting for them. Phoebe’s wonderful, but she’s such a romantic—believes in perfect love stories. Zander seems like the closest thing to that ideal," Vincenzo said thoughtfully.
"You’re quite the gentleman yourself, Vincenzo! I see how respectfully you treat people and how your face lights up when you look at Brenda," I pointed out, making him smile.
"I really care about her, Auntie. But she’s my first serious relationship, I’m her first boyfriend... I don’t know..."
"Out with it, kid!" I knew sothing was troubling him.
"Do you think it could last forever? Could she be the love of my life?"
"What does your heart tell you?" I countered.
"I want her to be."
"Then let ti provide that answer. As long as it feels right and she continues to be special to you, just let things develop naturally. You’re both young, but plenty of couples start dating as teenagers and stay together for life," I reassured him, and he nodded in agreent.
I found Vincenzo’s youthful uncertainties and discoveries endearing. It brought joy to be part of his journey—he was definitely growing into an exceptional young man.
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