Dominic’s POV
"Boss, playing like this, we’ll never take down Michael’s crew!" Jude groaned as he watched Caleb get absolutely demolished by Vincenzo in the shooting simulation ga they were running on the underground network.
I was only half paying attention to the tactical training session, my mind elsewhere when Xavier turned to with that calculating look he reserved for family business.
"So, Dominic, have you spoken to Gemma about what we discussed at the Social Union?" he asked casually, though I could tell everyone in our inner circle was suddenly interested in my answer.
"Not yet," I admitted, running a hand through my hair. "Gemma wasn’t feeling great today. I figured it would be better to wait until she’s feeling more herself before bringing up anything involving family operations."
Xavier nodded approvingly. "Smart move." Then he shifted his interrogation to another target. "And you, Martinez? Any progress with your situation?"
Daniel’s expression imdiately fell. "It’s getting worse by the day. I think Lila is starting to suspect sothing about my real work," he confessed, looking genuinely distressed. "I’m starting to think this whole cover story is going to explode in my face."
"I warned you," Xavier said with no sympathy whatsoever. "But you wouldn’t listen to keeping civilians completely in the dark."
"What am I supposed to do now?" Daniel asked, sounding desperate.
I stepped in with the simplest solution. "Co clean about the police work. Tell Lila everything you can without compromising family security before she finds out so other way."
The look of pure terror on Daniel’s face was almost comical. "What if she dumps ? I love that woman more than I ever thought possible. I can’t lose her."
Finn reached over and patted his shoulder sympathetically. "That’s exactly why you need to fix this fast. Then pray she’s forgiving enough to accept what you do for the family."
"Easy for you to say," Daniel grumbled. "You’re practically perfect. You never ss up operations."
Finn’s laughter filled the private room at the back of our legitimate business front, and I took the opportunity to change the subject.
"Speaking of perfect people, Finn, is your uncle serious about my mom? Like, really serious?" I asked, noticing Vincenzo perking up at the ntion of our mother.
Finn held up a finger as if delivering an important lesson. "According to Uncle Andrew himself—and I quote—’it’s not a casual arrangent, it’s a serious relationship between two mature adults who know exactly what they want.’ My uncle is head over heels for your mom, Dominic. If anything, she’s more likely to break his heart than the other way around."
His words genuinely relieved . Knowing Mom had found soone who truly valued and adored her, especially soone outside our dangerous world, was all I could ask for.
The next day, Ruby arrived at Xavier’s heavily secured compound, giving Vincenzo and our cue to head ho. I was eager to see Gemma again—even a day apart felt too long when you lived in a world where enemies could strike at any mont. When we arrived at our fortified estate, we found Gemma and Carn lounging by the pool, chatting animatedly about Carn’s sleepover at one of the family safe houses. My niece was practically glowing with happiness from her ti with the other protected family children.
"Boys!" Gemma called out with that smile that never failed to take my breath away. "Ready to finally beat Lila at those tactical simulations?"
"Auntie, they’re terrible," Vincenzo declared, dramatically throwing himself onto a poolside lounger. "They’ll never beat Lila at anything."
Gemma’s eyes sparkled with amusent. "Why don’t you two change and join us by the pool? It’s too hot to be reviewing security footage indoors anyway."
The suggestion was perfect for the scorching day. "Great idea. Co on, Vincenzo," I said, heading inside our climate-controlled fortress with my nephew trailing behind.
After changing into swim trunks, I went to the master bathroom cabinet for sunscreen. That’s when I noticed sothing tucked away in the corner—a small brown paper package that looked hastily hidden behind the dical supplies we kept for ergencies. Curious, I picked it up and opened it.
My heart stopped.
I emptied the contents onto the marble sink counter and stared in disbelief. Three pregnancy tests. All used. All positive.
POSITIVE.
My mind went blank for a second before erupting into chaos. I started laughing nervously, pacing the spacious bathroom floor. Then reality hit —the girls had all slept over last night for security reasons. This could belong to any of them. But God, how I hoped they were Gemma’s!
Not knowing what to do, I called Xavier on our encrypted line.
"Missing already?" he answered teasingly.
"Xavier, if you’re near the redhead, step away from Ruby," I warned, keeping my voice low.
There was silence for a mont. "Alright, Dominic, you’re scaring . What’s going on?"
"I found pregnancy tests hidden in the bathroom cabinet. Three of them. All positive. What do I do?" My voice was shaking.
"Wait—are you going to be a father?" Xavier asked excitedly, and I could practically see him ready to spread the news throughout the entire organization.
"I don’t know, Xavier!" I cut him off quickly. "All the girls were here last night for safety protocols. It could be any of them."
"With our luck, it’s probably Ivy giving Caleb baby number six," Xavier laughed.
"For God’s sake, they already have five heirs!" I hissed, horrified at the thought of managing security for even more Thorne children.
"So what’s your plan?" Xavier pressed.
"That’s why I’m calling you on a secure line! Should I ask Gemma about it? Or pretend I never saw them?"
"If you don’t ask, I will," Xavier insisted. "I can’t just sit around waiting for soone to make an announcent that affects our entire family structure. Ask her now—I need to know!"
"I’ll ask and call you back."
"No way! I want to know now. What if it’s Ruby’s? That would change everything for our operations!"
"Xavier, I’ll call when I know sothing."
"You’re impossible!" he complained. "Fine, you have a little while longer before I co over there myself."
"I’ll call when I know," I repeated and hung up.
My hands were sweaty, my heart pounding as I carefully placed the tests back in their package. Taking a deep breath, I headed back to the pool area, wondering how exactly I was going to approach this conversation that could potentially change not just our relationship, but our entire position within the family hierarchy.
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