Gemma’s POV

I bolted through my apartment door in the Thorne family’s protected territory, desperate to escape before Dominic could convince me to come back to his private compound with him. My body was still humming with need, every nerve ending alive from his touch. He was everything that made my pulse race - devastatingly handsome with those dangerous green eyes, charming beyond reason, and lethally sexy in the way only a high-ranking Capo could be. The scent of his expensive cologne still clung to my skin, mixed with the faint metallic smell of gunpowder that always seemed to follow him, making it impossible to think straight. But despite every instinct screaming at me to give in to the most powerful man in Port Serenity’s underground, I had to resist. My manager had switched my schedule last minute, and I needed to be at the boutique early tomorrow morning to help with a shipment that couldn’t draw unwanted attention.

I headed straight for the bathroom, hoping a cold shower would extinguish the fire burning through my veins. The icy water did little to cool my heated thoughts of Dominic’s calloused hands on my body, his lips against my neck as he whispered dangerous promises about what he’d do to anyone who tried to hurt me. I was toweling off when my phone buzzed against the nightstand. Dominic’s name lit up the screen, and I could practically feel his presence through the device.

Dominic: "You smell incredible. Even better than I dreamed when I’m counting money in my office."

My lips curved into a ridiculous smile as I stared at the message. Sleep was clearly not happening anytime soon with a mafia Capo texting me, so I decided to play with fire a little longer. I settled back against my pillows and typed back innocently, knowing full well that Dominic Frost was not a man who appreciated being teased.

Gemma: "I have no idea what you mean."

Dominic: "The little present you left behind in my armored car."

Gemma: "What present?"

Dominic: "That delicate piece of fabric you conveniently forgot on my leather seat."

Gemma: "Oh, that tiny thing that barely counts as underwear."

Dominic: "That’s exactly what I’m talking about. Do you realize what you’ve done to me, Gemma? I had a meeting with the underbosses and couldn’t focus."

Gemma: "Made you tired from all that criminal enterprise management?"

Dominic: "Adorable guess, but not even close. Try again, beautiful."

Gemma: "Confused about your next territory expansion?"

Dominic: "Getting warmer. I’m aching for you, Gemma. I want you naked in my bed at the compound where I can keep you safe. And I know you want the same thing. When are you going to stop playing these dangerous games with a man like me?"

Gemma: "I’m not playing games. I have an early shift tomorrow and actually need some rest before dealing with customers who might be running surveillance."

Dominic: "You could rest here with me. My security team would make sure no one disturbs us."

Gemma: "Would you actually let me sleep, Dominic? Be honest with me."

Dominic: "You got me there. I definitely wouldn’t let you sleep. Not when you’re finally where you belong. You need a new job, and I can make that happen with one phone call."

Gemma: "I already explained why I won’t let you mix your business with my life."

Dominic: "But I want to mix everything with you. My empire, my bed, my future."

Gemma: "For now, you’ll have to settle for your imagination and whatever illegal activities keep you busy."

Dominic: "You think I can sleep in this condition when I should be planning tomorrow’s collections?"

Gemma: "What condition exactly?"

Dominic: "Rock hard and throbbing. Even an ice-cold shower in my marble bathroom didn’t help."

Gemma: "Maybe try counting the family’s profits instead of thinking about me."

Dominic: "Very funny. I’d rather use that smart mouth of yours for something much more satisfying."

Gemma: "I’d love to take you between my lips and drive the big bad Capo crazy."

Dominic: "Christ, Gemma. You’re killing me here. I feel like a horny teenager instead of a man who controls half the city."

Gemma: "I wish I could watch the dangerous Dominic Frost lose control."

My phone immediately started ringing with a video call. Dominic’s face appeared on screen for just a moment, his green eyes dark with desire, before the camera shifted downward. My breath caught in my throat as I took in the sight of him - hard and magnificent, my panties wrapped around his impressive length as his hand moved in deliberate strokes. Even in this intimate moment, he looked like the powerful predator he was, and I felt my mouth water with the need to taste him.

Two could play this dangerous game. I angled my phone to capture myself as I settled back against my pillows, letting the most feared man in Port Serenity see exactly what his little show was doing to me. My fingers found their destination, and I heard him groan deeply when he realized what I was doing. The sound sent electricity shooting through me, and I couldn’t hold back my own moans as I watched him pleasure himself.

The sight of Dominic losing control was intoxicating. His breathing grew ragged, his movements more urgent, and I could see the tension in his powerful shoulders. I felt myself climbing higher, my vision blurring as the pressure built. When I whispered that I was close, he cursed in a way that would make his enemies tremble and picked up his pace. The wave crashed over me suddenly, stealing my breath and making me cry out his name like a prayer.

Through my haze, I heard Dominic’s voice rough with need, telling me he couldn’t last much longer. I focused on the screen, watching him come apart with a groan that made me want him all over again. His chest heaved as he caught his breath, muscles flexing with each inhale like the predator he was even in vulnerability.

He lifted the phone to his face, his eyes dark with satisfaction and hunger. "Gemma, I need you to understand how badly I want you. When you’re finally in my bed at the compound, it’s going to be explosive."

"I want you just as much, Dominic. We need to figure out when we can make this happen safely." I smiled, still feeling the aftershocks of my release. "But right now, I really do need sleep."

"I’m getting you out of that boutique job where you’re exposed," he said with the determination of a man accustomed to getting his way.

"I’m actively looking for something else, but until then, I’m stuck there."

"Work for me instead. I’ll keep you safe." 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"I already gave you my answer about mixing with family business. Don’t push it." He looked frustrated but didn’t argue further, probably remembering that his usual intimidation tactics wouldn’t work on me.

"Can I see you tomorrow?"

"Call me when I finish my shift."

"Perfect. Sweet dreams, gorgeous."

"You too, handsome."

I ended the call and felt sleep tugging at me immediately, my body finally relaxed. My dreams were filled with images of Dominic - his hands exploring my body, his mouth claiming mine while he whispered promises about protecting me from every threat in this dangerous city. I knew he had a reputation with women, Zoe had made that crystal clear during her warnings about getting involved with the Thorne family’s inner circle. A serious relationship wasn’t in the cards for us, not when his world was filled with violence and betrayal. But we could definitely have some incredible fun together. I drifted off planning exactly how to make that happen.

I was folding clothes at work when Zoe’s text came through. Ivy needed her friends, and we were meeting at some upscale establishment near the mall. The Social Union was notorious in Port Serenity - officially a private club, but everyone knew it was where the city’s most dangerous men conducted business and entertained themselves. I’d never been to a place that exclusive before, so curiosity won out. I texted back that I’d head over after my shift and let my mom know I’d be out with the girls.

Nora and Ruby had already claimed a table when I arrived. The Social Union was even more impressive than I’d imagined - all sleek lines and ambient lighting, with an undercurrent of danger that made my skin prickle. We caught up while waiting for Zoe and Ivy. When they finally showed up, Ivy looked better than she had in days since her troubles with Caleb. She’d decided to forgive him, completely smitten despite everything that came with loving a mafia don.

Zoe suggested we check out the game room, and the moment we walked in, Nora spotted the guys at a corner table. They were surrounded by a flock of women vying for their attention, including several I recognized as daughters of rival families trying to form alliances. My blood boiled when I saw some platinum blonde pressing her chest practically into Dominic’s face. After everything we’d shared not long ago, here he was letting some random woman throw herself at him like he wasn’t the same man who’d just told me I belonged in his bed.

I wanted to march over there and stake my claim, but Ruby had a better idea. She’d spotted her brother at another table with his friends and suggested we make those idiots jealous instead. It was brilliant, and potentially dangerous given the territorial nature of these men. Ruby assured us her brother and his crew would be more than happy to help with our little scheme.

Parker introduced us to his group - five gorgeous men who were charming, funny, and clearly interested. They immediately invited us to join them, showering us with compliments and attention while carefully avoiding any behavior that might start a war with the Thorne family. Ruby’s plan worked like magic. Within minutes, I could feel eyes burning into me from across the room. When I glanced over, Dominic was staring at me with an expression that could melt steel and probably had in literal situations. Game on.