Chapter 252: Chapter 36 Unwanted Family Reunion

Dominic’s POV

I had spent an incredible night with my woman. Gemma was absolutely intoxicating, and this goddess had completely transformed my world. While I had been hesitant about some of her suggestions at first, her passionate response left us both exhausted when dawn finally broke through the windows of my penthouse.

I hated disturbing her rest, but we had committed to Sunday lunch at my sister’s estate. Honestly, I had no desire to go. Something gnawed at me, an unease I couldn’t shake about family gatherings. But I had given my word to Nadia, and backing out now would dishonor the promise I made to my sister.

When we arrived at the heavily guarded compound, Vincenzo bounded over with his usual enthusiasm, wrapping Gemma in a warm embrace and presenting her to everyone like his personal ambassador. That charming little soldier.

Gemma and Nadia connected instantly, diving into discussions about fashion trends while my niece Carmen listened with rapt attention, completely mesmerized by Gemma. My brother-in-law Gerard and I fell into our usual talk about legitimate business operations. He ran a successful supermarket chain that served as one of our family’s most profitable fronts. The atmosphere was relaxed and enjoyable until Vincenzo’s voice cut through our pleasant conversation.

"Oh come on. Not today." Vincenzo stared at the entrance with obvious displeasure.

"Always such a warm welcome from my beloved grandson." My father strolled through the security checkpoint as if he still had any right to enter Thorne family property.

I caught sight of Nadia’s expression, and her guilty flush told me everything. She had orchestrated this ambush perfectly. Apparently, she had kept Gerard in the dark too, since he clearly shared my disgust for the exile who donated his DNA to create me.

"How wonderful to have my children and grandchildren all gathered together." My father spoke as though he were still some respected family patriarch instead of a disgraced rat who nearly destroyed our operations.

"I cannot believe you set me up like this, Nadia." I shot an accusatory look at my sister, who at least had the grace to appear ashamed.

"Dominic, your sister simply wanted to reunite the family. Stop acting like some temperamental soldier." My father’s condescending tone made me want to put a bullet between his eyes.

"I am acting like a soldier, Marcus?" I asked with bitter amusement. "You are the one chasing after girls young enough to be your daughter, burning through money that I earn running legitimate businesses for this family. Because if I had left our operations in your incompetent hands, you would be begging for scraps in the gutter right now."

"You will show me respect, boy. I am still your father." My father’s voice rose to a shout.

"Oh, you remembered that detail now?" I replied with cutting sarcasm. "We are leaving, Gemma."

"Dominic, please, think about your nephews. Stay for them." Nadia placed her hands on my shoulders pleadingly. "I want my children to spend time with family, with all their family. It is just one meal."

"Dominic, I understand your feelings better than anyone, but please make this sacrifice for your sister." Gemma spoke softly and squeezed my hand reassuringly.

"Fine. But we are definitely having words later, Nadia." I conceded, and my sister beamed before going to welcome the family disgrace.

"And who might this gorgeous young woman be?" My father approached Gemma with predatory interest, causing her to instinctively step backward.

"She is my woman, Marcus. Keep your distance." I growled protectively, my hand instinctively moving toward my concealed weapon.

"A girlfriend? How refreshingly unexpected." My father smiled and moved closer to Gemma, forcing me to position myself between them. "Worried she might find your father more appealing?" He spoke with deliberate provocation.

"Do not even think about it." I warned him through gritted teeth.

Nobody knew the complete truth, but I was the fool who had introduced my father to the woman who destroyed our family. Gisele was barely out of her teens when we met at a family gathering and began seeing each other. I was completely infatuated and stupidly told my father all about her. I was young and still naive about what kind of snake my father truly was. When he expressed interest in meeting her, I arranged lunch for us all. Almost immediately, Gisele ended our relationship, and soon after, my father had abandoned our family operations to run off with her, taking crucial family secrets and contacts with him.

The guilt over my parents’ separation and the damage to family business consumed me. I felt like a complete fool for being manipulated by both Gisele and my father. She turned out to be nothing more than a calculating opportunist who recognized greater profit potential in my father’s position than in mine.

To make everything worse, my father actually tried to justify his betrayal by claiming it was natural for men in our line of work to take what they wanted. He insisted it was normal and acceptable for soldiers to eventually seek new territory, that every man would inevitably need to find fresh conquests to avoid becoming weak. My father was absolutely despicable. But his words planted a seed of terror in me about becoming like him, a worthless traitor with no loyalty. That fear kept me from getting seriously involved with anyone until Gemma appeared and consumed every thought in my head.

However, seeing him there, confronting her and challenging me, awakened something dark inside me. I was terrified of reliving that nightmare. It felt like being that vulnerable young recruit all over again. My father was smirking at me with satisfaction.

"Dad, what can I get you to drink?" Nadia sensed the dangerous tension and quickly guided my father to sit beside her husband.

"That exceptional single malt whiskey that your husband so generously stocks for me. Is that not right, son-in-law?" My father deliberately needled Gerard, who visibly cringed.

"I always provide quality in my home, Marcus, even for the lowest vermin." Gerard replied without humor.

Their mutual hatred ran deep, dating back to my sister’s wedding reception when Gerard discovered my father forcibly groping one of the bridesmaids in the bridal suite, nearly destroying the entire celebration. Gerard even helped us contain the scandal and accept my father’s pathetic excuse about being drunk. After numerous similar incidents, their relationship became open warfare.

When lunch was served, my father dominated every conversation with cutting remarks. Everyone present became targets except Carmen. But poor Vincenzo received the worst treatment, cruel jokes and malicious comments about being too soft and needing to toughen up for family business.

After the meal, I felt like a caged animal and pulled my sister into private conversation.

"For God’s sake, Nadia, can you not see how much damage this man causes all of us? I cannot stand him, your husband cannot stand him, your children cannot stand him." I confronted my sister directly.

"Dominic, he remains our father." That was her only response.

"Sister, that biological fact does not give him permission to make our lives hell."

"Discussing me, my dear son?" My father approached with that insufferable smugness he used to torment us.

"Absolutely, old man." I matched his sarcastic tone.

"Dominic, have you still not recovered from Gisele choosing me over you?" He asked, and my sister looked bewildered.

"Congratulations on that victory. Actually, I should thank you." I replied and turned away, but he grabbed my shoulder forcefully.

"Hold on." He commanded as if he had any authority over me. "I need to discuss money and my travel arrangements."

"Marcus, there is no additional money and no trip. Wait until the first when your pathetic allowance hits your account. Then you can disappear." I responded flatly.

"Dominic, I need cash now. I am completely broke. What your sister gave me barely covers my hotel expenses." He whined pathetically.

"Then return to your house in Los Angeles." I replied simply. "By the way, I am curious. I send you a substantial amount every month. How do you manage to spend it all and still have nothing? Could it be that your latest little plaything cleaned out your accounts?"

"That is none of your damn business." He turned pale, confirming my suspicion was accurate. "Listen, Dominic, I need to travel for relaxation, to clear my mind, and I want to take my new girlfriend on a European tour. Just release the funds I requested, and I will disappear from your life."

"Relaxation? Please, do not insult my intelligence. You are nothing but a parasite who contributes absolutely nothing. I have told you before and my position remains unchanged. You will not receive one penny beyond your monthly allowance from me." I stated firmly.

"Then we will be spending lots of quality time together." My father gave a cynical smile, and I walked away. I knew he would do everything possible to make my existence hell.

When I returned to the living room, Gemma was nowhere to be found. Carmen informed me she had gone to the restroom.

"I have no idea how to make your sister understand that your father only brings destruction. He takes everything he can from her, creates chaos in our family, then vanishes. She suffers every time he leaves." My brother-in-law vented his frustration.

"I do not understand Nadia either. Thank God she has you." I was genuinely grateful that my sister had found such a good and honest man who supported her completely.

"My mother-in-law is smart to travel whenever this scumbag appears."

"I am actually envious of her this time." I smiled at my brother-in-law. "Gerard, I am going to find Gemma. Sorry, but I want to leave."

"Go ahead. Vincenzo wants to come with you again." My nephew was looking like an eager soldier awaiting orders.

"I have no problem with that. We had an amazing week and he was perfect company." I smiled at my nephew, whose eyes lit up with excitement. "If you all agree, the kid stays with me."

My brother-in-law laughed. "I think it is better for him to go with you if that works. I do not like how your father is treating him. I will handle things with your sister later. Go pack your stuff, son."

Vincenzo raced ahead of me. As I approached the powder room, I heard my father’s voice. He had cornered Gemma against the wall. Her face was turned toward me, and he was standing far too close to her.

"I guarantee I am much better than him. Call me." He extended a card toward her.

"Honestly, you could not be better than him at anything." I heard Gemma respond as she pushed him away, walking toward me.

"Any problem here?" I asked with barely contained rage.

"Nothing I cannot handle." Gemma responded and took my hand. "Can we leave, please?"

"Yes, we just need to wait for Vincenzo." I replied.

"I am ready." Vincenzo appeared beside us carrying a bag and backpack.

"That was incredibly fast." I commented.

"I had already packed everything in case I needed to escape from this gentleman again." Vincenzo explained. "Look, uncle, I am not leaving your house until he is gone."

"Oh, I do not know, Vincenzo, maybe we will adopt you." Gemma joked with him, and they walked out arm in arm.

I approached my father and warned him coldly. "Stay away from her."

But naturally, he would want to test his power against me and would not leave town before causing me serious trouble.