Chapter 262: Chapter 46 Confronting the Parasite

Zoe’s POV

Something gnawed at me that afternoon, an unease I couldn’t shake. The Thorne family’s front operations felt like a powder keg since Caleb and Ivy’s brutal separation had sent shockwaves through our inner circle. We’d all been walking on razor’s edge, desperate to help our blood brothers navigate this disaster without triggering a war within the family.

Ivy had finally decided to fight for her place beside the Don after days of exile, which should have brought me relief. Caleb seemed willing to hear her out too. Yet peace eluded me in this world where betrayal meant death.

Dominic had become a ghost recently. Jumpy, distracted, barely present during family meetings. I’d attributed his behavior to his exiled father’s recent harassment campaigns, giving him the space I thought he needed. But my instincts screamed that something deeper was eating at him, something that could compromise our operations. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Gemma worried me too. Despite her claims of adjusting well to life under our protection and her excitement about the safe house Caleb had secured for her, shadows lingered beneath her brave facade. She’d been Ivy’s anchor during the separation, caring for her with unwavering devotion, but exhaustion showed in the tight lines around her eyes. That surprise she’d mentioned planning for Dominic had disappeared from conversation entirely.

My patience finally snapped. I marched to Dominic’s office in the back of our legitimate shipping company and knocked firmly on the reinforced door.

"Dominic, we need to talk."

"Of course, Zo. Come in." His response was automatic, his attention glued to his encrypted phone like it held family secrets.

"What’s got you so twisted up?" I settled into the chair across from his mahogany desk, noting the tension in his shoulders.

"Twisted up about what?" The deflection was weak, his voice hollow.

"That expression you’ve been wearing for days." I gestured at his face. "Like you’re expecting a hit order with your name on it."

"Nothing serious. Just strange getting summoned to the Social Union. Their manager wants to see me immediately about my father’s gambling debts."

"Uh-oh." I couldn’t suppress a grin. "What rules did the old bastard break this time? The Union only calls when members step way out of line or owe serious money."

"Always assuming the worst, aren’t you, Zoe?"

"Your reputation precedes you both!" I shot back, but his smile never touched his eyes.

"What did you really come here for?" he asked, attempting to redirect.

"The truth about whatever’s eating you alive." I watched color drain from his face like blood from a fresh wound.

"I don’t know what you mean." His stammer betrayed him completely.

"There it is!" I pointed accusingly. "That panic in your eyes. What family business are you hiding?"

"Zoe, I..." He looked ready to collapse, words failing him entirely.

Mia’s dramatic entrance saved him from confession. She burst through the door, breathless and flustered, her usual composure shattered.

"Dominic, your father is causing chaos in the lobby," she announced. "Our security team is struggling to contain him without making a scene."

Dominic’s face transformed with murderous fury. He rubbed his temples like they might explode from the pressure of containing his rage.

"This pathetic excuse for a man won’t leave our family in peace!" His voice cracked with barely controlled violence. He grabbed his secure phone, punching numbers with lethal precision. "Send two armed guards to escort Marcus Frost to my office. Directly here, and make sure he doesn’t touch anything."

After slamming the phone down, he turned to us with exhausted eyes that had seen too much bloodshed.

"You don’t have to witness this circus. Feel free to leave before he arrives and starts running his mouth."

"Not a chance." I squeezed his hand firmly. "I’m staying to help you handle this parasite."

Soon, our security arrived with Marcus Frost, who was ranting like a desperate addict. Dominic met them at reception, keeping the guards close with hands on their concealed weapons.

"What do you want now, Marcus?" Dominic’s voice carried the forced calm of a predator.

"You know exactly what I want, you ungrateful brat!" Marcus’s words dripped with the entitlement of a man who’d forgotten his place. "My rightful cut of the family business!"

"And I’ve told you repeatedly that exiled members get nothing." Dominic’s response was steel-cold. "You lost those privileges when you betrayed blood."

"I’ll destroy you, you arrogant child. Always acting like the heir, but you’re nothing without the Thorne name!" Marcus’s desperation was breathtaking. "I’ll strip everything from you, and I’ve already begun." His smile was pure malice.

"What’s he talking about, Dominic?" Alarm bells rang in my head.

"Nothing worth discussing." Dominic dismissed it quickly. "Leave now before I have you disappeared permanently."

"I’m not going anywhere! I’ll seize control of your operations!" Marcus’s voice rose to a shriek. "Think you can match my connections? You’re delusional. I’ll manipulate your sister, convince her to sign over her inheritance rights. She’s so desperate for daddy’s approval, the pathetic fool. With her backing, I’ll claim a place at the family table and turn the other Capos against you. When you least expect it, I’ll have you cast out like the bastard you are."

The elevator chimed softly. Nadia stepped out just as her father’s cruel words hit the air. Tears streamed down her face as the truth shattered her world. I felt murderous rage toward this disgusting waste of oxygen. Dominic’s eyes locked on his sister, measuring his words carefully, so I took charge.

"You’re absolutely despicable," I said, my voice cutting like a blade. "Calling you a man insults actual soldiers everywhere. You’re nothing but a parasitic leech. Thank God Dominic and Nadia have an incredible mother who raised them with honor, ensuring they’re nothing like you."

"Who do you think you are, you little whore?" Marcus turned his venom on me. "Rich family or not, you’re just another Capo’s plaything!"

"Keep barking, you pathetic creature! Your threats bounce off me because your word is worthless!" I stepped closer, invading his space with predatory confidence. "Listen carefully to what happens next. Security will dump you in the harbor, and you’ll never approach our territory again. You’ll stop harassing your children and grandchildren immediately, because one more stunt from you and that protection money we’ve been paying to keep you breathing disappears forever. You’ll be begging for scraps in back alleys. Don’t test me - the Morgan family has the power to make it happen! UNDERSTOOD?" I shouted the last word directly in his face.

"Who do you think you are?" He glared with impotent rage.

"Zoe Miller. I’m sure you’ve heard the name in your gambling circles." My confidence was absolute. "My family can make you disappear completely. Want to find out how?"

"You’re insane!" Marcus shrank back.

"Completely! Just ask anyone who’s crossed our interests. Another reason not to test me. The Morgans will crush you like the cockroach you are." I knew my family’s reach in both legitimate and underground circles.

Nadia walked over, tears still falling, looking at her father with complete horror and heartbreak.

"I never wanted to believe the terrible things the family said about you. I defended you because you’re my blood." Her voice broke with genuine pain. "But what I witnessed here proves you’re worse than anyone imagined. Never contact me or my family again. My father died the day you betrayed us - you’re just someone I despise now."

She turned toward Dominic’s office, but the monster couldn’t resist one final cruelty.

I grabbed his collar and slammed him against the wall, my hand around his throat with practiced precision.

"Don’t you dare!" I hissed through clenched teeth. "Dominic, can I have this garbage removed?"

"Please do, Zoe. Thank you for protecting our family." Dominic walked after his sister.

"Throw this piece of trash in the river," I told security. "If he returns, eliminate the problem quietly. Spread the word - he’s banned from all Thorne territory permanently."

The guards dragged Marcus away as Mia appeared with premium whiskey and glasses.

"Coffee won’t calm anyone’s nerves after that kind of family drama," she said wisely.

We found the siblings embracing on Dominic’s office couch. Mia poured four shots, and we toasted before downing the burning liquid. The second round helped ease the tension further.

Nadia’s nervous laughter was infectious, and soon we were all releasing the stress through shared relief.

"Thank you, Zoe. You were magnificent," Nadia said, grasping my hand.

"I’m sorry you both endured that horror show," I replied sincerely.

"It’s better this way. Now I see his true nature before I could make a terrible mistake with family loyalty." Nadia looked at Dominic apologetically. "Cut off his protection money if you want."

"Don’t apologize, Nadia. But I won’t cut the payments yet. We’re not like him, as Zoe said." Dominic squeezed her hand gently.

"What brought you here today?" Dominic asked.

"I needed to discuss something with you about Gemma, but not now. I can’t handle anything else today."

"Of course. The Social Union called me in - do you know why?"

Nadia shook her head. "I should go. My driver’s waiting downstairs with the armored car."

After they left together, Mia and I sat in the sudden quiet.

"This day has been absolutely insane," I said, and Mia’s laughter filled the room.