Dominic’s POV

I helped Nadia settle into the passenger seat, my concern for her weighing heavily on my mind. The confrontation with our father had shattered something inside her today. Despite all his cruelty and exile from the Thorne family, she still harbored feelings for that worthless traitor, and I could see how deeply his latest betrayal had wounded her.

As I walked toward my own car, I pulled out my phone and dialed Gerard. He answered almost immediately, and I quickly explained everything that had transpired. His voice immediately shifted to one of protective urgency as he promised to head home right away to be with her. That eased some of the tension in my chest. I assured him I would check on them both later tonight.

Sliding behind the wheel, I started the engine and headed toward the Social Union. Something dark twisted in my gut as I drove through the city streets. Whatever Ryder needed to discuss with me, I had a feeling it was going to make this already hellish day even worse.

The familiar sight of the establishment’s discreet entrance did nothing to calm my nerves. I parked in my designated spot behind the reinforced steel barriers where family members conducted business away from prying eyes. The exhaustion from dealing with family drama weighed on my shoulders as I walked through the security checkpoint. Maybe after handling whatever crisis awaited me, I could find some temporary escape at the private bar.

Ryder was already waiting in the management office when I arrived. His usually confident demeanor seemed strained as he rose to greet me with the formal respect due to a Capo.

"Mr. Frost, thank you for coming so quickly. Can I get you anything? Whiskey, perhaps, or something stronger from the private reserves?"

"I’m fine, Ryder. Just tell me what this is about." I settled into the chair across from his desk, bracing myself for bad news.

His expression grew uncomfortable as he cleared his throat. "I’m afraid it concerns your father, Marcus Frost. Since you oversee family disciplinary matters for this territory and he’s been operating under your former protection, we’re required to notify you of any serious incidents."

A familiar surge of anger rose in my chest. "What has that piece of trash done now?"

"Your father has been engaging in predatory behavior toward several young women here at the establishment. We have documented five formal complaints and one additional incident that wasn’t officially reported but required our security team’s intervention."

Each word made my stomach turn with disgust. "Six incidents total. Why wasn’t the one incident reported? And why should I be aware of it specifically?"

Ryder’s discomfort became more obvious as he fidgeted with some documents on his desk. I pressed him harder. "Mr. Conway, I need the complete story."

"This won’t be easy to hear," he said with a heavy sigh. "We have surveillance footage of all incidents. Let me show you the unreported case first, and then you can decide if you want to review the others."

He turned his computer screen toward me and loaded the video file. The timestamp showed multiple camera angles, all in crystal-clear high definition with audio. My hands clenched into fists as I watched the scene unfold.

The footage showed Gemma emerging from the ladies’ lounge when Marcus appeared and cornered her against the wall. She was clearly trying to escape his grasp, telling him to back off, but he persisted in his assault. If our security team hadn’t intervened when they did, I couldn’t imagine how far he might have gone. In the background of the shot, I could make out Beatrix holding up her phone.

The date and time stamp matched exactly with when Beatrix had sent me that damning photograph. My vision blurred as rage and shame crashed over me in equal measure. The blood roared in my ears as the full scope of what had happened became clear.

Ryder quietly placed a glass of aged bourbon in front of me. I downed the amber liquid in one burning gulp, trying to steady my nerves enough to speak.

"Do you have footage showing what happened before this? Who they were with?"

"I anticipated you’d ask for that." He pulled up another video file from the dining area.

The new footage revealed Gemma sitting at a table with her friends near the entrance, her back turned to the rest of the dining room. Marcus sat with a group of associates further back, including Roman and Beatrix’s father. Beatrix occupied a table in the center with other women from connected families. When Gemma excused herself to use the restroom, Marcus approached Beatrix’s table and spoke with her briefly before following Gemma out.

"There’s one more segment you need to see," Ryder said grimly. The next clip showed Marcus attacking Gemma in the background while Beatrix deliberately photographed the scene. "After our security removed your father from the establishment that evening, he had a conversation with Miss Cross on his way out."

The final video showed Beatrix and Marcus sharing satisfied smiles as she showed him something on her phone screen.

They had orchestrated the entire setup, and I had fallen for it completely. The betrayal felt like a physical blow to my chest. My throat constricted as I realized what I had done to Gemma based on their lies. How could she ever forgive me for being such a fool?

"Would you like to review the other incidents?" Ryder asked quietly.

I couldn’t lift my head to look at him. "Are they similar to this one?"

"There are variations in severity. One victim was forcibly kissed, another was groped, and in the most serious case, he lifted a girl’s dress and touched her intimately."

"I assume they want to press charges through our channels," I said, my voice thick with disgust.

"Yes, sir. The most recent victim is a teenage girl and the daughter of a judge. The others range from eighteen to twenty and have agreed not to involve outside authorities."

"Let them report it," I said without hesitation. "This man is a predator who’s been attacking women in our establishment. Why did you wait until six cases to contact me?"

"We were trying to handle it discretely because of your family connection."

"There’s no discretion when it comes to sexual assault. This man is despicable," I said firmly. "What action is the establishment taking?"

"We’re levying a substantial penalty."

"That’s it?" I couldn’t hide my disbelief. "Fine, I’ll pay the penalty, but I also want him permanently banned from these premises and blacklisted from all family-affiliated establishments."

"Well, sir, you could revoke his access privileges..."

"You’re not understanding me," I interrupted. "I want him expelled completely. Banned for life. He should never be allowed to set foot in any Thorne family territory again under any circumstances."

"Are you certain about this decision, sir?"

"Absolutely. And I want copies of all the surveillance footage."

I spent some time working through the arrangements with Ryder and the establishment’s legal counsel. I paid the penalty in full and signed documentation ensuring Marcus Frost would be permanently banned from all family territories and that they would support any victims who chose to pursue justice through our internal channels. The document also confirmed that I would receive copies of all relevant surveillance videos.

When I finally left that office, I had no desire to remain at the establishment. I walked through the secured parking area in a daze, my mind reeling with everything I had learned. I needed to find Gemma and somehow make this right.

As I approached my car, I spotted the last person I wanted to see leaning against it with a satisfied grin plastered across her face.

"Baby! I’ve missed you so much!" Beatrix launched herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck.

I immediately pried her arms away and stepped back, revulsion coursing through me. She looked genuinely confused by my reaction.

"That was low, even for you, Beatrix." My voice carried pure ice.

"What are you talking about, baby?" She still had the audacity to play innocent.

"Did you forget your little conspiracy with my father to destroy my relationship with Gemma?"

"Baby, I didn’t do anything wrong."

"Oh, Beatrix, you both forgot that we upgraded our entire surveillance system recently. There are cameras everywhere now. I saw very interesting footage of you and my father planning the whole thing."

"Dominic, your father convinced me to help him..." she started to explain.

"Save your breath, Beatrix." I turned to walk away, then decided she needed one final warning. "Just so you know, I’m going to tell your father exactly what you’ve been up to."

"Dominic, no... Dominic, please don’t do that." She hurried after me desperately.

I got into my car and rolled down the window to deliver my final words to her.

"Stay away from me. Don’t speak to me. Pretend I don’t exist, and if you see me coming, leave before I notice you, or I’ll ensure your family pays the price for your betrayal."

I started the engine and peeled out of the parking area. I was heading to Caleb’s office when my phone rang. Jude’s name appeared on the screen.

"Dominic, emergency at Xavier’s house." Jude sounded agitated.

"What now, Jude? I’m not in the mood for more complications."

"You need to hear this! Scott figured out who Caleb’s mystery woman is. Xavier wants everyone over there immediately."

"Are you serious?" My exhaustion momentarily forgotten, I felt a surge of interest.

"Dead serious. Get over here now."

I made a sharp U-turn at the next intersection and headed toward Xavier’s house. After everything that had happened today, at least Caleb might finally get some answers about the woman who had been haunting him.