Frost’s POV

I returned to my office at Zenith Systems and dispatched Vincenzo to the upscale shopping district with my black card, instructing him to purchase everything from my carefully curated list plus a special gift for my niece. Handing over that card to a young family associate would undoubtedly prove costly, but I desperately needed his assistance in this delicate operation.

In the late afternoon, I approached Zoe with a fabricated story about a splitting headache from reviewing our latest money laundering reports, requesting permission to leave the family business early. She granted it reluctantly, her sharp eyes studying me with suspicion. The irony wasn’t lost on me that I, a Thorne family Capo, was asking my lieutenant for permission to leave before our operations concluded for the day. However, maintaining Zoe’s cooperation was essential to keeping my pursuit of Gemma under the radar.

I hurried downstairs where Vincenzo waited with our family driver Alfred at the building’s fortified entrance. Our destination was Carmen’s exclusive ballet academy in the safe zone of Thorne territory. When she emerged from her dance class, suspicion immediately clouded her young features upon spotting my armored sedan.

"Uncle Dominic, I refuse to help with any of your schemes! Vincenzo always ends up in family trouble because of your plans!" The girl launched into her accusation before offering any greeting, her voice carrying the authority that ran in our bloodline. What happened to respectful children in mafia families these days?

"Carmen sweetheart, your uncle simply missed you terribly," I replied with calculated gentleness, planting a kiss on her forehead while scanning the area for potential threats out of habit. "Besides, I heard whispers that a certain little princess desperately wanted a brand new tablet with military-grade security features and a pink armored case." I presented the elegantly wrapped package, knowing Vincenzo had spared no expense at the high-end electronics store.

"Impossible! I can’t believe this!" She pressed both palms against her mouth, eyes widening with wonder that reminded me of her grandmother’s reaction to her first diamond necklace from the family vault. "Is this really mine, Uncle Dominic?"

"Absolutely, princess, it belongs to you," I declared, thoroughly enjoying her astonished reaction while Alfred discreetly monitored the street for surveillance.

Carmen attacked the wrapping paper with the enthusiasm of a true Thorne, revealing the premium device beneath. Vincenzo had selected the most advanced tablet available on the black market, complete with encrypted communications software. Her joy was infectious, momentarily making me forget the dangerous game we played daily. My sister maintained strict policies regarding her children’s material desires, insisting they remain humble despite our family’s underground empire. Her philosophy held merit in our world where excess could attract unwanted attention. However, I wasn’t their father but their uncle, and spoiling them brought me genuine pleasure between family operations.

"Thank you, Uncle Dominic! I adore you!" Carmen embraced me tightly, pressing a small kiss against my cheek with the fearless affection that only family blood could inspire. Yet as she withdrew, her next words deflated my triumph completely. "But I still won’t do anything to help you with Aunt Gemma." She pivoted away and climbed into our bulletproof vehicle, cradling her gift protectively.

Vincenzo clutched his stomach, consumed by laughter while I felt utterly ridiculous. Even a seasoned Capo could be outmaneuvered by a young Thorne. I followed Carmen into the car’s leather interior and instructed Vincenzo to occupy the front passenger seat beside Alfred.

"Carmen sweetheart, please assist me in this family matter! The task isn’t dangerous or complicated, I swear on the family honor. Am I not your beloved uncle who’s always protected you?" I gazed at her with the most pitiful expression I could muster, the same look that had once convinced rival families to reconsider their territorial disputes.

"You’re my only uncle on this side!" She responded firmly. Her father possessed two sisters, both divorced after their husbands proved incompatible with family business. "And you claimed you simply missed me. What do you actually want from me?" She fixed me with a stern look while securing her seatbelt, displaying the natural suspicion that would serve her well in our world.

"I require your assistance regarding Gemma Valance." She rolled her eyes with dramatic flair worthy of our family’s theatrical reputation.

"Absolutely not! You treated her terribly, and Aunt Gemma is wonderful to all of us. Barrett from my academy behaved identically toward his girlfriend Selena and she suffered greatly." I stared at her, genuinely shocked by this unexpected parallel.

"What exactly do you mean by that?" I grew increasingly concerned about the romantic dynamics at her prestigious academy.

"He held Selena’s hand every day during recess, brought her gifts from his family’s legitimate businesses. Then suddenly he refused to acknowledge Selena and began courting Lydia instead. Later he wanted Selena back when Lydia’s family proved problematic!" She appeared thoroughly annoyed with this young heir. "That behavior is completely unacceptable in our circles, Uncle Dominic!"

"You’re absolutely correct, sweetheart," I suppressed my amusement while noting the sophisticated understanding of loyalty she’d already developed.

"Exactly! If you claim a woman in our world, you cannot betray her trust and pursue another. You must first formally release the original commitment with honor." I found myself slightly bewildered by this elementary logic applied to adult relationships.

"Who suggested I behaved like young Barrett?" My curiosity peaked dangerously.

"I overheard mama discussing with grandmama on our secure family line, saying you betrayed Aunt Gemma’s trust with that terrible Beatrix woman. Though mama insists I shouldn’t call people from other families terrible names." I was stunned into silence! Vincenzo doubled over with renewed laughter in the front seat while Alfred attempted concealing his entertainment behind professional composure.

"Did Barrett seek forgiveness and make proper amends?" I tried redirecting our conversation, though I planned addressing my sister later about both this academy situation and her phone conversations within Carmen’s hearing range.

"No, Uncle Dominic. He didn’t apologize with honor. When Selena refused his advances, he approached Lola from another family instead! Can you imagine such disrespect!" This Barrett child was clearly problematic for future family alliances. Fortunately, my niece had already assessed his character accurately.

"Carmen, I deeply regret my actions and wish to seek proper forgiveness from Gemma. You’ve learned that acknowledging mistakes and requesting forgiveness demonstrates strength in our family, correct?"

She nodded with solemn understanding.

"That’s precisely my intention, but I need your help to prove my sincerity."

"Uncle Dominic..." I sensed I needed presenting my case quickly before losing her attention to the tablet.

"Carmen, simply visit Uncle Caleb’s Syndicate Thorne office and deliver a card with flowers and a small gift to Gemma daily after your ballet classes until she forgives me, which should happen soon with proper persistence. That’s everything I’m asking!"

"Uncle Dominic..." This assistance would prove expensive beyond the tablet, I could already sense her calculating mind working.

"If you help me restore family harmony, I’ll convince your mother to allow you that guard dog you’ve wanted, and I’ll provide the trained protection animal plus all necessary care." Her eyes sparkled with interest as I’d captured her full attention.

"Besides the guard dog, I want spending money for shopping in the protected districts, and you must personally accompany me there with proper security detail." Carmen regarded me with the serious negotiation skills of a future family matriarch.

I recognized this pattern from my encounter with Lila at the cosmetics store. I was about to be thoroughly outmaneuvered by another miniature entrepreneur with Thorne blood! I exhaled deeply, accepting my fate. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"Agreed! However, your mother cannot discover anything about this arrangement. If questioned, we’re spending quality time together because I love my niece and nephew, I need emotional support during this difficult period, and I enjoy spoiling you both appropriately." I surrendered and reclined against the leather seat. Vincenzo and Alfred laughed as though witnessing the most entertaining negotiation of their careers.

"The biggest security risk for family gossip is that loudmouth over there," she indicated Vincenzo with pointed accuracy, prompting my own reluctant laughter. The girl possessed remarkable intelligence that would serve our family well.

"Your turn, Alfred. What’s your price for silence and this route modification to enemy territory?" I addressed our veteran driver who’d been heartily enjoying my complete defeat.

"Don’t concern yourself, Mr. Frost. Simply guarantee my continued employment and family protection if the boss discovers our activities." Alfred, a gentleman who’d served our organization since my childhood with unwavering loyalty, was trustworthy and never opportunistic. Nevertheless, I would provide him a substantial bonus for this delicate service.

"Consider your family’s security permanently assured," I promised him with genuine warmth. "Now, let’s proceed to Syndicate Thorne before Gemma leaves Uncle Caleb’s legitimate business operations."