Dominic’s POV

I was finishing a late dinner with potential allies from the Chicago outfit when my phone buzzed with Vincenzo’s message. My nephew rarely contacted me during business trips - Nadia had made it clear he shouldn’t interfere - so this had to be serious. When I read his text, ice flooded my veins:

"If you don’t want to lose Gemma to some stranger, get back from Chicago now."

My hand trembled as I immediately dialed Vincenzo’s number.

"Vincenzo, explain that message. Right now," I demanded, abandoning any pretense of civility.

"Well hello to you too, uncle. I’m doing wonderful, thanks for your concern," Vincenzo replied with his usual smart mouth.

"I’m not playing games. Tell me what happened."

"I saw Aunt Gemma at the shopping district earlier. She was heading to some movie with a guy named Zander," Vincenzo explained, his tone maddeningly casual. "Never seen him before, but he’s decent looking and seemed to have his charm working. Oh, and Gemma? She looked absolutely breathtaking tonight."

My grip on the phone tightened until my knuckles went white. "Who the hell is Zander?"

"Your guess is as good as mine. That’s all she mentioned before they left together."

"I’m flying back immediately."

"About time!" Vincenzo sounded satisfied with himself.

"Thanks, kid," I managed before cutting the call.

I immediately contacted my pilot, ordering him to prep the private jet for emergency departure. The flight back to Port Serenity felt endless. Sleep was impossible with thoughts of Gemma with this Zander consuming my mind. Some unknown man had appeared in her life while I was away handling family business.

After landing, I stopped at my penthouse only long enough to drop my bags and shower, but the empty silence without Gemma made my skin crawl. Every room reminded me of what I’d lost. I couldn’t return to our shared apartment either - not yet, not when seeing our abandoned life together might push me over the edge.

"Hotel it is," I muttered, grabbing fresh clothes and heading back out.

I checked into the city’s most exclusive hotel, showered quickly, and drove straight to Zenith Systems. When the elevator doors opened to our floor, Mia immediately jumped up from her desk with obvious relief.

"Boss! You’re finally back! I’ve been worried sick," she exclaimed, embracing me warmly.

"Come on, I wasn’t gone that long," I chuckled, returning her hug before handing her a designer shopping bag. "Brought you something from Chicago."

"This is exactly why I love when you return from these trips," Mia laughed, eagerly accepting the gift.

I walked into Zoe’s office next, where she sat buried in surveillance reports, completely focused on her work. I dropped her present on the desk with deliberate noise.

"You probably don’t deserve this after the grief you’ve given me, but I’m feeling generous," I said with forced lightness.

She looked up, and I was struck by how somber her expression was. "You’re back."

"Yes, I’m back. Did you miss me?" I smiled, but her serious demeanor didn’t shift. "I know Finn’s thriving with his new security detail, Zoe, so what’s eating at you?"

"You were gone for so long cleaning up my mess," she said quietly, guilt heavy in her voice.

I sighed deeply. "Let’s discuss this in my office."

She followed me like a condemned prisoner, nothing like her usual confident self. Once inside, I removed my jacket and gestured for her to sit.

"Dominic, I want to formally apologize and submit my resignation," Zoe announced without meeting my eyes.

"Have you completely lost your mind?" I demanded, genuinely stunned. "What’s going through that analytical brain of yours?"

"I overstepped every boundary, Dominic. I interfered with your relationship with Gemma, gave you terrible counsel about handling the situation, and now you two are separated because of my advice. Plus my behavior regarding the surveillance files was completely unprofessional. I violated every code we have."

"Yes, you crossed lines," I admitted with a heavy breath. "But who among us hasn’t? I’ve crossed more lines than anyone. And whatever advice you gave me, Gemma makes her own choices. She always has."

"I’m so ashamed of myself," Zoe continued. "I’ve had plenty of time to think while you were in Chicago. I even discussed it with my father, and he said if it were his operation, he would have eliminated me immediately for the security breach alone."

"Listen carefully, Zoe. You’re brilliant at what you do, and I need you here. We’re family, and family forgives each other’s mistakes. Besides, your father promised me you’d last quite a while in this life," I attempted to joke, but she remained stone-faced. "Can we learn from this disaster and move forward? I really don’t want to lose you as well."

"Are you still furious with me?" she asked hesitantly.

"Not anymore. The Chicago trip gave me perspective on what really matters. Now I just want to focus on getting Gemma back."

"Then I won’t resign," Zoe offered a small, relieved smile. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

"Good decision. So how has Gemma been handling things?"

Zoe stood up firmly. "I’m staying completely out of your personal business from now on, Dominic."

"Come on, Zoe! You won’t help me at all?" I pressed. Her expression remained uncertain. "Just tell me who this Zander character is, and then you can maintain your neutrality."

"I honestly have no idea who Zander is."

I studied her eyes intently, searching for any hint of deception or hidden knowledge. "I swear on Finn’s life, I don’t know," she repeated, and her sincerity was unmistakable.

After Zoe left, I called Xavier to arrange dinner at our usual secure restaurant. Then I contacted Nadia, who predictably complained that I hadn’t visited her immediately upon returning, and asked her to send Vincenzo to the office for lunch. Shortly after noon, my nephew swagger into my office.

"Uncle Dominic! Great to have you back in town," Vincenzo declared with obvious satisfaction.

"As if you didn’t orchestrate my early return," I said, pulling him into an embrace.

"You just couldn’t stand being away from your favorite nephew! Barely back and already demanding my presence. That’s true devotion right there!" he teased.

"Don’t push your luck, kid. You know exactly why I called you here."

"Of course I do," Vincenzo raised his finger dramatically. "That’s precisely why you’re taking me to that steakhouse with the incredible ribeye and those amazing truffle fries."

"Already taking advantage of the situation..." I sighed, grabbing my jacket as Vincenzo laughed all the way to the elevator.