Chapter 314: Chapter 98 Dangerous Revelations

Gemma’s POV

We arrived at Dominic’s fortified estate Sunday evening after our secluded weekend at his family’s private coastal compound. Exhaustion weighed on my bones from the constant vigilance required in our world, yet we couldn’t stop reaching for each other. After sharing a shower in his marble-lined bathroom, we settled into the king-sized bed, simply savoring gentle caresses under the silk sheets.

"Songbird, I want you back under armed protection," Dominic murmured against my temple, using the endearment he reserved for our most intimate moments. His calloused fingers, scarred from years of violence, traced lazy patterns across my bare skin.

I nestled closer against his powerful chest, feeling the raised marks from old knife wounds beneath my palm. "My handsome, I really don’t need bodyguards. Nick is rotting in county lockup and has no idea about my new apartment or my position with Caleb’s organization. Besides, those death threats stopped arriving weeks ago."

Dominic exhaled deeply, his breath warming the sensitive curve of my neck. "Songbird, your psychotic ex isn’t our only threat in this business."

"Roman is already doing hard time upstate," I reminded him, closing my eyes to better absorb the sensation of his battle-hardened fingertips skimming my shoulder. The contrast between his lethal hands and their tender touch never failed to make my heart race.

"I’m talking about Marcus." His words sent immediate tension coursing through my body like ice water.

I pulled back slightly to study his face in the dim light filtering through the bulletproof windows. "Why would I need protection from your father?"

"It’s a twisted, bloody story. I’d prefer explaining tomorrow, away from our bed. But please, accept the security detail." The gravity in his emerald eyes was unmistakable, carrying the weight of secrets too dark for pillow talk.

"Our bed?" I smiled despite the ominous turn in conversation, focusing on the possessive pronoun that made my chest warm.

He chuckled against my neck, the sound rumbling through his chest. "Is that all you caught from what I said? Yes, our bed. Which reminds me—when will you finish selecting furniture for our house and officially move in?"

"Our house?" I turned to face him fully, unable to suppress the smile tugging at my lips. Even in this dangerous world we inhabited, Dominic’s claim on me made everything feel possible.

His intense gaze captured mine, those emerald eyes that could freeze a man’s blood in his veins now soft with vulnerability. "You know I want to build our home and establish our household here... unless you’d prefer somewhere else? Maybe the penthouse in the city, or we could acquire something new."

"No! I love this estate. I’ll continue with the interior selections tomorrow," I replied enthusiastically, thinking of the sprawling mansion with its hidden passages and state-of-the-art security systems.

Dominic dipped his head to nuzzle between my breasts, his stubble rough against my sensitive skin. "And when are you moving in permanently?"

"Could we take this step by step?" I asked carefully. "First the furnishing, then we’ll see how things develop. We’ve only just reconciled after everything that happened."

He continued placing heated kisses along my collarbone, undeterred by my hesitation. "You’re just postponing the inevitable. You came back to me, and that decision is final. I won’t lose you again to anyone—not rivals, not law enforcement, not even my own damned family."

"Give me some time to adjust?" I pleaded, knowing how precarious our position was in the Thorne organization’s hierarchy.

"Hmm. I want you with me every single day," he grumbled against my skin, his possessive nature showing through every word.

"If I accept the bodyguard detail, will you give me breathing room?" I attempted to negotiate, knowing Dominic responded better to tactical discussions than emotional pleas.

"You will accept the protection!" He sighed heavily, his arm tightening around my waist. "That’s not up for negotiation, Gemma. Not in our line of work."

I propped myself on my elbows, studying the hard planes of his face. "Why are you so insistent? Your father barely acknowledges my existence anymore since Caleb vouched for me."

"We’ll discuss it tomorrow. Come here—let’s enjoy what’s left of our perfect weekend. I don’t want to bring family politics and blood feuds into our bed." Dominic drew me back into his protective embrace, and I drifted to sleep under his gentle caresses, surrounded by the security of his arms and the fortress he’d built around us.

When morning arrived, Dominic had already departed for his early meetings at Zenith Systems, the legitimate front for his money laundering operations. After showering and dressing in professional attire suitable for my role in Caleb’s organization, I gathered my collection of fabric samples and furniture catalogs before heading downstairs to the kitchen.

"Good morning, my nightingale." Dominic stood from his seat at the marble breakfast counter to greet me with a lingering kiss that tasted of rich espresso and danger. "Meet Maia. She previously managed my downtown apartment and prepared meals when I was running solo operations. She’s here to oversee the household staff and coordinate security rotations. When you have time, she’ll introduce you to everyone on the domestic team."

"It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss," Maia offered with the practiced discretion I’d learned was essential among mafia household staff.

"The pleasure’s mine, Maia. Please call me Gemma—we don’t need formalities within family walls." I settled into the chair Dominic held for me as Maia tactfully withdrew to give us privacy.

"Gemma, we need a proper dining table for that formal room," Dominic remarked casually, scrolling through messages on his encrypted phone. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"Yes, but I enjoy our meals in here."

"We can continue eating here regularly, but we have many associates and extended family members. They won’t all fit in the kitchen when we host strategy meetings or celebration dinners."

"I understand your reasoning," I smiled, imagining the elegant dinner parties that were essential for maintaining alliances in our world.

His expression brightened considerably. "I want to host gatherings frequently, like Xavier and Caleb do at their estate."

"I love that idea!" My enthusiasm made his smile widen further, transforming his usually intimidating features into something almost boyish.

"Now, about something far less pleasant." His expression shifted back to the dangerous mask he wore for business matters.

"About Marcus?" I guessed, already dreading whatever revelation was coming.

"Yes. He backed off his harassment because we separated and he thought you were no longer useful as leverage against me. But now that we’re reunited, I’m afraid he might target you again with more direct methods." Genuine worry creased his brow, and I could see the fear beneath his controlled exterior.

"Dominic, as uncomfortable as his attention makes me, all he’s done is send those expensive flower arrangements and call repeatedly. It’s awkward when we encounter each other at family gatherings, but I can handle an old man’s inappropriate interest." I thought he was being overprotective, not understanding the true scope of the threat.

"Gemma, I’m afraid he might escalate far beyond flowers and phone calls." Dominic looked directly into my eyes, letting me see the fear that he normally kept hidden from everyone. "My father is a predator. A rapist."

His revelation left me speechless, my mouth falling open in shock. My heart hammered against my ribs as Dominic detailed his father’s crimes in methodical, clinical terms—the internal family investigation, multiple complaints from women in their territory, and his brief arrest that hadn’t even lasted a full day before family lawyers and bought judges intervened.

"My God, he’s a monster," I whispered, horrified by the implications.

"Yes, he is," Dominic confirmed grimly, his jaw clenched with barely contained rage. "That’s why I need to keep you safe. Please accept the protection!"

"Alright. We’ll do it your way." As I agreed, visible relief replaced the fear in his emerald eyes. "What’s your security plan?"

"Armed escorts at all times, everywhere you go. I’ll personally drive you to your position with Caleb’s organization and collect you each evening. When I can’t due to operations, Nadia’s driver will handle transport. And you’re moving in with me immediately—partly for safety, but mostly because I want you here," he outlined with military precision.

"But Dominic, we agreed to take things slowly," I protested weakly.

"If after Marcus is eliminated and your psychotic ex is permanently silenced you want to return to your apartment, I’ll accept that decision." His easy acquiescence surprised me.

"Just like that?"

A predatory smile spread across his handsome face, transforming him back into the dangerous Capo who commanded respect through fear. "Just like that. If you want to move back, I’ll respect your choice. I’ll pack my weapons and surveillance equipment and relocate there with you." His wink made me laugh despite everything—he was absolutely impossible! "You’re not getting rid of me, Gemma!"

I threw my arms around his neck, pressing a quick kiss to his lips. "I don’t want to get rid of you. If that’s how it’s going to be, we can go to my apartment after work to collect my belongings. And we could have lunch together and shop for that dining table—what do you think?"

"You’re perfect!" He grabbed my waist and gave me a long, sinful kiss that promised much more to come once we were alone again in our fortified sanctuary.