Chapter 344: Chapter 128 Dangerous Family Encounter
Vincenzo’s POV
"Sweetie, are you really planning to be away from me all weekend?" Brenda pouted, her arms wrapped tightly around my waist as she gazed up at me with those puppy dog eyes I could never resist.
"It’s just a couple of days, baby doll," I reassured her, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Your parents already arranged that countryside retreat for you. I’m only accompanying Uncle Dominic to meet Aunt Gemma’s grandmother for a family introduction, then I’ll be back before you even have time to miss me."
"Oh please, you two are absolutely nauseating!" Phoebe rolled her eyes dramatically at our display of affection.
Brenda shot her sister a playful glare. "That’s what happens when people are actually in love, sis."
"Right, of course!" Phoebe’s lips curled into a knowing smile.
We were killing time at the upscale shopping center’s central court, waiting for Uncle Dominic and Aunt Gemma to arrive. I’d invited Brenda along since we’d be apart for the weekend, and Phoebe had decided to tag along, claiming she needed to speak with my aunt about something important. The Thorne family’s security detail maintained a discreet perimeter around us, their presence barely noticeable to civilians but reassuring to me.
"What’s this mysterious conversation you need to have with Aunt Gemma?" I asked Phoebe, genuinely curious.
She crossed her arms defensively. "Not telling you. I know exactly how loose your lips are, Vincenzo! I haven’t forgotten how you spilled everything about Zander to my mom when she was conducting her usual background checks."
Great, my Carmen was pointing out my flaws too. As if I didn’t have enough people doing that already within our family’s inner circle.
"In my defense," I protested, "I had no idea it was supposed to be a secret. Your mom simply asked if you’d met anyone interesting lately during her routine security briefing. And Zander is, objectively speaking, an interesting guy who passed our preliminary screening."
"Sure, and being the absolute gentleman you are, you provided her with his entire family history and financial background. Now she won’t stop bugging me about arranging a formal meeting with proper supervision." Phoebe had been furious with me after that incident. I’d had to buy her an obscene amount of expensive chocolates imported from Switzerland to earn her forgiveness.
"Well, what a delightful surprise!" A familiar voice that always set my teeth on edge interrupted our conversation. The voice that represented everything toxic about our family’s past.
"Perfect. There goes our peaceful afternoon." I sighed heavily, immediately signaling to my security detail. "Marcus, why don’t you find your own territory and pretend you never saw us?"
"Vincenzo, my dear grandson, is that any way to address your grandfather?" Marcus’s smile never reached his eyes. The man was the definition of a snake – he’d never cared for our family until he needed something, and his exile from the Thorne organization hadn’t humbled him one bit.
"You’re not my grandfather in any way that matters," I said bluntly, my patience already wearing thin. "And you don’t need to pretend you have any familial affection. We both know you despise everything our family stands for now."
"Such inappropriate behavior, grandson, especially in front of these lovely young ladies." Marcus’s gaze lingered uncomfortably on Brenda and Phoebe, triggering every protective instinct bred into me from birth. I immediately positioned Brenda behind me and grabbed Phoebe’s wrist, pulling her away from his reach while subtly alerting my detail.
"Don’t even think about speaking to them," I growled, the family’s dangerous reputation surfacing in my voice.
Phoebe looked confused by my reaction, while Brenda clung to my back, sensing the underlying threat that civilians couldn’t fully comprehend.
"What’s this nonsense, boy? Don’t be ridiculous." Marcus focused on Phoebe with the calculating interest that made my blood run cold. "Allow me to introduce myself, miss. I’m Marcus Frost, Vincenzo’s grandfather and former associate of this family’s operations."
I pulled Phoebe even closer, ensuring he couldn’t make any physical contact while my security team moved into position.
"Security!" I shouted, and thankfully, the armed detail my father had assigned to me immediately responded, approaching with the kind of efficiency that spoke to their military backgrounds. "Please remove this individual from our vicinity. He’s been making inappropriate advances and violating his territorial restrictions."
"Vincenzo, stop being difficult," Marcus hissed, his mask of civility slipping to reveal the manipulative predator underneath. "I need to talk to you about family business. Your mother isn’t answering my communications."
"That’s your problem, not mine. I have no interest in discussing anything with someone who betrayed this family’s trust." I turned my back on him, guiding the girls away while the security team efficiently handled the situation.
"Tell your mother to contact me, Vincenzo, or I’ll make life very complicated for all of you," Marcus shouted as we walked away, his threats carrying the weight of someone who still had dangerous connections despite his exile.
I led the girls to a nearby upscale café where we settled into a private booth. As expected, Phoebe immediately bombarded me with questions, her journalistic instincts kicking in.
"What was that all about, Vincenzo?" she demanded, her voice lower now as she picked up on the serious undercurrents.
"That was my mother’s father, Phoebe. He’s a dangerous individual who was cast out of our family’s business operations," I explained with a heavy sigh, choosing my words carefully.
"Is he the one who keeps harassing your household? The one who abandoned your grandmother for a woman half his age and tried to steal from the family accounts?"
"The very same," I confirmed grimly. "I need to ask something important of you – if you ever encounter him again, keep your distance and contact me immediately. Marcus is genuinely dangerous. Don’t engage with him under any circumstances, and absolutely don’t allow him anywhere near you without proper protection."
"Wow, you’re describing him like he’s some kind of criminal mastermind," Phoebe said, though her tone suggested she was beginning to understand the gravity of the situation.
"He’s not quite that, but he might as well be given his connections and his complete lack of moral boundaries," I replied, dead serious.
"I can tell this isn’t a joke. We’ll stay away from him and follow security protocols," Phoebe promised, though her reassurance did little to ease my concern about Marcus’s bold approach in such a public venue.
My encrypted phone buzzed with a message from Uncle Dominic saying they’d arrived at the shopping center. I quickly replied with our location, and it wasn’t long before they joined us at the café, their own security detail seamlessly coordinating with mine.
"Hmm, I think I’ll treat myself to their signature cappuccino," Aunt Gemma announced as she approached our table, her pregnancy glow making her look radiant despite the underlying tension I could sense. "How are you girls doing?"
"Gemma! We’re fantastic! And so thrilled about the baby news!" Phoebe jumped up to hug my aunt before presenting her with a small, elegantly wrapped gift bag.
"What’s this?" Aunt Gemma’s eyes lit up with curiosity as she peeked inside, though I noticed Uncle Dominic’s protective stance hadn’t relaxed since their arrival.
She carefully removed a decorative box and opened it, her eyes instantly filling with tears. Inside was an exquisite white hand-knitted blanket, adorable booties, and a pompom beanie, all delicately adorned with satin ribbons and clearly made with extraordinary skill.
"Oh, Phoebe, this is absolutely beautiful!" Aunt Gemma exclaimed, her voice thick with emotion. "My baby’s very first gift!"
"I hope I’m not overstepping any boundaries," Phoebe said hesitantly. "I assumed the little one would already have a fully stocked nursery by now, given your family’s resources."
"Not at all," Uncle Dominic assured her with a warm smile, though his eyes continued to scan the area with practiced vigilance. "We’ve been taking our time with preparations. This was incredibly thoughtful of you."
"Gemma, my grandmother made it specially for you. She’s incredibly talented with traditional crafts and creates the most beautiful pieces," Phoebe explained as Aunt Gemma enveloped her in another tight hug.
"I absolutely love it, Phoebe! Please give my heartfelt thanks to your grandmother," Aunt Gemma was genuinely moved by the gesture.
While the girls were distracted with the gift, I discreetly pulled Uncle Dominic aside to inform him about the unpleasant encounter with Marcus, keeping my voice low enough to avoid alarming the others.
"Vincenzo, you might want to consider avoiding this location for a while," Uncle Dominic suggested with concern, his expression darkening. "Marcus cornered Gemma here yesterday too, and his behavior is escalating beyond acceptable limits."
"What did that bastard do to her?" My blood immediately began to boil, the protective instincts that ran in our family flaring to life.
"He tried to grab her, but our security detail intervened before he could make contact. She’s unharmed, but his boldness is becoming a serious problem," my uncle explained, his voice carrying the cold edge that made him so effective in family operations.
"I don’t know if I should inform mom about these escalating incidents," I admitted. "She’s been doing so well lately and returned from her business trip incredibly happy and relaxed."
"Let me speak with your grandmother first, and we’ll decide how to approach this situation with her. Marcus’s behavior suggests he’s getting desperate, which makes him exponentially more dangerous."
I nodded in agreement, understanding the delicate balance required when dealing with family security matters. When we rejoined the others at the table, I noticed Phoebe sporting a satisfied smile that suggested her mysterious conversation with Aunt Gemma had gone well.
"So, did you discuss what you wanted with my aunt, Phoebe?" I asked, still desperate to uncover her secret, though I suspected it involved something related to her budding relationship with Zander.
"Yes, I did, Vincenzo," she replied smugly, blowing me a teasing kiss. "And before you ask, it’s classified family business now."
She really wasn’t going to tell me, and that only made me more curious about what kind of advice or assistance she’d sought from someone who’d successfully navigated the complex world of loving someone in our family’s unique circumstances.
