Chapter 355: Chapter 139 Threats Converge
Dominic’s POV
The situation with Marcus had spiraled into complete chaos. His attempted assault on Phoebe during my nephew’s birthday celebration at the family compound was beyond comprehension. Gerard, as head of family security, was justifiably furious, as was my nephew. My sister was devastated that such a horrific violation had occurred within the sacred walls of our territory. The very next day, she ordered our landscaping crew to completely demolish the hidden garden where the assault occurred, determined to rebuild it as an open courtyard where nothing could be concealed from our surveillance network.
We visited Phoebe’s family the day after the incident, desperate to make amends for Marcus’s deplorable behavior on Thorne territory. Thankfully, they were remarkably understanding and gracious, despite the trauma inflicted upon their daughter. They expressed genuine gratitude toward Gemma and Zander for finding and protecting Phoebe, preventing what could have been an even more devastating outcome for both families.
Phoebe courageously provided a comprehensive statement to our family lawyers, and Gerard supplied the compound’s security footage as evidence for the formal complaint. It helped tremendously that Phoebe’s father was the brother of a judge and had significant influence over the magistrate overseeing Marcus’s case. With this advantage and the mounting evidence against him—including his brazen attack on Gemma outside her boutique—Detective Daniel successfully requested Marcus’s arrest warrant, which the judge promptly signed. The only problem now was that Marcus had seemingly vanished into the city’s underground, likely seeking refuge with rival families.
I arranged to meet Daniel at our usual location in the precinct’s back office for updates on the manhunt. The situation had left me deeply concerned about family security, and I could see that Gemma was worried about potential retaliation. She had even suggested postponing our wedding ceremony, a proposal I absolutely refused to consider.
"What’s the latest intelligence, Daniel?" I asked, settling into the chair across from our family’s inside man at the police department.
"I wish I had better news for the family, Dominic. Your father has gone completely underground," Daniel replied, clearly as frustrated as I was about Marcus’s continued freedom to threaten our operations.
"Where could that treacherous bastard have found sanctuary?" It was more of a rhetorical question, but Daniel, being the thorough investigator the family paid him to be, had conducted a more extensive search than I had anticipated.
"Dominic, he needs to hide, and since you’ve frozen his access to family accounts, his resources are completely depleted. I doubt he’s left our territory—he lacks the funds and connections. We’ve checked all the safe houses and neutral hotels, and he’s not registered anywhere under any of his known aliases. Someone with serious protection must be harboring him, but we’ve had surveillance on all the associates you identified, and there’s been no contact with any of them."
"I honestly have no idea which family would be foolish enough to harbor Marcus at this point," I admitted, running my fingers through my hair in frustration. "He’s burned bridges with everyone who ever showed him loyalty."
"He’s avoiding all his usual territories and meeting spots too. But his situation is deteriorating rapidly, Dominic. The district attorney was informed today that there’s an extradition request for Marcus from our associates in Chicago."
"Extradition?" I questioned, finding this development intriguing rather than concerning.
"He’s facing charges of aggravated assault and drugging there. Same criminal pattern—he drugged a woman and attempted to assault her during a business negotiation between families."
"Yet another victim of his predatory behavior," I sighed heavily. "How can that monster possibly share my blood? I’ve asked myself this question countless times throughout this nightmare."
"Stop thinking of him as family," Daniel advised firmly. "Like you’ve said before, he merely contributed genetic material. You’re nothing like him in character or conduct. Thankfully, you inherited everything worthwhile from your mother, including her strength and moral compass."
"She is an extraordinary woman," I agreed. "She never deserved to be trapped in a marriage with someone like Marcus."
"That’s ancient history now. From what I understand, she’s found happiness with Prince Andrew Taylor," Daniel smiled knowingly.
"Yes, Andrew is legitimate European nobility, according to our background checks through Zoe’s intelligence network." I smiled, thinking about how genuinely happy my mother had appeared lately during family gatherings.
"Speaking of your mother," Daniel’s expression shifted to something more serious, "I had an extensive conversation with her during your nephew’s birthday celebration."
"That sounds ominous. What family secrets are you about to reveal now?" I asked, sensing another uncomfortable revelation approaching.
"Your mother gave me explicit permission to share something she never disclosed to you before, something she felt you needed to understand given current circumstances."
"Just tell me directly, Daniel. It’s better to hear the complete truth at once rather than draw out the suspense," I urged impatiently.
"Your mother mentioned that your grandfather—Marcus’s father—immediately after she became pregnant with Nadia, seemed unusually concerned about her safety and the baby’s welfare within the family structure. He said something she didn’t fully comprehend at the time, but after recent conversations with Prince Andrew, who has experience with similar cases in European criminal organizations, it started making more sense."
"Your grandfather warned your mother to exercise extreme caution around Marcus because he never formed genuine emotional attachments to anyone. He exhibited violent tendencies and showed absolutely no remorse or empathy when he inflicted harm on others, whether family members or business associates."
"So he’s always been a sociopathic predator. I already suspected that much."
"Your grandfather explained that obtaining an official psychiatric evaluation was impossible because Marcus refused all professional assessment, but a psychiatrist friend of your grandfather’s warned that Marcus likely suffered from a severe personality disorder."
"What specific type of disorder are we discussing?"
"Marcus exhibits classic characteristics of either psychopathy or sociopathy—most likely the former, given his calculated manipulation and complete lack of conscience."
"And that’s the man my mother’s father forced her to marry for political alliance," I said bitterly.
"Exactly. If this assessment is accurate, the current situation is far more dangerous than we initially realized. Marcus won’t stop his predatory behavior."
"Then he needs to be permanently stopped," I replied, understanding the full gravity of Daniel’s implications. My concern for Gemma intensified, though I felt somewhat reassured by her cautious behavior and the armed security detail watching over her.
"Dominic! Good to see you!" Inspector Adler entered with a professional smile.
"Adler, how are things progressing?" I stood to greet our other valuable contact within the police hierarchy.
"I’m managing well, but unfortunately, I have news that will complicate your family’s security situation."
"Another problem?" I was beginning to regret this meeting at the precinct.
"I’m sorry, but a judge granted bail to Nick. I just received the official notification."
"The situation keeps deteriorating," I lamented, thinking about the additional threat this posed to Gemma.
"Don’t worry, we’re maintaining constant surveillance," Daniel attempted to provide reassurance.
"That’s correct. I’ve already assigned experienced plainclothes detectives to maintain around-the-clock monitoring of his activities," Adler added, which did ease my concerns slightly.
"That provides some comfort," I exhaled deeply.
"As for you, Daniel, that internal affairs investigation remains highly problematic," Adler handed a confidential folder to Daniel.
"Damn it, Adler! This corruption inquiry will destroy everything I’ve built!" Daniel became visibly agitated.
"I’m still pushing back against the investigation, but someone with significant influence is applying pressure from the other direction," Adler warned.
"Is this still related to the same matter we discussed previously?" I asked, and Adler nodded grimly. "This could expose our entire network, Daniel."
"Very reassuring perspective, friend," Daniel replied with bitter sarcasm, understanding that his precarious position as our inside man was becoming increasingly dangerous for all involved parties.
