Chapter 368: Chapter 152 After the Storm
Dominic’s POV
After Taylor finished examining Gemma, he prescribed some medication to help calm her nerves. According to him, she would sleep until the following morning. I left the bedroom door slightly open with our most trusted bodyguard Amber positioned at the foot of the bed to keep watch over her, then headed downstairs to brief the family on her condition.
"How is she, son?" My mother rushed to meet me, worry carved deep into her weathered face. Even after decades in this life, she still carried herself with the grace of a mafia queen, but her maternal instincts always surfaced when family was threatened.
"Very shaken up, Mom. Andrew gave her something strong and she’s out cold. He said she’ll sleep until tomorrow," I explained as she gently cupped my face with her palm, searching my eyes with the practiced concern of someone who had seen too many battles.
"And how are you holding up?" Her gaze scrutinized my face, reading the storm brewing beneath the surface like only a don’s wife could.
"I’m a fucking mess of feelings right now, and none of them are good," I admitted truthfully. Exhaustion weighed on me like lead, but beneath it burned a murderous rage toward Marcus that I could barely keep leashed. The old bastard had crossed a line that demanded blood payment.
"Take it easy, man. That piece of garbage is locked up in the family’s private holding and won’t be seeing freedom again," Daniel reassured me, his hand gripping my shoulder with the solidarity of someone who had helped me bury bodies before.
"Thanks, Daniel. If it weren’t for your insane fucking driving, I might not have made it in time to stop that animal," I expressed my gratitude for his reckless speed through the city streets that, for once, had been exactly what we desperately needed.
"No need to thank me," he replied with a grim smile. "But I need to ask, did she tell you exactly what went down in there?"
I dropped into the leather armchair before responding, my hands still trembling slightly from the adrenaline crash. "She said he locked her in the safe room and tried to grab her. When she fought back and shoved him away, he threw her onto the bed. He was about to force himself on her when we kicked down the door."
"Thank Christ we got there when we did," Daniel exhaled deeply, his relief mixing with the barely contained violence that lived in all of us when family was threatened.
He then took charge of briefing the rest of the crew, answering questions and clearing up any confusion about the events that had unfolded. The living room buzzed with the low murmur of seasoned soldiers discussing security protocols and revenge plans.
"By the way, Vincenzo, how did you realize something was off?" Daniel asked, turning his attention to my sharp-eyed nephew who had proven himself worthy of the family name today.
Vincenzo shifted uncomfortably, lowering his head. "I thought it was weird that Uncle Dominic didn’t ask for backup with his surprise plan. I got suspicious and wanted to know what he was really up to. I was hoping he’d let me in on whatever scheme he was running."
"Vincenzo, you might want to consider a future in our intelligence division. Those instincts of yours could save lives," Daniel complimented him, and I felt a surge of pride for the kid.
Carmen rolled her eyes dramatically from her perch on the sofa. "Oh please, Inspector Gadget. My brother is the biggest loudmouth in the family. No covert operation would stay secret because he’d spill everything to anyone who’d listen. He should run the gossip network instead." Her comment drew genuine laughter from the assembled family members, lightening the oppressive mood that had settled over us.
I smiled at my nephew, whose eyes still carried the weight of what we’d discovered today. "Vincenzo, we found her in time because you trusted your gut. The family owes you one."
"Jesus, uncle, I still can’t believe that monster shares our blood," Vincenzo struggled to hold back tears, and I understood his revulsion all too well. Having a traitor in the bloodline was the worst kind of betrayal in our world.
"Don’t think about that poison anymore, sweetheart," my mother comforted him, her weathered hands stroking his hair with the same gentleness she’d shown me after an early kill.
Phoebe approached with the careful composure of someone raised in this life. "Dominic, my father wanted me to tell you he’s already reached out to my uncle in the state attorney’s office. They’re going to make Marcus’s remaining time very unpleasant. He also said the family’s resources are at your complete disposal."
"Tell him I appreciate the backup, Phoebe. It’s good to have allies in high places," I replied, feeling the adrenaline finally draining from my system and leaving me bone-deep exhausted.
Maia entered the living room to announce she’d prepared a full spread for everyone. We gathered in the formal dining room, eating while keeping the conversation light. Everyone worked to lift the mood and coax something resembling peace from me. I was surrounded by the most dangerous and loyal people in the city, and I needed to focus on that strength instead of dwelling on Marcus’s existence.
"Dominic, you should go upstairs and rest with Gemma," Zoe declared with her usual authority, already orchestrating everyone’s departure like the tactical genius she was. "We’re all heading out now. Tomorrow, when Gemma’s feeling stronger, give us a call and we’ll come check on her."
"Uncle, can I stay the night?" Vincenzo asked hopefully, his young face still processing the day’s violence.
Carmen quickly added, "Me too, uncle. We can help cheer up Aunt Gemma in the morning, you know."
"Of course you can stay. She’ll love seeing your faces at breakfast," I smiled, knowing it was absolutely true. "But only if your old man signs off on it."
Gerard playfully nudged his children toward me with mock exasperation. "They’re all yours, Dominic. Hell, I’ll even draw up custody papers if you want them permanently."
"As if you could survive a day without us," Vincenzo shot back at his father with the cocky grin that ran in our bloodline, finally bringing a genuine smile to my face since this nightmare had begun.
