Chapter 372: Chapter 156 Threats and Lies
Gemma’s POV
Calming Dominic down after recounting the restaurant incident proved nearly impossible. The moment I finished explaining what happened, my Capo husband immediately demanded I quit working at the family’s legitimate front company. I spent considerable time convincing him that the Thorne family’s corporate headquarters remained completely secure.
I knew he would abandon his own territory management duties to rush to my office—something that had been occurring with disturbing frequency lately. Fortunately, the evening shift was nearly over, so his absence from overseeing the money laundering operations wouldn’t create additional problems.
Dominic arrived in record time, shortly after my call. He leaned menacingly across my desk, his emerald eyes blazing with the kind of fury I’d seen him reserve for family traitors.
"Gemma, I was already uncomfortable having my wife exposed to street-level dangers while working. Now that you’re carrying the next generation of our bloodline, I despise this arrangement even more. We need to reconsider your position here," he declared, planting both palms firmly on my desk like he was claiming territory.
"And what’s your alternative? Lock me away in our penthouse like some mafia princess?" I asked, maintaining my composure despite his intimidating presence. "Because that’s absolutely not happening."
"Gemma!" Dominic collapsed into the chair opposite me, running his hands through his golden hair in complete exasperation. "I cannot tolerate the thought of anything happening to you or our heir."
"Neither can I, Dominic. But you must understand—I’m completely protected here. I’ve already decided I won’t leave the building during business hours. I’ll remain inside and have meals delivered through our security network, but I refuse to quit." I made it crystal clear this wasn’t open for negotiation.
"You swear on your life you’ll stick to that protocol?" His tone shifted to something approaching desperation.
"I swear it," I assured him, hoping to ease the anxiety that came with loving someone in our violent world.
My phone interrupted our tense conversation. I immediately recognized the number and felt my blood run cold. Nancy had obviously wasted no time spreading the news through the underground networks. I placed the phone on my desk and answered on speaker, knowing Dominic needed to hear this threat firsthand.
"Little Gemma, you never learn your place, do you?" Nick’s menacing voice filled the room with its familiar venom.
"What will it take for you to disappear from my life permanently, Nick?" I asked, letting my exhaustion show through my voice.
"I want you, little Gemma. Port’t you figured that out by now?" he responded with condescending arrogance. "But word on the street is you’ve been very busy. Pregnant, little Gemma? Seriously, carrying that rich mafia boy’s bastard spawn?"
"Don’t you dare call my child a bastard," I snapped back with ice in my voice.
"But that’s exactly what the kid is, little Gemma. A worthless little bastard—because your marriage to that spoiled mob prince means nothing!" Nick declared with absolute authority. I watched dangerous anger flash across Dominic’s handsome features as his jaw clenched.
"That’s what you think. Just forget I exist, Nick," I said firmly, which only made him release his signature cold laugh.
"Little Gemma, get this through your pretty little skull. You belong to me, only to me, and you will be with me eventually," Nick spoke with the chilling calmness of someone who’d killed before. "If you refuse to be with me, little Gemma, you won’t be with anyone—because I’ll put a bullet in your head myself!"
"You’re completely insane!" My throat tightened as the words came out. "Forget I exist, Nick. I don’t belong to you. You have zero claim over me. Just disappear."
"You want to test my resolve? Fine, I’ll give you a little surprise to remember," he threatened with deadly promise. "But to show you how generous I can be, I won’t harm the little bastard. I’ll raise him right alongside the children you’ll give me after your husband dies."
"You’re completely deranged! Don’t you dare come anywhere near me, Nick." I ended the call before my rising panic could make me say something that might provoke him further, or before Dominic could speak and potentially escalate Nick’s rage to murderous levels.
"Gemma, this situation is becoming genuinely dangerous. Let’s leave the territory for a while, please. I want you to have a peaceful pregnancy, and our child to enter this world without death threats hanging over us," Dominic pleaded, but he was asking me to abandon everything.
"Dominic, I could do that, but what happens when he targets someone I love for revenge? My mother and Lila are already on his radar through street connections. I cannot leave them vulnerable to that psychopath," I reasoned logically. I could see Dominic processing my argument through his strategic mind.
"Damn it! You’re absolutely right. But the situation is escalating toward bloodshed. I’m terrified of what that maniac might attempt, Gemma."
"I know, my love. I’m scared too. But we need to think like family soldiers now. For the immediate future, I’ll stay inside headquarters during all work hours. Our security detail shadows my every move. And our private residence has military-grade protection."
"Fine, we’ll try your approach. But if this gets any worse, I’m taking you to our overseas safe houses, even if I have to carry you there against your will."
"Agreed. If violence escalates, I’ll go wherever our family’s protection extends," I conceded, hoping to calm his nerves, though Dominic remained visibly on edge like a predator sensing danger.
"Alright. I’ll update Daniel about this phone call and confirm whether they’ve successfully activated the wire surveillance," Dominic sighed heavily.
"Honey, is our detective having problems at the precinct?" I asked as casually as possible, hoping to help Lila uncover the truth.
"Just the usual corruption politics, I assume. Why do you ask?" Dominic was distracted, scrolling through his encrypted contacts for Daniel’s number.
"Nothing specific. He just seemed more stressed than usual that day at the hospital. Do you know if something particular is bothering him?" I continued my innocent act, but Dominic looked up with narrowed, suspicious eyes.
"What exactly are you fishing for information about, Gemma?" he asked, studying me with the calculating gaze of a seasoned Capo.
"Oh, honey, didn’t that phone call he received seem strange to you? He became really upset and tense," I maintained my act, but Dominic wasn’t buying my performance.
"My goddess, he was anxious, nervous, and stressed about what happened to Lila. She was injured, and Daniel was furious—you know how our people protect their own," he offered this weak explanation, confirming my suspicion that he knew much more than he was revealing.
"Yeah, you’re probably right." I decided against sharing Lila’s growing suspicions about Daniel’s true loyalties. Dominic would immediately alert the detective while distancing himself from any potential complications. So I pretended to accept his story completely.
"Are you almost finished with work here?" Dominic smiled, considering the matter successfully closed.
"Yes, just need to review this financial report and we can leave together."
"Perfect. I’ll head to the executive break room for coffee and call Daniel." Damn, I was certain he would warn Daniel about my probing questions. I needed to make Dominic forget about the entire conversation.
"Oh no, you won’t. Stay right here with me," I employed my sweetest, most irresistible tone—the one that could make my dangerous husband do anything I wanted. At least I could buy Lila some precious time. "Call him from right here. I’ll have someone bring you coffee."
