Gemma’s POV
Recently, my nights had been shattered by phantom calls that left on edge. Each ti my phone rang in the darkness, I’d answer to find nothing but labored breathing on the other end—soone lurking in the shadows but never revealing themselves. The relentless harassnt had carved deep shadows under my eyes, and exhaustion clung to like a second skin in this dangerous world I’d been pulled into.
"Gemma... Gemma!" Dominic’s commanding voice sliced through the haze clouding my thoughts.
"What? I’m sorry, what did you say?" I blinked hard, forcing myself to focus on his concerned expression across our breakfast table in the secured penthouse.
"You need proper rest," Dominic stated, his jaw tightening with the controlled anger of a man accustod to eliminating threats. "We should get you a new secured line through the family’s network."
I shook my head firmly. "That won’t be necessary. These calls will eventually stop." The idea of surrendering yet another piece of my independence to the Thorne organization’s protective web felt like another small defeat.
"Then at least power down your phone during the night," Dominic suggested, his tone carrying the authority of soone used to giving orders. "If there’s family business requiring your attention, they can reach instead."
"Actually, that makes sense." I nodded, rising from my chair. "But right now, I need to get to my position at Zenith Systems."
Dominic’s hand closed around mine with the possessive grip that had beco familiar. "Stay in the compound today. Rest under proper security. Caleb would understand completely."
"Working keeps my mind occupied," I explained, squeezing his fingers. "I need that ntal distraction from all this chaos."
"Understood," he conceded with obvious reluctance. "But were you listening to anything I discussed earlier?"
"Um..." I hesitated, realizing my thoughts had been completely scattered during our conversation.
Dominic’s smile carried both affection and exasperation. "Was I conducting a one-sided briefing this entire morning, my queen?"
"I apologize," I whispered, settling onto his lap and pressing my lips to his in a soft kiss.
His erald eyes brightened with renewed focus. "I was explaining that your parents and I are coordinating a visit to your grandmother’s estate this weekend. And Vincenzo is joining us—he’s particularly enthusiastic about the trip."
"Really?" The prospect imdiately lifted my spirits. "Let’s include Carn in our plans too!"
"My sister and Gerard are going to be completely pampered," Dominic laughed with genuine warmth.
"Honestly, I’m seriously considering permanently relocating those two to our household," I teased.
"Nadia would probably hand them over with signed custody docunts and a bow on top." His comnt drew the first genuine laughter from in days.
"I’ll coordinate all the arrangents then," Dominic promised with the efficiency of soone who commanded resources.
The thought of a weekend escape to the countryside filled with genuine excitent. Visiting Grandma and stepping away from the city’s dangerous undercurrents would provide exactly the respite I desperately needed.
Later that afternoon, I inford Dominic I’d return ho slightly delayed. I wanted to select a special gift for my grandmother along with her beloved imported chocolates—a sweet addiction that definitely ran through our bloodline.
At the upscale shopping center, I made my way directly to the luxury ho furnishings store. I instructed Hunter, my assigned security detail, to maintain his position at the main entrance. The retail environnt seed secure enough, and I didn’t require a imposing shadow trailing through every aisle.
I was examining an elegant cream-colored throw blanket adorned with delicate rose patterns—perfectly suited to Grandma’s refined floral preferences—when suddenly two hands seized my waist. A body pressed against mine from behind, violating my personal space. I spun around, imdiately alert.
"Gemma, sweetheart! What an unexpected pleasure encountering you here." Marcus’s face lood re inches from mine.
Horror washed over as I realized I’d been cornered in the store’s rear section, with towering shelves blocking any rapid escape routes. How had he tracked to this location?
"Get away from ," I hissed, attempting to push him backward. Instead, he pressed his body more aggressively against mine, pinning against the rchandise display.
"Co now! Give a proper family greeting." He grabbed my throat, trying to force into unwanted contact.
Terror surged through my veins as I struggled against his grip. My phone began ringing inside my purse, but Marcus snatched it away and hurled it to the floor. Panic clawed at my chest.
"I’m going to demonstrate, Gemma, that you’ve chosen the wrong Frost," he growled, pulling closer with bruising force.
I fought desperately against his restraints. "You’re the wrong Frost! Release , you disgusting animal! You’re absolutely revolting! I can’t tolerate your voice. Your touch makes my skin crawl."
"Oh, darling," he whispered, his breath hot and repulsive against my skin, "when I’m claiming you, making you submit, you’ll change your perspective completely."
His words triggered waves of nausea. He attempted to hold motionless for his assault, but I kept twisting away with every ounce of strength.
"Here’s our plan, Gemma." His voice dropped to a nacing whisper near my ear. "We’ll exit this establishnt and locate a private venue. I’m going to take you so thoroughly that you’ll forget Dominic ever existed."
Pure rage boiled within my chest. "You’re absolutely sick! I’m not going anywhere with you!" I summoned all my disgust and spat directly in his face.
"You worthless whore!" he roared, striking hard across the cheek.
The sharp sting shocked my system. I hadn’t anticipated such blatant violence, and cold fear replaced my anger. I opened my mouth to scream for help, but he clamped his palm over it, pressing harder against the shelving unit.
"You prefer the difficult approach." His eyes glead with malicious intent. "I actually enjoy it more when you resist. Makes more aggressive. You know what? I’m going to claim you right here and now—a quick conquest right in this public store."
Marcus laughed under his breath and attempted another assault. I struggled against him with desperate strength and squeezed my eyes shut. Suddenly, the crushing pressure lifted. When I opened my eyes, I witnessed Hunter delivering a devastating punch to Marcus’s jaw.
Tears stread down my face uncontrollably. All I wanted was to return ho to Dominic and erase this nightmare from my mory. While Hunter turned to assess my condition, Marcus scrambled to his feet and fled the store like the coward he was.
"Miss Valance, are you injured?" Hunter asked, genuine concern evident in his professional deanor.
"Terrible," I sobbed. "Please, just extract from here and take ho imdiately."
"Yes, miss." He bent down to retrieve my purse and handed it to carefully. Seeing my unsteady state, he offered his arm for physical support. "Mr. Dominic contacted because you weren’t responding to calls. He requires imdiate communication with you." Hunter explained while retrieving his own phone from the floor.
"I’ll contact him myself," I said, attempting to steady my erratic breathing.
"Actually, he’s currently holding on the line..." Hunter returned to his device and explained to Dominic what had transpired. I could hear Dominic’s furious voice through the speaker, threatening to terminate Hunter’s employnt imdiately.
"Let speak with him," I said, reaching for the phone. Before Dominic could continue his tirade, I quickly interrupted. "Dominic, I specifically asked Hunter to wait outside the store. This wasn’t his failure—I didn’t anticipate any danger in a ho goods establishnt. Please, I’m coming ho now. I need you desperately."
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