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 ands 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 outco for both families.
Phoebe courageously provided a comprehensive statent to our family lawyers, and Gerard supplied the compound’s security footage as evidence for the formal complaint. It helped trendously 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 et Daniel at our usual location in the precinct’s back office for updates on the manhunt. The situation had left 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 departnt.
"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. Soone 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 eting spots too. But his situation is deteriorating rapidly, Dominic. The district attorney was inford today that there’s an extradition request for Marcus from our associates in Chicago."
"Extradition?" I questioned, finding this developnt intriguing rather than concerning.
"He’s facing charges of aggravated assault and drugging there. Sa 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 tis throughout this nightmare."
"Stop thinking of him as family," Daniel advised firmly. "Like you’ve said before, he rely 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 soone 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 sothing 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 explicit permission to share sothing she never disclosed to you before, sothing she felt you needed to understand given current circumstances."
"Just tell directly, Daniel. It’s better to hear the complete truth at once rather than draw out the suspense," I urged impatiently.
"Your mother ntioned that your grandfather—Marcus’s father—imdiately after she beca pregnant with Nadia, seed unusually concerned about her safety and the baby’s welfare within the family structure. He said sothing she didn’t fully comprehend at the ti, 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 extre caution around Marcus because he never ford genuine emotional attachnts to anyone. He exhibited violent tendencies and showed absolutely no remorse or empathy when he inflicted harm on others, whether family mbers 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 assessnt, 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 forr, 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 assessnt 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 sowhat reassured by her cautious behavior and the ard 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 eting at the precinct.
"I’m sorry, but a judge granted bail to Nick. I just received the official notification."
"The situation keeps deteriorating," I lanted, 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 so 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 beca visibly agitated.
"I’m still pushing back against the investigation, but soone with significant influence is applying pressure from the other direction," Adler warned.
"Is this still related to the sa 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.
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