Gemma’s POV
Ever since Daniel, our family’s inside man in the police force, warned about Nick being released from lockup, I had been living under strict security protocols. My routine beca reginted: straight from our fortified compound to my office at Thorne Enterprises’ legitimate front, then directly back. No detours, no exposed lunch etings. Lila had beco my constant shadow, while Jude spent most of his ti sulking about Nora’s reassignnt to the Frost Coast operations.
That day brought a rare respite when Bee, Dominic’s mother and forr wife of the underboss, invited to lunch. I t her and Andrew at an upscale restaurant in the neutral territory near our financial district headquarters. They looked absolutely radiant together—the way Andrew treated Bee with such reverence made my heart warm, especially knowing how her disastrous first marriage to Marcus, Dominic’s father, had been so brutal.
"You two are honestly the perfect match," I announced as I approached their corner table, strategically positioned with clear sightlines to all exits.
Bee’s eyes held an unexpected vulnerability. "You really believe that, Gemma?"
"It’s not just my opinion—anyone with half a brain can see it," I replied, leaning down to kiss her cheek while discretely scanning the restaurant for potential threats.
Andrew’s weathered face creased with genuine happiness. "I couldn’t agree more with our future daughter-in-law!"
Once we were settled with our backs to the wall, Bee imdiately focused on my expanding belly. "How’s my future grandchild treating you?"
"Making raid every kitchen in the compound! Bee, I swear, nothing satisfies this appetite," I confessed, still amazed by my constant hunger.
She laughed knowingly. "Exactly how I felt carrying Dominic. Already showing the Frost family appetite, I see."
The lunch was delightful despite the underlying tension of our world. Bee ntioned she had already contacted the priest, who had connections to our family’s preferred clergy, about the wedding ceremony. We would need to complete the marriage counseling sessions, but everything was falling into place within the family’s traditional frawork.
After our al, they escorted back toward the Thorne building, Andrew’s trained eyes constantly sweeping for surveillance. We were nearly at the secure entrance when an unwelco voice cut through our conversation like a blade.
"Well, well, little Gemma!" Nancy’s poisonous tone made my skin crawl. She had clearly been watching, waiting for an opportunity.
I turned, fixing her with the ice-cold stare Dominic had taught . "If it isn’t the family embarrassnt. Looking to get eliminated today?" I mimicked her condescending tone with lethal precision.
"Don’t overestimate your importance in this organization," she replied with a venomous smile before shifting her predatory attention to Andrew and Bee. "My, my, look who we have here. Found another benefactor, you pathetic old relic?"
Bee’s response carried the authority of soone who had survived decades in this life. "My personal affairs are none of your concern, Nancy."
"At least you have expensive taste," Nancy purred, circling Andrew like a shark sensing blood. "The distinguished gentleman is quite appealing. Perhaps we could discuss so private business arrangents." She boldly placed her manicured fingers on Andrew’s expensive suit jacket.
Without hesitation, Andrew seized her wrist and forcefully removed her hand. "That will never happen. I don’t conduct business with bottom-feeders like yourself. I already have perfection beside , and I have zero interest in the cheap entertainnt that appeals to degenerates like you and that disgraced exile Marcus."
I nearly applauded. Nancy stood frozen, clearly not expecting such a direct rejection from what she assud was easy prey. Bee’s face blood with a smile that radiated pure satisfaction—vindication and delight at watching her man put this parasite firmly in her place. But Nancy wasn’t soone who accepted defeat gracefully.
"You’ll reconsider, handso," she winked at Andrew with practiced seduction. "Want to know why? Because I’m young, my body is tight and available—everything a dried-up old woman can’t provide. I perform services both in business and pleasure that she couldn’t even comprehend."
My patience finally shattered. "Please, you’ve serviced more n than a downtown working girl! Which gutter did you crawl out of today? You’re nothing but trash wrapped in designer knockoffs."
"You are extraordinarily cheap," Andrew added with visible disgust. "Don’t waste your breath. All you inspire in is contempt, revulsion, and the desire to have you removed from my sight. Co, darling, let’s get Gemma to safety and check on the boys at headquarters."
"Goodbye, family parasite," I smiled sweetly at Nancy as we prepared to leave. Andrew had absolutely destroyed her with the efficiency of a seasoned operator.
As we walked toward the building’s security checkpoint, I noticed a dangerous glint in Bee’s eyes that told she wasn’t finished. She paused, turned to face Nancy who remained planted on the sidewalk, and delivered her final strike.
"I almost forgot to express my gratitude," she called back. Nancy’s face twisted in confusion. "Thank you for taking that perverted waste Marcus off my hands. It’s truly the greatest service anyone has ever provided ." With that declaration, Bee turned with regal dignity and continued walking arm-in-arm with Andrew, the picture of triumphant elegance.
Back in the secure conference room, I grabbed coffee with Lila and Ivy while video-calling Zoe to share the encounter.
"You should have witnessed Dominic’s mother in action! She demolished that snake with such class," I recounted with obvious pride.
"I would have paid serious money to see Bee put that viper in her place," Zoe laughed from her surveillance post. "But Gemma, that’s not our only problem brewing."
"I know, Dominic ntioned Beatrix showed up at your surveillance location," I said, rembering our morning briefing.
"She waltzed in bold as brass, acting like she still had clearance. And your fiancé? Such a coward—practically hiding behind , pushing forward to handle his ss." Zoe could barely contain her amusent.
"I still don’t understand why she claid she was there to support Dominic’s operations," I mused, genuinely confused.
"That puzzled too. But listen carefully—stay on high alert. That witch isn’t as harmless as she pretends. She specifically threatened that your wedding won’t happen." Zoe’s warning imdiately sobered the room.
"Speaking of the ceremony..." Ivy leaned forward with anticipation.
"Oh! I almost forgot to update you—I secured appointnts at the exclusive bridal boutique," Zoe announced excitedly. "For our entire inner circle. Where’s Ruby?"
"In a strategy eting with Scott and the financial team," Lila responded.
"Well, inform her we’re hitting the boutique this weekend. Gemma, unfortunately Nora won’t make it back for the wedding," Zoe inford , and my heart sank slightly. "What are you planning to do about Jude?"
"I’ll figure sothing out. This caught off guard," I admitted. Perhaps one of the Thorne family daughters could step in—we had excellent relationships with them, and they brought such positive energy to family gatherings.
We spent the next several minutes coordinating wedding security details. Ivy and Zoe were handling all arrangents for —I would express my preferences, and they would execute them with military precision. Those two ford an unstoppable team that would make any professional event coordinator envious.
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