Gemma’s POV
The past several weeks had been a whirlwind of wedding preparations for what would be the most heavily guarded mafia ceremony the city had ever witnessed. Everything was falling into place under the watchful eyes of our family security - the private chapel, the bulletproof limousines, the reception venue swept daily for listening devices. My bridesmaids Erica and Audrey had been practically vibrating with excitent about whatever elaborate bachelorette party they had planned, complete with ard escorts and background checks on every vendor.
Earlier that day, Dominic had sent word through one of our runners that he would be late returning to our penthouse. Xavier had organized an ergency strategy eting with the family’s inner circle - what they euphemistically called "poker night" when discussing business over encrypted phones. I had considered having dinner with Mom and Ryder at their new safe house instead. I hadn’t seen them in days, not since we’d moved them to the family compound for their protection.
Just as I was packing up my things at the family’s legitimate front company where I now worked as Dominic’s financial coordinator, a courier appeared beside my desk. Not the usual company ssenger - this one wore the distinctive black suit and earpiece that marked him as family security.
"Priority delivery for you, Mrs. Frost," he said, placing a single red rose with a small envelope on my desk with the reverence reserved for family communications.
My heart fluttered despite the formal tone. This had Dominic written all over it. Even in the middle of family crisis managent, he never forgot the romantic gestures that made my pulse race. I opened the sealed envelope and read the typed ssage on family letterhead:
"My goddess, I miss you. et at the Ambassador Hotel, room 1575, tonight at seven o’clock. I have sothing important to show you. Co alone - family eyes only."
A smile spread across my face as I checked my watch. Dominic’s private etings were always morable - secure hotel suites, private chefs cleared by family security, intimate dinners where he could drop his Capo mask and just be mine. Whatever intelligence he needed to share tonight, I knew he would make it special.
I hurried to the executive bathroom to freshen up. A quick touch of the bulletproof lipstick Audrey had given , a fluff of my hair, and I was ready to et my dangerous fiancé for whatever classified evening he had orchestrated.
On the drive over in my armored sedan, my encrypted phone rang. Vincenzo’s code na flashed across the screen.
"Hi, beautiful nephew," I answered, switching to our family frequency.
"Auntie Gemma! How’s the future Mrs. Capo today?" His warm voice ca through the secure line.
"Surviving another day in paradise. And you?"
"Dying for so normal food," he said with that dramatic flair that reminded so much of Dominic. "You’ve been promising to take to that old-school diner forever - the one with the vintage cars and no surveillance equipnt. I’m calling to cash in on that promise tonight."
I laughed. "You’re right. Every ti we plan sothing normal, another family ergency cos up."
"Exactly! And I bet my little cousin is craving sothing that didn’t co from a chef with a security clearance," he added, not above using my unborn baby as leverage.
"How about tomorrow instead, Vincenzo? I can’t tonight."
"And why not tonight, if I may ask?" His tone shifted slightly - the family training showing through his teenage casualness.
"Because your uncle has arranged a private briefing. He sent a ssage asking to et him at the Ambassador. You know how these family etings go - all very cloak and dagger."
Vincenzo paused, and I could hear the subtle sound of him checking sothing on his end. "Well, I certainly can’t compete with Uncle Dominic’s classified business. Tomorrow it is, then. But Gemma... did you verify that ssage through proper channels?"
"Vincenzo, it ca with family letterhead and a courier with the right clearance. Your uncle is nothing if not thorough about security protocols."
"Of course. Have a wonderful evening, gorgeous. And rember - family first, trust second."
The call ended just as we pulled up to the imposing entrance of the Ambassador, one of the few hotels in the city that maintained the kind of discretion our family required. My security detail, led by Hunter, opened the door for .
"Hunter, I’m eting Dominic inside for family business, so you and the team can maintain periter positions," I said, stepping onto the sidewalk with practiced confidence.
He hesitated, his hand moving instinctively toward his concealed weapon. "Are you certain, Mrs. Frost? Standard protocol requires us to sweep the location first, especially with recent threats to family mbers."
I glanced at my watch. "Actually, I’m running late, and you know how Dominic feels about punctuality during operations. Maintain surveillance from here - I’ll signal if I need extraction."
"Copy that. But please rember the panic protocols. Any sign of trouble, and we move in imdiately."
With a nod, I entered the hotel’s elegant lobby. The desk staff recognized imdiately - our family had long-standing arrangents with the Ambassador’s managent. They directed to the private elevator without requiring additional identification.
My heart raced with anticipation as I knocked on room 1575 using the coded pattern Dominic had taught . The door opened almost imdiately, and I walked in, expecting to see the usual setup for a family briefing - encrypted computers, tactical maps, secure communication equipnt.
Instead, I found myself staring at an ordinary hotel room with no security asures in place.
The door clicked shut behind with the finality of a trap springing closed. I turned, expecting to see Dominic’s familiar silhouette, and instead found myself face to face with the cold, calculating eyes of Marcus Frost - the man whose betrayal had nearly destroyed our family.
"Gemma, darling daughter-in-law," his smile was all predator, no warmth. "What a pleasure to finally have you all to myself."
"Marcus." I kept my voice steady, reaching for the panic button hidden in my bracelet. "Where is Dominic?"
"Oh, he has no idea you’re here." He casually walked to the minibar, pouring himself whiskey with hands that had once been stained with family blood. "Amazing how easy it is to forge family communications when you know all the right protocols. Though I must admit, I didn’t expect the great Gemma Valance to fall for such a simple deception."
My blood turned to ice as the full scope of his betrayal beca clear. "What do you want?"
His eyes glead with malicious satisfaction. "What I’ve always wanted - to destroy Dominic piece by piece. And what better way than to take the one thing he values more than his own life?"
I backed toward the window, my fingers frantically working the panic button. "You’re insane if you think you’ll get away with this. Brenda, Phoebe, Zander, Nadia - they all know where I am."
"Actually, they don’t. See, I’ve been watching, learning your patterns. Tonight, everyone thinks you’re sowhere else." He moved closer, and I could sll the alcohol on his breath mixed with sothing darker - obsession.
"Stay away from ," I warned, my voice stronger than I felt.
"Or what? You’ll call for help?" He laughed, a sound that made my skin crawl. "This room is soundproofed, darling. Perfect for what I have planned."
He lunged forward, and I dodged, grabbing a heavy glass vase from the side table. "Don’t touch !"
"Feisty. I like that." His hand shot out, catching my wrist in a grip that made gasp. "Dominic’s going to receive such an interesting video tonight. His precious wife, compromised and broken."
Terror flooded my system as he forced backward toward the bed. I swung the vase with my free hand, connecting with his shoulder, but he barely flinched.
"You’re going to regret that," he snarled, his grip tightening until I cried out and dropped the vase.
I kicked at him, my heels finding their mark, but he was stronger, more determined. His hands were everywhere, tearing at my clothes while I fought with everything I had.
"Please," I gasped, trying to reason with whatever humanity might be left in him. "Think about what you’re doing."
"I am thinking," he panted, pushing down onto the bed. "I’m thinking about Dominic’s face when he watches his perfect life crumble."
I clawed at his face, leaving angry red marks, but he pinned my arms above my head with one hand while the other worked at his belt.
"Hold still, and this will be over quickly," he whispered against my ear, his breath hot and revolting.
That’s when I heard it - a sound that cut through my terror like a lifeline.
CRASH.
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