Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask

Chapter 379: Chapter 163 Into the Snare

Gemma’s POV

My bachelorette party had been the talk of Port Serenity’s underground scene. Erica and Audrey had orchestrated a night that would be remembered in mafia circles for months, though Dominic’s face when he arrived to collect me suggested he didn’t appreciate the snake incident that nearly turned celebration into catastrophe. His expression remained etched with deadly concern until we were safely back in our fortified penthouse.

Once inside our sanctuary, Dominic revealed his suspicion that Beatrix had orchestrated the venomous attack. The revelation left me speechless. I’d always known the former mafia socialite was dangerous, but attempting murder at my bachelorette party seemed extreme even for someone of her twisted nature.

Sunday passed in blissful domesticity within our heavily guarded compound. Dominic and I treasured these rare moments of peace, knowing the coming week would be consumed by final preparations for our blood oath ceremony. Despite the Thorne family’s meticulous arrangements, there would inevitably be territorial disputes and rival family tensions to navigate before I walked down the aisle.

Monday arrived with the usual demands of running legitimate front operations, amplified by my impending absence from Port Serenity’s business district. With our honeymoon in the family’s private Caribbean compound looming, I needed to handle my responsibilities at the financial consulting firm early. By Thursday, I’d be stationed at the Thorne family’s beach estate, overseeing the wedding security arrangements. My schedule was so packed that lunch consisted of hurried bites between encrypted communications, and I even dismissed Lila when she appeared with her afternoon coffee ritual.

The persistent ringing of my secure phone interrupted my workflow. Nick’s number flashed on the screen repeatedly. I’d ignored his calls since Saturday, hoping the street-level punk would eventually understand that crossing a Thorne family Capo’s territory had consequences. Today, he seemed particularly desperate, calling multiple times in rapid succession before finally going silent. I exhaled in relief, my battle-hardened nerves settling momentarily.

When my phone rang again shortly after, I considered activating our family’s communication blackout protocols. A glance at the screen showed my mother’s contact information, and I answered without hesitation.

”Hi, Mom! Everything secure?” I asked, still reviewing financial reports that served as covers for money laundering operations.

”Little dove, precious little dove. When will you learn to answer when the family calls?” The voice that responded sent ice through my veins like a blade to the heart.

”Nick, what are you doing with my mother’s phone?” My voice remained steady despite the terror clawing at my chest—a skill learned from months in the mafia world.

”Little dove, you should be asking what I’m planning to do to your interfering mother.” His laughter slithered through the phone like a poisonous snake preparing to strike.

”Nick, don’t touch my mother. Your quarrel is with me.” My fingers tightened around the phone, knuckles white with restrained fury.

”It was with you, little dove, but you decided to make things complicated by hiding behind those Thorne family killers. So right now, this involves you, me, and your precious mommy. A real pain in the ass, actually. She never approved of me, did she, little dove? And I never had any patience for her meddling.”

”Nick, please, leave my mother out of this!” Fear consumed me like wildfire, spreading through my body despite my training in handling mafia threats.

”Little dove, there’s only one way I’ll leave your dear mommy breathing—if you come here alone to collect her. Then, maybe I’ll let her leave in one piece, because she’s still intact right now, but I can’t guarantee how long my patience will last.” His voice carried the casual menace of someone with nothing left to lose.

”Nick, what do you want from me?” I asked, though his demands were painfully obvious.

”Don’t play stupid, little dove! I want you back. So you’re going to leave that fake job of yours right now, without that armed shadow who follows you everywhere, get in an unmarked car, and come meet me. Oh, and without alerting your mafia boyfriend’s network, naturally!” He sounded almost euphoric at his own scheme.

”Nick, you’ve lost your mind! Release my mother and disappear before the Thorne family finds you.” Tears streamed down my face despite my attempts to maintain composure.

”I’m crazy about you, little dove!” His laughter chilled me to the bone like winter winds off the harbor. ”You have a short time to reach this location, or your mommy’s going to have an unfortunate accident.”

”Nick, don’t harm my mother,” I pleaded, abandoning all pretense of strength.

”That depends entirely on your cooperation.”

”Let me speak with her.”

”Of course, my love, when you arrive, I’ll allow you to talk. But you better move fast—your countdown starts now and you only have limited time remaining. Tick tock.” He disconnected, his maniacal laughter echoing in my ears.

My mind raced through scenarios. Nick had completely snapped. I should have taken his earlier calls seriously—at least then Dominic’s surveillance network might have traced his location. Now I was trapped, forced into an impossible corner. I had no doubt the unstable criminal would hurt my mother simply to inflict maximum emotional damage on me.

As I frantically weighed my limited options, his message arrived with an address in the most dangerous part of Port Serenity’s industrial district. Time was already running short—the location was deep in neutral territory, far from Thorne family protection. There seemed no alternative; I had to comply with his demands and go alone. I steadied my breathing and summoned my security detail.

”Do you need assistance, Miss Gemma?” Hunter appeared in my doorway, hand instinctively near his concealed weapon.

”Yes, Hunter, would you mind getting me something to eat? I’m starving, but buried in these financial reports.” I manufactured a casual tone, hating myself for deceiving someone whose job was protecting my life.

”Of course, miss. What would you prefer?” Hunter’s professional kindness only intensified my guilt. He trusted me not to violate security protocols, as I’d always been compliant with Dominic’s protective measures.

”You know that Italian place near the restaurant where the family conducts business meetings? Could you bring me their special pasta with extra sauce?” I chose a location requiring significant travel time to ensure his lengthy absence.

”Absolutely, miss. I’ll leave immediately.” Hunter smiled and departed through the reinforced doorway. Dominic would be absolutely murderous when he discovered I’d manipulated his security arrangements, but my mother’s survival depended on my compliance.

The instant Hunter vanished into the armored elevator, I grabbed my purse and sprinted toward the emergency stairwell. The elevators contained surveillance cameras connected directly to Thorne family headquarters, and I couldn’t risk detection. I slipped off my heels and raced down multiple flights of stairs, only replacing them when I reached the parking garage.

Outside the building, fortune briefly favored me—a taxi was dropping off a passenger near the entrance. I jumped inside and provided Nick’s address. The driver examined it with obvious alarm, his face reflecting genuine concern.

”Lady, are you sure you know where you’re heading?” he asked, eyes finding mine in the rearview mirror with unmistakable worry.

”Actually, no. I’m meeting someone, but I’ve never been to that area before.” Anxiety saturated my words despite my efforts to sound confident.

”It’s extremely dangerous territory, lady. Gang warfare happens there regularly. You’ll never find another cab willing to pick you up from that neighborhood. Maybe you should reschedule this meeting somewhere safer?” His authentic concern only deepened my growing dread.

”That would be infinitely better, but unfortunately it’s not possible.” I stared out the window at Port Serenity’s skyline, heart constricting with the certainty that Nick had no intention of allowing me to return alive.