Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask

Chapter 395: Chapter 179 Chosen as Daughter

Gemma’s POV

Exhaustion weighed heavily on me as I finally dragged myself toward bed. The family gathering that Zoe and Nadia had orchestrated at the Thorne safe house had been intense, but my body craved sleep. I left Dominic behind, still deep in conversation with the other Capos about territory expansion, clearly too engrossed in family business to retire.

After a hot shower and slipping into comfortable silk pajamas, I collapsed onto the mattress. Sleep claimed me instantly while muffled voices from the war room drifted through the reinforced walls. I was so deeply unconscious that I didn’t register when Dominic eventually joined me in bed.

Which made his brilliant idea to wake me for a sunrise ceremony all the more jarring.

”Wake up, my goddess! Today’s the day,” Dominic whispered urgently, his muscular frame draped over mine as he peppered my face with kisses.

I groaned, ”What’s with this sudden obsession with dawn?”

”Please, today changes everything. Come on,” he begged with the intensity of a soldier before battle.

”I’m exhausted,” I protested weakly.

”You’ll have plenty of time to rest after we handle family business,” he countered, making me chuckle despite my fatigue.

I opened my eyes to study his face. ”Are you absolutely certain about that?”

Dominic glanced toward the bulletproof windows with exaggerated thoughtfulness before admitting, ”In our world, nothing’s certain. But please get up—I promise this will be worth everything. I’ve already chosen your outfit.”

Recognizing the steel determination beneath his playful tone, I surrendered. ”Fine. I’ll shower to wake myself up.”

After freshening up, I emerged to find Dominic dressed in an expensive charcoal suit that screamed authority. On the bed lay an elegant navy dress with subtle silver threading that I didn’t recognize.

”Where did this come from?” I asked, examining the sophisticated garment with its structured bodice and flowing skirt that commanded respect.

”I had it specially made for you,” Dominic replied, his eyes burning with barely contained excitement. ”Will you wear it for me?”

I recognized the telltale signs that Dominic was orchestrating something monumental—the controlled intensity, the predatory smile, the dangerous gleam in his emerald eyes. Deciding to trust him, I slipped into the dress and paired it with the designer heels he handed me.

Hand in hand, we descended the marble staircase as dawn approached. Through the mansion’s reinforced glass doors, I spotted an ornate table on the private terrace overlooking the harbor, covered with pristine white linen. To my surprise, the entire Thorne inner circle was already assembled there, looking remarkably alert for such an early hour despite the late night of family business.

”What have you arranged, handsome? What’s the surprise?” I asked, curiosity overtaking my lingering drowsiness.

Dominic gave me a mysterious smile. ”Today’s ceremony isn’t my doing. I just helped coordinate security.”

As we approached the gathering, everyone greeted us with knowing smiles despite the early hour. My attention was drawn to a distinguished gentleman in judicial robes sitting at a smaller table adorned with white roses and an open legal document. Before I could piece together what was happening, Ryder approached me with solemn ceremony. Dominic placed my hand in his and stepped back with military precision.

”What’s going on?” I asked, thoroughly confused.

”Gemma,” Ryder began, his voice carrying the weight of family authority, ”from the moment we met in that dangerous neighborhood, I was captivated by that fierce girl who carried far too much responsibility on her young shoulders. I wasn’t even involved with your mother yet—we were just allies in protecting you from street threats. When I introduced you to my son Zander, you two immediately bonded as siblings, constantly watching each other’s backs in ways only family understands. My first wife had been killed in a rival family’s attack just recently before, and you helped Zander survive that devastating loss. You would quietly stand guard while he grieved behind the compound walls, never asking questions, later pretending nothing had happened. You and your mother brought light back into our blood-soaked world. I’ve always loved you like the daughter I never had—you were a blessing placed in my dangerous life, and I welcomed you with immeasurable joy.”

Tears streamed down my face. Zander stepped closer, his arm wrapping protectively around my shoulder. We truly were siblings forged by violence and loyalty, and I loved him with my whole heart. Ryder’s words touched something profound within my soul.

”You’ve been my daughter since our very first meeting—blood means nothing compared to loyalty. I tell everyone I have two children, but that the girl is both deadlier and more beautiful,” Ryder said with dark humor, making me laugh through my tears. ”Gemma, I’m incredibly proud of you and honored to have you in our family. But I’d like to make it official within our organization. Would you do me the honor of accepting my name and legally becoming my daughter in the eyes of both law and family?”

”What?” I whispered, stunned.

”Nothing would bring me greater joy than to officially recognize you as my blood. The judge is here for that purpose,” Ryder explained with deadly seriousness. ”I’m going to walk you down the aisle to your future husband later today, but I want to do it as officially your father. When I give you away to Dominic at the altar, I want you carrying my name and my protection.”

Emotion overwhelmed me. Throughout my life, I’d been abandoned by the man who contributed to my DNA—a coward who only surfaced to cause pain. Yet without realizing it, someone had chosen me as their daughter, someone with no obligation who simply chose to love and protect me. Ryder was filling an enormous void in my heart, giving me something I’d always craved: acceptance and belonging in a world where family meant survival.

He embraced me, and we remained that way until my tears subsided. Zander stood beside us, his smile conveying his wholehearted approval of gaining an official sister.

”Come on, Beautiful, let’s be family forever!” Zander grinned, and I couldn’t help but laugh with pure affection.

”When I came of age, I removed my biological father from all documents because he brought nothing but danger into my life,” I explained. ”You all supported that decision. It was you, Ryder, who arranged everything exactly as I wanted, never questioning my choices, simply protecting me. In my heart, you’ve been my father since you first eliminated the threats in my neighborhood when I was barely surviving alone. You taught me to fight back against anyone who tried to harm me. Nothing feels more right than having your name officially on my papers as my father—taking the place that’s rightfully yours through blood spilled and loyalty earned.”

”Daughter!” Ryder declared, kissing my hands as our family cheered around us with genuine emotion.

We approached the table where the judge shared thoughtful words about the true meaning of family in our world and the sacred value of chosen loyalty. His speech was brief but powerfully moving.

As the sun rose fully over the harbor, casting golden light over our protected territory, Ryder and I signed the legal documents. In that moment, I was reborn as Gemma Valance Shepherd, daughter of Ryder Shepherd and heir to his protection. For the first time in my life, I truly felt like a treasured daughter.

”Thank you, Dad,” I said as I embraced Ryder, who was now overwhelmed with fierce pride. It was the first time I’d called him Dad, and from that moment on, that’s what he would be until my dying breath.