Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask

Vincenzo’s POV

While Uncle Dominic and I sat in the armored Escalade outside Thorne territory waiting for Carmen to slip the message to Aunt Gemma, I grabbed my encrypted phone and dialed Brenda’s number. The plan forming in my head needed backup, and fast.

"Hey gorgeous, want to catch a movie tonight?" I asked when she picked up.

"Absolutely," Brenda’s voice brightened immediately.

"Perfect. Think you could drag Juliet along? I know she’s been stressed with dental school and could use a break."

Brenda paused. "That’s random, but sure. Let me ask her."

Juliet was older than Brenda by several years, but she never made us feel like kids despite knowing about our family business. She was the most laid-back person I knew, which made her perfect for what I had in mind. Pure luck had struck when I spotted that text notification on Zoe’s secure phone earlier mentioning which theater and movie Aunt Gemma was hitting up with this Hunter character.

Carmen slid back into the car, slightly out of breath from navigating the family’s legitimate front businesses, and handed Uncle Dominic the folded note.

"Uncle Caleb, Uncle Xavier, and Uncle Jude all saw me in the executive offices," she announced, slightly panicked. "You better make sure they keep their mouths shut, especially Uncle Xavier. He gossips worse than Vincenzo about family business."

"Hey, that’s harsh even for you, little sister," I protested.

"Mom always says honesty shouldn’t get you in trouble with the family," Carmen fired back with that stubborn chin lift she’d perfected.

"Already handled, sweetheart. I texted them on the secure line to zip it," Uncle Dominic assured her, then unfolded the note with shaking fingers despite his usual Capo composure.

"What’s the verdict?" I leaned forward, catching Carmen’s satisfied smirk.

"Betrayal earns no second chances. If it did, even the devil would sprout wings again," Uncle Dominic read aloud, his voice cracking slightly. "Christ, she really knows how to twist the knife."

"At least she responded, right? That’s something," I offered, though his defeated expression made my chest tighten. Seeing a Thorne family Capo look this broken was unsettling.

"Yeah, something," he muttered.

I barely had enough time to race home to our family compound for the world’s quickest shower before arriving at Brenda’s house right on schedule, making sure to switch to an unmarked civilian vehicle.

"Hey gorgeous," I said, lifting Brenda’s hand to my lips while nodding respectfully at her mother and Juliet, who were lounging in the living room, both blissfully unaware of what my family really did for a living.

"You won’t keep them out too late, will you Vincenzo?" Mrs. Sanchez asked with that motherly concern I’d grown used to.

"Just the movie and maybe grab some food after. I’ll have them home at a reasonable hour," I promised, then turned to Juliet with my most charming smile. "You’re definitely coming with us, right?"

"Vincenzo, you’re sweet, but I’m really not feeling it tonight," Juliet said, curled up on the couch in her pajamas.

"Come on, it’s that movie you mentioned wanting to see," I pushed.

"What movie? I never said anything about wanting to see a movie," Juliet looked genuinely confused.

I pulled out my phone, typed "Hunter" on the screen, and angled it so only she could see while keeping it hidden from her mother.

"This one," I said meaningfully.

Juliet’s eyes widened, and her mouth opened to ask something, but I cut her off.

"Better hurry and get ready so we’re not late. Already got the tickets through our family connections."

Juliet shot up from the couch like she’d been electrocuted, shouting over her shoulder to her mom that she’d changed her mind while disappearing down the hallway.

Thank God Mom had let me borrow one of the family drivers tonight. We’d need the speed and the legitimate cover. The moment we were in the car with the privacy partition raised, Juliet pounced.

"How do you know Hunter?" she demanded.

"I don’t know the guy personally, but he’s going to be at this showing with someone important to my family," I explained carefully.

"Who?" Both girls asked simultaneously.

"My uncle’s girlfriend. Well, ex-girlfriend."

"Wait, is Gemma cheating on your uncle?" Brenda’s voice pitched higher with shock.

"No, Uncle Dominic made some serious mistakes. They’re broken up, but not really broken up, you know? She met Hunter through some civilian friend connection, they went out yesterday, and they’re out again today."

"So are they together or not?" Juliet pressed.

"Nothing’s happened yet, and if I have anything to say about it, nothing will happen. My uncle needs her back," I said firmly.

"I like this plan," Juliet nodded approvingly.

"Fair warning though, she’s absolutely stunning," I added.

"Juliet, Gemma is seriously gorgeous and super sweet," Brenda chimed in helpfully.

Juliet’s face fell. "Great, way to boost my confidence, guys."

"We’re not trying to discourage you, just being honest. But don’t worry, Gemma belongs with my uncle. We just need to make sure she and Hunter stay in the friend zone," I explained.

We reached the upscale mall in neutral territory and moved quickly. The key was arriving before them so it wouldn’t look orchestrated. We got our tickets, loaded up on popcorn, and found a strategic corner to wait.

"There they are," I whispered when I spotted them entering, Gemma looking every inch the mafia queen she was destined to become.

"I’m going home," Juliet announced, turning to flee.

"Juliet, what the hell? Why are you bailing?" I grabbed her arm, completely confused.

"Look at that woman, Vincenzo. She’s a literal goddess," Juliet’s eyes were actually watering.

"That’s exactly what my uncle calls her," I grinned. "But what’s the problem?"

"The problem is me," Juliet gestured at herself frantically. "Next to her, I look like a discount store knockoff. There’s no way Hunter would choose me after seeing her."

"Juliet, stop being ridiculous," I gripped her shoulders. "You’re beautiful. Sure, Gemma and her crew are in a league of their own, but you’re gorgeous too. And besides, we’re not letting Hunter end up with her anyway. Family loyalty comes first."

"There are more like her?" Juliet asked weakly.

I nodded, laughing. "Several of them total. They’re all traffic-stopping beautiful and amazing people. The Thorne family women don’t mess around."

Brenda smacked my arm hard. "Ow, babe! I’m just stating facts. But you’re the only one who makes my heart race," I added, stealing a quick kiss. "Now let’s move before we lose our chance. And Juliet, act surprised when you see Hunter."

We approached Aunt Gemma casually, striking up conversation. The moment Hunter spotted Juliet, I had to bite back laughter. The poor civilian went white as a sheet and started trembling like he was facing down a made man.

"Vincenzo, meet my friend Hunter. Hunter, this is Vincenzo, his girlfriend Brenda, and her sister Juliet," Aunt Gemma made the introductions smoothly, her poise reminding me why she belonged in our world.

"Hey man, good to meet you," I said, shaking his slightly damp hand with just enough grip to let him know I wasn’t some regular teenager.

"H-hi there," he stammered, clearing his throat nervously.

"We’ve met before, haven’t we Griffin?" Juliet said coolly, approaching him with complete confidence and giving him kisses on the cheek while he stood frozen like a deer in headlights.

"You two know each other?" Aunt Gemma asked, curiosity evident in her voice, that sharp intelligence that made her perfect for Uncle Dominic flashing in her eyes. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"We’ve known each other for ages. What brings you here tonight, Juliet?" Hunter managed, still looking shell-shocked.

"Movie night with my sister and her boyfriend. I’ve been dying to see this one," Juliet pointed to the poster beside us, "so I convinced these lovebirds to tag along and spend some quality time together."

"What a coincidence," Hunter said awkwardly, and I could see Aunt Gemma studying him with growing suspicion, her instincts sharpened by months in our world.

"Right? Crazy how these things work out," Juliet beamed with Robert-worthy enthusiasm.

"We should head in before the previews end," I suggested, taking Brenda’s hand and placing my other hand on Aunt Gemma’s back, guiding her toward the theater while leaving Juliet and Hunter trailing behind. To keep things natural, I started rambling about how Aunt Ruby and Aunt Lila were planning to move to larger safe houses within family territory.

The girls and I executed our plan flawlessly. Hunter ended up sandwiched between Aunt Gemma and Juliet during the entire movie, barely able to focus on the screen. When it ended, I smoothly suggested dinner at Aunt Gemma’s favorite restaurant in the mall, making sure to emphasize how much she loved the place so she couldn’t refuse without seeming rude.

But as we prepared to leave the restaurant, I faced a crucial problem. How could I prevent Hunter from driving Aunt Gemma home to her secured apartment? They’d barely gotten any words in during the movie and dinner, so I needed to think fast.

Then I remembered the advanced mathematics materials Aunt Gemma had mentioned lending me recently for my accelerated program.

"Hey Auntie, sorry to be a pain, but could I grab those calculus notes you offered to lend me?" I asked with practiced innocence.

"Tonight?" she asked, and I deployed my most pitiful puppy dog expression.

"Okay fine, but I came with Hunter," she sighed.

"No problem at all. If Griffin wants to see you home safely, that’s totally cool. My driver can just follow you guys for security," I said casually.

Aunt Gemma looked at Hunter expectantly.

"I’d love to see you home safely, Gemma, since you came out with me tonight," Hunter said, clearly smitten but having no idea he was dealing with a woman under Thorne family protection.

"Such a gentleman," I said, clapping his shoulder. "I respect that completely. Where’s your car parked, Griffin? We’ll meet you there."

In our family car, I’d already arranged with Juliet to cover for me with her mom if we ran late, and she’d agreed immediately. When we reached Aunt Gemma’s secured building in the safe zone, all of us climbed out and waited by the entrance. There was absolutely no way Hunter could go upstairs if he wanted alone time with her, because we’d be right there the entire time, and I knew the building had family security measures he couldn’t bypass anyway.

They exchanged polite cheek kisses, he waved goodbye to us, and drove off into the night, completely unaware he’d just been outmaneuvered by Thorne family tactics.

"Come on up, Vincenzo," Aunt Gemma said, approaching the building entrance with resigned amusement, her keycard already in hand for the reinforced entry system.