Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask

Gemma’s POV

As the weeks passed, the memory of Marcus’s brutal assault gradually retreated to the shadows of my mind. The horrific attack became another buried scar in my collection of traumas, and the nightmares that had tormented my sleep finally began to fade.

Nick’s sudden disappearance from the streets should have brought me relief. Instead, his absence only amplified my unease. I understood enough about street predators to know that when they vanished, they were usually plotting their next move from the shadows. Nancy’s persistent appearances near Caleb’s legitimate businesses served as constant reminders that Nick remained a deadly threat lurking in my world.

Adding fuel to my mounting concerns, Beatrix had appointed herself as my personal tormentor. The spoiled mafia princess created chaos wherever our paths crossed. According to Zoe, despite Dominic’s explicit orders banning her from all Thorne family territories, Beatrix continued her relentless campaign, stationing herself outside our establishments like some deranged sentinel, determined to reclaim what she believed belonged to her.

While neither Beatrix nor Nancy truly terrified me anymore, Nick’s invisible presence continued to poison my thoughts. Still, I refused to let fear control my existence. I was determined to maintain whatever normalcy remained possible in my dangerous new reality.

One afternoon, an overwhelming craving for meat pies consumed me. The intensity caught me off guard, but I decided to embrace it. I called Lila and suggested meeting at the small Italian café near Caleb’s corporate front for coffee. She enthusiastically agreed to join me.

After claiming our usual corner table, I proceeded to order four different varieties of meat pies, earning a bewildered stare from Lila. The portions weren’t exactly modest, but my cravings demanded diversity. We were laughing together, discussing Erica and Audrey’s animated plans for organizing my bachelorette party scheduled for the following Saturday, when an unwelcome interruption shattered our peaceful moment.

"Bachelorette party? How pathetically common!" Beatrix’s venomous voice cut through our conversation as she materialized beside our table. "Don’t waste precious time planning something that will never see daylight. You need to face reality and accept that you’ll never become Mrs. Frost. Dominic belongs to me, always has. Not even that decrepit whore Nancy managed to steal him permanently."

"Speaking of whores, did someone mention my name?" Nancy’s voice dripped with malice as she appeared behind Beatrix like a vengeful specter.

"Perfect timing! Finally crawled out from whatever rock you’ve been hiding under, you ancient relic?" Beatrix spun to confront Nancy, her face twisted with disgust. I settled back in my chair, realizing this confrontation might actually prove entertaining.

"Watch that sharp tongue of yours, little girl, or you might find yourself permanently silenced," Nancy threatened, stepping dangerously close to Beatrix.

Beatrix released a cold, calculating laugh. "You overestimate your importance in this world, corpse!"

Their venomous exchange suggested a shared history of mutual hatred, with each woman possessing intimate knowledge of the other’s weaknesses and triggers.

"Listen carefully, Dumb-bella. I don’t think I matter, I know I do. I was Dominic’s legitimate girlfriend while you were just his convenient plaything," Nancy taunted with surgical precision.

Beatrix’s face flushed crimson with rage. "At least I never traded him away for his own father! And for your information, all these years he found endless pleasure in my body while you were rotting away in whatever hellhole you disappeared to."

"You were merely a temporary distraction, Isa-fool! Just like this other pathetic creature here." Nancy gestured dismissively toward me with theatrical contempt. "MY Dominic was simply killing time with you two insignificant wenches. Now that I’ve returned, he’ll soon be feeding from my palm like the obedient dog he truly is." She extended her palm mockingly and tapped it with her index finger.

"You’re completely delusional, Denture Margaret. Dominic is mine! Neither you nor this fraudulent pregnant woman will succeed in stealing him from me." Beatrix’s voice escalated dangerously, drawing unwanted attention from nearby patrons who weren’t already captivated by the public spectacle.

"We finally agree on something, Isa-fool. This nobody doesn’t possess even the slightest chance with Dominic," Nancy cackled, her face contorting with such twisted satisfaction that she momentarily resembled a demon emerging from hell. Suddenly, her predatory smile vanished completely. "Wait, did you just say pregnant? This worthless creature is carrying a child?"

"Wow, your brain works slower than expected, Diaper-Changing Margaret," Beatrix mocked ruthlessly. "Yes, this shameless gold digger decided to employ the oldest manipulation tactic in existence. She got herself knocked up by Dominic and now they’re supposedly engaged. But I’m already implementing plans to ensure that fairy tale never reaches its conclusion."

An icy chill coursed through my entire body. The absolute last thing I needed was for Nick to discover my pregnancy through these vindictive women’s loose tongues. That knowledge would only intensify his dangerous obsession and potentially endanger both me and my innocent unborn child. What had begun as an amusing public confrontation had rapidly transformed into a legitimate threat when Beatrix’s reckless mouth revealed my most vulnerable secret. I needed to evacuate this situation immediately.

I subtly signaled Hunter, who instantly positioned his imposing frame between the feuding women and our table like a human fortress.

"I’m going to politely request that you both step away from this area," Hunter stated firmly, his protective stance radiating barely contained violence.

"This establishment serves the public, you oversized caveman," Beatrix protested with false bravado.

"You really don’t want to discover what I’m capable of doing to either of you, miss." For the first time since knowing him, Hunter’s presence felt genuinely terrifying even to me.

"Lay one finger on me and I’ll scream bloody murder," Nancy threatened desperately.

"Please do exactly that. It’ll give me legitimate reason to become significantly more irritated than I currently am. Now step away." Hunter advanced toward them menacingly while simultaneously signaling our waitress, who quickly wrapped my remaining food and processed our payment with practiced efficiency.

I stood with Lila beside me, and we exited the café with Hunter maintaining close protective formation behind us. Only when we safely entered Caleb’s heavily secured office building did my racing heart finally begin to slow, though my mind continued spinning with terrifying concerns about Nick’s potential reaction to news of my pregnancy.

"Miss Gemma," Hunter’s authoritative voice interrupted my spiraling thoughts. "I’m required to report this incident directly to Mr. Dominic. Would you prefer to speak with him first?"

"Yes, Hunter. Please give me some time to explain the situation to him personally." I released a shaky breath that seemed to burn my throat, my entire body trembling with genuine fear.

"Gemma, maybe you should consider taking extended leave from work," Lila suggested gently, her eyes reflecting deep concern. "When Nick discovers you’re pregnant, he’s going to escalate this situation beyond anything we’ve seen before." She had perfectly articulated my exact terror.

"Lila, I refuse to abandon my position. I’m completely safe within these walls. I believe it’s wiser if I simply avoid leaving this building until this entire nightmare reaches its resolution." I remained steadfast in maintaining my professional responsibilities despite the mounting dangers.

"Alright. But I’m genuinely worried about you. I’m going to inform Daniel about this incident immediately." Lila mentioned her boyfriend with a heavy, troubled sigh.

"Still experiencing difficulties with him?" I asked, studying her conflicted expression carefully.

"Still," she replied simply, her voice heavy with unresolved pain. "But I’ll find a way to work through it eventually."