Gemma’s POV

After receiving Zoe’s encrypted message, I was done waiting in the shadows. I rushed back to my apartment for a scalding shower, applied war paint with meticulous precision, spritzed my signature perfume, and slipped into the black dress I’d been saving for a special occasion. My stilettos clicked like gunshots across the hardwood as I prepared myself for battle. Today, I was reclaiming my place at Dominic’s side, regardless of which safe house he’d retreated to.

My first call went to my most trusted ally within the Thorne organization.

"Aunt Gemma, beautiful as always! How’s life in the family treating you?" Vincenzo answered with characteristic warmth, though I detected the underlying tension that came with our world.

"I’m losing my mind and need backup," I replied without preamble. His tone shifted immediately to the clipped professionalism of a made man. "What’s the situation?"

"I need to locate your uncle. He’s gone completely dark – hasn’t been to any of his usual locations in ages," I explained, my words tumbling out in a rush.

"Hold the line, Aunt Gemma." I heard Vincenzo step away, likely conferring with his security detail before returning. "Nonna thinks he might be holed up at her penthouse. What’s your current location?"

"Home base."

"Get ready for extraction. I’ll bring a car and we’ll hit Nonna’s place together."

"I’m already dressed for war. And Vincenzo, you don’t have to risk this for me."

"Uncle Dominic’s been off the grid too long, Aunt Gemma. If you’re ready to bring him back into the fold, we need to move before you lose your nerve."

"You’re a true soldier, Vincenzo. Thank you."

I disconnected and paced anxiously until Vincenzo signaled from the street below. At Bee’s penthouse fortress, armed security waved us through after recognizing Vincenzo. Soon, the family matriarch appeared in the marble foyer.

"What a delightful surprise!" She clasped her jeweled hands together. "You’ve come to see your old Nonna."

"Nonna, you look absolutely radiant! There’s something different about you – spill the family secrets," Vincenzo teased, earning a subtle blush from the elderly don’s widow.

"Just your imagination, grandson." She kissed his cheek before embracing me with genuine warmth. "Please, come sit. You’ll stay for dinner, naturally."

"Another time, Bee. Right now, I desperately need intelligence on Dominic’s whereabouts," I said, unable to hide the urgency in my voice.

"Child, you seem ready for war," she observed, noting how my hands trembled despite my attempts at composure.

"I am! I’ve been tracking Dominic since yesterday without success, and all his communication channels are dark."

"Hmm." She studied me with the calculating gaze of someone who’d survived decades in our world. "Have you decided to forgive him for his transgressions?" 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"I can’t survive another day without him." A tear escaped down my carefully made-up cheek. "I need to find him, Bee. And if he’s taken shelter with another family, I won’t back down from a fight."

"That’s the fire I like to see!" She smiled with approval. "Gemma, Dominic’s been maintaining a suite at a secure hotel for some time. He told me he couldn’t bear staying in your shared territory without you, and he feared returning to the apartment would sabotage any chance of reconciliation. He refused sanctuary here as well, and I respected his choice for tactical reasons," she explained, giving me slight relief knowing he hadn’t fled to another city’s organization.

"Mama’s going to eliminate him when she discovers he didn’t seek protection with her crew!" Vincenzo shook his head knowingly.

"Here’s the location." Bee disappeared briefly, returning with coordinates written in her careful script. "He loves you fiercely, Gemma. There’s been no one else in his bed since your separation."

Vincenzo and I bid our farewells and moved swiftly toward the exit. We signaled our driver, arriving at the hotel within minutes.

"I’m providing backup, Aunt Gemma. If he’s not here, we’ll hit every safe house in the territory," Vincenzo declared as we exited the armored vehicle, his loyalty filling me with gratitude.

At the reception desk, we learned Dominic had checked out that morning. According to the concierge, he’d been accompanied by a striking blonde who occasionally issued orders in the commanding tone of a lieutenant.

"That has to be Zoe! And I’ve been waiting for her intel all day!" I fumed, recognizing the description of Dominic’s most trusted operative.

I attempted contact multiple times – first reaching voicemail, then finding her completely unreachable. My frustration with her strategic games was mounting dangerously.

"What’s our next tactical move, Aunt Gemma?" Vincenzo inquired.

"We start working through his inner circle," I replied as we returned to the armored sedan.

I contacted Finn first, who knew nothing beyond confirming Zoe hadn’t returned to base. Jude had no actionable intelligence. Caleb mentioned Dominic hadn’t visited the next generation in a while. Xavier didn’t acknowledge my call. Daniel was equally uninformed. I tried reaching Xavier again without success, same result with Ruby.

"Let’s check Uncle Xavier’s compound, Aunt Gemma. He might have granted sanctuary," Vincenzo suggested.

"Solid thinking," I agreed.

At Xavier’s fortified estate, we were escorted through multiple security checkpoints before being asked to wait in the receiving room. Soon, Xavier and Ruby appeared, both radiating the controlled tension of high-ranking family members.

"Gemma, what’s the emergency?" Ruby asked immediately, her trained eyes assessing my state.

"I can’t locate Dominic anywhere, Ru. I need to bring him home." My voice cracked with emotion despite my attempts at maintaining composure.

"I’ll activate the network," Xavier offered, already reaching for his encrypted phone.

"I’ve already contacted the entire inner circle. Nobody has actionable intel, and his communications are completely dark," I explained hastily. "The only person who might have information is playing games with me."

"Zoe?" Ruby asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Exactly," I growled.

"Let me try the direct line," Xavier activated his phone while Ruby checked her encrypted messages.

"Zo," Xavier said when she answered. "Gemma’s here conducting a search operation for Dominic." He listened intently, his expression shifting. "Really?" His eyebrows rose with interest. "Copy that, will comply."

Xavier ended the call and faced me with barely concealed amusement.

"What intelligence did she provide? Why is she avoiding my communications?" I demanded, barely containing my anxiety.

"She says you’re too impatient for operational security and should maintain position as requested." Xavier chuckled. "She wants you to remain here at the compound."

"Why this specific location?" I questioned.

"Need-to-know basis only," Xavier replied, eyes twinkling with insider knowledge. "Gemma, why this sudden offensive to reclaim Dominic? You even recruited Vincenzo for the operation."

"Uncle Xavier, I wouldn’t miss this reunion for anything. She’s finally ready to forgive my uncle!" Vincenzo announced before I could formulate a response.

"About damn time!" Xavier and Ruby exclaimed in unison.

"Apparently the entire family thinks I should have launched this operation ages ago!" I protested.

"You absolutely should have, before the situation escalated!" Ruby insisted. "You owe us a full debrief later. No more operational secrets."

"I want complete details too," Xavier laughed, pulling Ruby closer in a rare display of public affection.

A while later, Xavier’s compound was packed with family members. Ruby had transmitted news of my intended reconciliation with Dominic throughout the network, and our associates had decided to converge for the occasion. My reunion with Dominic had evidently become a highly anticipated family event. Then finally, Zoe materialized!

"Darling, reporting for duty!" She swept into the room with characteristic flair.

"I could have you eliminated right now, you realize that?" I said with irritation. "Making me conduct a citywide manhunt like some amateur isn’t acceptable operational procedure."

"You might want me dead now, Gemma, but you’ll forgive me soon. I apologize for the deception, but I had strategic reasons," Zoe embraced me warmly.

"Fine, you’re pardoned. But where is he, Zo?" I asked desperately.

"Waiting at your residence. I’ll provide escort." Zoe grasped my hand.

"I’ll handle transportation, Zo. My driver’s standing by, and I need to return to base anyway," Vincenzo offered.

"Perfect, soldier. Here’s your access key, Gemma." Zoe pressed it into my palm, whispering, "Leave the past buried and claim your future."

I departed with Vincenzo providing tactical support. As we approached the house, my heart hammered so violently I feared it might betray my location to potential surveillance. When we arrived, I noticed warm light emanating from within the supposedly empty residence.

"Move out, Aunt Gemma. Find your happiness. I know Uncle loves you beyond reason!" Vincenzo encouraged me as I embraced him with profound gratitude.

The security detail opened the reinforced gate, and I advanced cautiously through the perimeter. I pushed open the heavy door and froze completely, scarcely believing the scene that awaited me in the shadows.