Chapter 325: Chapter 109 Week Long Surprise

Dominic’s POV

Our family gathering at the secure compound was winding down, with everyone exchanging final embraces and farewells. Nadia and Quentin were the last senior members to leave, yet I noticed with confusion that Vincenzo and Carmen remained comfortably seated on our new armored couch in the reinforced living room.

"Time to head back to the main house, you two," I said with a gentle smile, assuming they were simply tired from the day’s family council activities.

Carmen looked up at me with that precocious expression she often wore. "We’ve already said goodbye to them, Uncle!"

I glanced through the bulletproof windows, watching Nadia turn to wave one final time before disappearing through the fortified gate. Gemma was waving back cheerfully from our secured entrance. My gaze shifted between my niece and nephew sprawled on my couch and my woman, who sealed the reinforced door with a suspiciously wide grin, blowing me a kiss as she passed.

"Now, my precious ones," Gemma announced dramatically, settling herself between the kids, "I demand a foot massage!"

Without hesitation, Vincenzo slid onto the carpet, carefully removed her shoes, and began massaging one foot. Carmen snuggled against Gemma’s arm as they excitedly discussed weekend plans for activities within the compound.

"Join us, Uncle," Vincenzo called out. "I’ll take one foot, you take the other."

I felt laughter bubbling up but complied, sitting beside my nephew on the floor. "Would someone care to explain what exactly is happening here?" I asked, taking Gemma’s other foot while keeping my ear tuned for any security alerts.

"Mmm, that feels heavenly," Gemma purred, exchanging a conspiratorial smile with Carmen. "Want to share our little secret with Uncle Dominic, Carmen?"

"May I?" Carmen asked eagerly, continuing after Gemma’s nod. "We’re staying with you for several days in the new safe house!" Her green eyes sparkled with excitement.

"What a shock," I replied, sarcasm dripping from every word. "Your parents couldn’t even let us settle into our secured perimeter properly before pawning off you two troublemakers."

Vincenzo laughed beside me. "Come on, Uncle. You’re absolutely thrilled to have your favorite niece and nephew staying in your fortress."

"Oh yes, I can barely contain my overwhelming joy," I grumbled. "And why didn’t my goddess mention this protective custody arrangement?"

"Helloooo," Carmen interrupted, waving her hand for attention. "It was supposed to be a surprise, silly!"

I couldn’t help laughing, suddenly understanding why they’d arrived with overnight bags packed with secure communication devices. I had to admit, having these two under my direct protection for the weekend might actually be reassuring given the recent territorial tensions.

We lingered in the living room, sharing stories and laughter while the compound’s security system hummed quietly around us. Carmen demonstrated her latest ballet moves, Vincenzo recounted the trials of being in his later teens in a mafia family, and Gemma entertained us with tales of her own rebellious teenage years before joining our world.

Watching them, I felt a strange yearning stirring within me—the desire for children of our own blood to protect and guide through this dangerous life. My mother and Willow had planted that seed earlier during family discussions about legacy, and it was starting to take root in my mind.

When Gemma finally suggested the kids prepare for rest, they begged for a movie night with popcorn in the secured entertainment room. Of course, Gemma immediately loved the idea, much to my chagrin.

"Everyone change into night clothes and meet in the upstairs secure viewing room," Gemma instructed, standing up. "Carmen sweetie, could you take my shoes to the walk-in safe, please?"

"Sure!" Carmen grabbed the shoes enthusiastically before heading upstairs with Vincenzo toward the reinforced sleeping quarters.

"I’ll help you, goddess," I offered, following Gemma to the kitchen where our food supplies were stored behind concealed panels.

While she prepared the popcorn, I gathered containers, cups, and beverages, arranging everything on a tray as Gemma filled the bowls with freshly popped kernels, the familiar domestic routine contrasting sharply with the weapons cache hidden behind false cabinets.

"My goddess," I began casually, "what’s behind this surprise protective custody with my niece and nephew? We just reconciled after the bloodshed—I thought you’d want more private time with me."

"Darling, I adore these kids!" Gemma replied cheerfully. "The compound is enormous, and since I’m not working next week at Caleb’s front operation—"

"Wait, why aren’t you working?" I interrupted, already fantasizing about whisking her away on my yacht to international waters for a private getaway.

"There’s an extended period starting later this week, and Caleb gave me the full week off because I’m such an exemplary employee in his legitimate enterprises."

"I’d forgotten about that operational pause," I admitted. "Perhaps I should give Zoe time off too, so I can spend it holding you close without surveillance duties."

"That would be wonderful!" Gemma reached for some imported chocolates from our secure pantry, adding them to our tray.

"Perfect. I’ll need to compensate for behaving myself this weekend with the children under our protection," I winked suggestively.

Gemma grabbed the beverage bottle, her expression suspiciously innocent. "Actually, my darling," she started walking toward the stairs, "they’re staying the entire week."

"The wh—" I choked mid-sentence. "What do you mean ’the entire week,’ Gemma?"

"Nadia and Quentin are leaving for Monaco shortly," she explained, already ascending the reinforced staircase.

"Monaco for family business?" I felt panic rising at the thought of international complications.

"That’s the only one I know of. They’re having a sort of delayed honeymoon under family protection." Her calm tone was maddening as I rushed to catch up.

"When are they returning? Are the little ones really staying under our direct protection? What will we do with them during lockdown?" My heart was racing uncomfortably.

"Handsome," Gemma paused at the top of the secured stairs, "they’re staying with us, and we’ll have a fantastic time as long as we don’t lose them or let them compromise security protocols. There’s plenty we can do together within the compound. But..."

"But what, Gemma?" I was nearly in distress. I’d never spent this much consecutive time with my niece and nephew under protection protocols. Sure, Vincenzo had stayed over before during minor territorial disputes, but he was self-sufficient, and Nadia was always just a secure call away. Carmen was still so young, and their parents would be in international territory.

"I’m not entirely sure their parents are coming back," Gemma said with alarming seriousness.

"Don’t joke about abandonment in this business!" I felt genuine terror before she burst into laughter.

"Relax, Dominic! They’ll return by week’s end," she assured me, clearly amused by my distress. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

When we entered the secure viewing room, the kids were already arguing about movie selection—Vincenzo advocating for action films while Carmen pushed for animated features.

This was going to be an unbearably long week of protective custody.

"Let’s compromise with comedy," Gemma intervened smoothly. "Pick something that’ll make me laugh." Their argument instantly ceased. "I’ll change into comfortable clothes and be right back."

I noticed the kids wearing matching cartoon pajamas and found it amusing despite our circumstances. Before I could comment, Gemma pulled me toward our fortified bedroom.

"Nadia certainly has interesting taste, buying matching sleepwear for her children," I chuckled as we entered our secured room, and Gemma handed me a folded garment.

"I’m delighted you approve, handsome, but it wasn’t Nadia," Gemma replied with a mischievous smile as she retrieved her own night clothes.

Several minutes later, despite my protests about maintaining dignity befitting a Capo, I sat in the secure viewing room with the love of my life and my sister’s children, all wearing coordinating Homer Simpson pajamas while the compound’s defense systems maintained their silent vigil.

Oh, Gemma would definitely pay for this breach of my fearsome reputation—I’d make absolutely certain of it.