Dominic’s POV

The private Thorne family club sat nestled in the hills overlooking Port Serenity, its marble terraces gleaming in the morning sun as I arrived for my scheduled meeting with Xavier. We hadn’t sparred in the underground training facility in months, and I was looking forward to reconnecting with my old friend outside the constant pressures of family business. Finding a comfortable spot on the observation deck, I settled in to wait, letting the warmth of the day ease some of the tension that never fully left my shoulders.

My attention drifted to the pool area below, where a father was playing with his young son in the crystal-clear water. The boy couldn’t have been more than a toddler, splashing excitedly while his father pretended to be some fearsome sea creature from the depths. Their laughter echoed across the stone deck, pure and unguarded in a way that seemed almost foreign in our world of constant vigilance and measured words.

Something about their interaction stirred an unexpected longing deep in my chest - a desire that had been growing stronger with each passing day since Vincenzo and Carmen had been staying with us. The way Gemma’s face lit up when she helped them with homework, how naturally she’d fallen into the rhythm of family life, it had awakened something in me I’d never seriously contemplated before.

For some time now, I’d been wrestling with thoughts that would have seemed impossible not so long ago. But how could I bring such a conversation up with Gemma? Would she even want the same future I was beginning to envision?

"Dominic! It’s been far too long, darling."

The sickeningly sweet voice cut through my contemplation like a blade. Standing beside me in a designer dress that left little to the imagination was Nancy - tall, artificially enhanced, with the kind of calculated beauty that once might have impressed me. Years had passed since I’d last been forced to endure her presence, and I’d hoped our paths would never cross again.

"Nancy," I replied coolly, remaining seated and making no move to acknowledge her properly. "It has been a long time."

She pouted with practiced theatricality, the expression she’d perfected to manipulate weaker men. "Don’t I deserve at least a proper greeting? A kiss hello?"

Looking up at her, I didn’t bother masking my disgust. She maintained her physical appeal, certainly, but I knew the poisonous nature that lurked beneath that carefully crafted exterior. "No. You don’t."

"Oh, come now, Dominic. You used to worship my kisses," she purred, leaning toward me with the kind of calculated seduction she’d once wielded like a weapon.

Standing abruptly, I put several feet of distance between us, my hand instinctively moving toward the concealed weapon at my side. "You’re referring to a time when I was a foolish young man, ruled by base instincts and easily manipulated. I’m not that naive boy anymore." I turned to leave without bothering with further pleasantries.

"I seriously doubt you’ve forgotten me completely!" Her laughter was sharp as glass against my spine. "Especially considering you’re still unmarried and, from what I’ve heard through certain circles, you’ve never had another serious relationship."

I pivoted slowly, facing her with the kind of cold contempt I usually reserved for family enemies. "Your sources are remarkably unreliable. I have a beautiful woman who shares my home and my life."

Moving closer, I allowed myself a moment of fierce pride. "You see, Nancy, I chose to wait patiently for the right woman to appear in my life, and she did - like an angel descended from heaven itself. Meanwhile, I built an empire, transformed my father’s failing operations into a technological powerhouse that spans the entire eastern seaboard. I was patient, persistent, and loyal. You, on the other hand, appear to have become nothing more than an expensive ornament for whichever man can afford your services this week."

Her perfectly manicured hand flew toward my face in a rage, but I caught her wrist mid-air with the reflexes that had kept me alive in this business. Our eyes locked as I applied just enough pressure to make my point crystal clear - never again would she dare to touch me. I released her and walked away toward the training facilities.

"We’ll see if you’ve truly forgotten me, Dominic," she called after me, but her words dissolved into the morning air behind me like the empty threats they were.

Xavier found me brooding in the equipment room, methodically checking the clips on my shoulder holsters. "Don’t tell me you’re already growing tired of domestic bliss?" he teased, his familiar grin breaking through the dark cloud that had settled over my mood.

"Brother, the most surprising part is that I never imagined I’d enjoy family life as much as I do. I don’t even want to give my sister’s children back when she returns!" I admitted, greeting him with our usual firm handshake.

He raised an eyebrow with genuine curiosity. "Then why do you look like someone just insulted your bloodline?"

"You won’t believe who just had the audacity to approach me."

"Who dared?" Xavier’s expression immediately shifted to something more dangerous, the easy humor replaced by the cold calculation of a family consigliere.

I sighed heavily, running a hand through my hair. "Let’s skip combat training today and find somewhere private to drink. I need to talk through some things."

"Should I call Caleb and the others?"

"Not necessary. It’s nothing that requires family intervention, just thoughts that won’t stop circling in my head, and I need to voice them to someone I trust."

"Don’t you discuss everything with Gemma?" he asked as we made our way toward the private bar area.

"This particular subject might terrify her," I replied with a rueful half-smile.

Settled at a secluded corner table with glasses of our finest whiskey, I gathered my scattered thoughts while Xavier waited with the patience of a man accustomed to extracting confessions and secrets.

"Start by identifying who had the nerve to disturb your peace," he prompted, genuine curiosity evident in his dark eyes.

"Nancy," I stated flatly.

Xavier’s eyes widened with a mixture of surprise and disgust. "Nancy? The same parasitic witch who..."

"The very one who abandoned me for my father’s money and convinced him to divorce my mother," I confirmed grimly.

"What does that vulture want, crawling out of whatever hole she’s been hiding in? That woman never makes a move without a calculated agenda," Xavier muttered, shaking his head with obvious distaste.

"She was clearly attempting to seduce me back into her web. I suspect she’s hunting for a new wealthy fool to bankroll her lifestyle."

"She has some serious nerve showing her face here!" Xavier exclaimed, his voice carrying the edge that made him so effective in family negotiations. "I’m telling you, what were we thinking in our youth - you, Caleb, and myself? We seemed magnetically drawn to the most toxic women possible, and now they’re all crawling back like roaches."

I nodded grimly. "Exactly my thoughts. I just pray that opportunistic predator keeps her distance from Gemma and understood clearly that she has absolutely no chance of reclaiming any piece of my life."

"I’m not sure a simple rejection will be enough to discourage someone like her, but we can hope. However, I don’t think that encounter is what’s really weighing on your mind."

I hesitated, then took a steadying drink before admitting, "No, it’s not the primary concern. Actually, these past weeks with Vincenzo and Carmen staying in our home have me thinking constantly about building a real family."

Xavier nearly choked on his whiskey. "Madonna mia! That’s incredible! You, who always swore you’d never bring children into this world of ours?"

"I know, I know. But Gemma changed everything, Xavier. I want it all now - Sunday family dinners, a house full of laughter, children running through our halls..."

"And does Gemma share these desires?" he asked with careful restraint.

"I honestly don’t know. And I have no idea how to broach such a monumental conversation with her."

Xavier leaned forward intently. "My friend, the solution is simple - you talk to her."

"But what if she doesn’t want the same future I’m envisioning and decides to end things between us?"

"The real question you need to answer is this: would having children be more important to you than having Gemma in your life?"

The answer came without any hesitation whatsoever. "Never."

"Then make that priority crystal clear to her, and you’ll navigate this successfully."

I checked my watch, considering his straightforward advice carefully. "You’re absolutely right, as usual." I would have this crucial conversation with Gemma after my niece and nephew returned home. Some discussions were far too important to rush or conduct with distractions present.