Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask (by Silver Spoon) novel Chapter 248

Chapter 248: Chapter 32 Safe Serenity Found

Dominic’s POV

The chaos Marcus had unleashed on the family needed time to settle. After his venomous visit to my territory, I immediately contacted my mother to warn her that the exile had returned to Port Serenity. Her response was swift and decisive, exactly what I expected from a woman who had survived decades in the Thorne organization.

"I’m leaving for a wellness retreat with the other wives," she announced without hesitation. "I refuse to let that toxic bastard destroy my peace again."

Smart woman. She had endured enough of his manipulation and psychological warfare over the years before the family finally cast him out.

Around mid-afternoon, Vincenzo burst through my office door like a ray of sunshine cutting through the storm clouds of family politics. Zoe glanced up from her intelligence reports as he approached with that trademark grin that could disarm any tension.

"Hey gorgeous, if your beauty kills me, will you give me CPR?" he delivered with theatrical flair that would make any wise guy proud.

Both Zoe and I erupted in laughter despite the day’s stress. "Kid, you’re absolutely shameless," I said, shaking my head at my nephew’s audacity.

"Sweetheart, when you’re legal, I might just take you up on that offer," Zoe played along, batting her eyelashes while never missing a beat in her work.

Vincenzo clutched his chest dramatically like he’d been shot. "A few years, beautiful. Mark your calendar because I’m holding you to that blood oath."

He dropped into the chair beside Zoe’s desk, his playful demeanor shifting as the reality of our family situation crept back in. "So I heard you had the pleasure of meeting our beloved patriarch?"

The sarcasm in his voice was thick as molten lead. My nephew had witnessed firsthand how Marcus had psychologically tormented his mother during his reign of terror, watching her breakdown countless times before his exile.

"Let’s not even discuss that snake," Zoe replied with pure disgust. "Thank God you and your uncle turned out nothing like him."

"Trust me, he represents everything I despise about the old ways," Vincenzo said, his usual humor fading into cold hatred that reminded me he was Thorne blood through and through. "And I’m just a teenager saying that."

"How did you even know he was back in territory?" I asked, though I suspected the answer would ignite my rage all over again.

"Because he’s camping out at our house, poisoning Mom’s mind against you," Vincenzo rolled his eyes with teenage exasperation mixed with genuine concern. "I had to leave before I did something that would require Zoe to clean up bodies. He kept ranting about how ungrateful you and Grandma are for not welcoming him back into the organization."

"And your mother is buying into his psychological warfare again?" I sighed heavily, feeling the familiar weight of family obligations crushing down.

Vincenzo nodded grimly, looking older than his years. "All those therapy sessions with the family counselor down the drain. He shows up and destroys all her progress every single time with his manipulative bullshit."

"Dominic, women in our world process these toxic family relationships differently than soldiers do," Zoe interjected thoughtfully, her fingers never stopping their work on the encrypted communications.

"Zoe, you saw him yourself. The man is pure poison, manipulative and dangerous," I explained, remembering how she’d witnessed Marcus’s verbal assault firsthand. "Nadia doesn’t know how to protect herself from his psychological games."

"What about Grandma?" Vincenzo asked with genuine concern threading through his voice. He adored my mother with the fierce loyalty that ran through our bloodline.

"She’s already gone. Probably boarding her private jet as we speak," I smiled with genuine pride at her quick tactical retreat.

"Thank God," Vincenzo exhaled in relief that seemed to come from his soul. "Uncle, can I crash at your safe house until he leaves territory? I swear I won’t interfere with you and Aunt Gemma."

I could tell he’d been building up courage for this request since he walked through my door.

"If your mother clears it through family channels, absolutely. I’ll make the call."

"My bag’s already with Mia," he grinned sheepishly, revealing he’d already planned his escape route.

"Well then, since you’re here seeking sanctuary, you’re working," Zoe declared with the authority of someone who commanded respect throughout the organization. My nephew jumped to follow her orders without complaint. The woman had natural leadership that would terrify most capos.

The afternoon flew by in a blur of family business and damage control. When closing time arrived, I left with Vincenzo to collect Gemma from Caleb’s legitimate front office. We had dinner plans, and she’d agreed to join our impromptu family gathering.

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