Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask (by Silver Spoon) novel Chapter 278

Chapter 278: Chapter 62 Make Me Believe

Dominic’s POV

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read those three simple words on Gemma’s card: "Make me believe." Standing in that elevator as the doors closed, I felt a surge of hope flood through me like adrenaline before a family hit. After days of coldness and rejection from the one woman who mattered more than any territory or business deal, this small gesture was everything. Those three words held more meaning than a thousand-page contract could have conveyed. They were my lifeline, my chance to reclaim what I’d lost through my own stupidity.

As soon as my unavoidable meeting with the family accountants concluded, I raced to the upscale shopping district under Thorne protection. I needed something special, something that would speak volumes about my intentions to win back the woman I’d die for. At the luxury boutique where we sourced gifts for important allies, the manager personally helped me arrange a perfect offering. Twelve delicate red rose buds were carefully positioned around a bottle of Amarula liqueur—Gemma’s favorite, which I’d memorized like intel on a rival family—with imported Belgian chocolates nestled between them. The manager secured the elegant arrangement with a silk ribbon, and I attached a card reading, "I’ll do whatever it takes to prove I can be the man worthy of your trust."

When I returned to Caleb’s legitimate front office, I placed the gift on Gemma’s desk like laying down weapons in surrender. The small smile that curved her lips and the sparkle in those dark eyes told me she remembered our night together in my safe house. I felt hope warming my chest like the satisfaction after successfully eliminating a threat.

But my fleeting moment of triumph quickly spiraled into disaster worse than a botched operation. After Ivy and Max were found safe from the kidnapping attempt, the discussion with our security team turned to Roman’s recent acquisition of a remote ranch property—land that could serve as either a safe house or a burial ground, depending on circumstances. Without thinking, I mentioned I’d been there recently with Beatrix, conducting what I’d told myself was just business. I looked up to find Gemma standing in the doorway, her eyes filled with fresh disappointment that cut deeper than any blade.

I wanted to explain that Beatrix had called me in hysteria after Gemma caught us together, begging me to escort her to the ranch where she claimed to have hidden assets from her deceased father’s estate. I wanted to tell Gemma that nothing happened between us beyond the business of recovering those items, but I had to finish briefing our security detail first about potential threats to the family. By the time I was free, I rushed to find her like a man chasing his own execution.

"Gemma, can we talk?" I pleaded, my voice carrying the desperation of a man whose empire meant nothing without her.

"No, Dominic, we can’t. I’m done!" Her voice was flat, final, like a judge pronouncing a death sentence.

"Gemma, I can explain what happened at the ranch..." I tried desperately.

"Don’t you think it would be better if you didn’t constantly need to explain yourself?" The coldness in her eyes pierced me worse than any rival’s bullet.

"Gemma, please!" I begged, my pride as a Capo crumbling like dust.

"Dominic, I’m working. Now is not the time."

"I’m going to sit in that chair, Gemma, and wait until you finish your work, but I will explain myself." I settled into the reception area like a soldier maintaining position under fire, determined not to retreat without clearing the air.

Just when I thought things couldn’t get worse than a federal investigation, my mother appeared. She’d come to support Caleb during the crisis, but couldn’t resist taking calculated shots at me about my "complicated romantic situation" like she was discussing a failed business venture. I watched Gemma grow increasingly furious with each passing moment, her anger building like pressure before an explosion.

When I finally caught her alone on the fire escape—a location we used for sensitive conversations that couldn’t risk surveillance—I couldn’t help grabbing her arm. Touching her felt like returning to sacred ground, but the disappointment in her eyes was unbearable. For the remainder of our time at Caleb’s company, Gemma didn’t miss a single opportunity to call me a worthless piece of trash and display her anger with the precision of a skilled interrogator.

Exhausted but determined like a soldier planning his next campaign, I left with a strategy forming in my mind. Thanks to Zoe clearing my schedule for the rest of the week—rescheduling meetings with money launderers and arms dealers alike—I had time to execute the most important operation of my life: winning back Gemma. I would start at Caleb’s engagement dinner the next day and wouldn’t leave her side until she forgave me or put a bullet in my head.

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