Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask (by Silver Spoon) novel Chapter 290

Chapter 290: Chapter 74 Tender Care

Gemma’s POV

"Miss Gemma." As I exited the Thorne family’s legitimate front office building, I spotted Brandon, the family’s most trusted driver, waiting by his black sedan. His weathered face carried the kind of quiet authority that only came from decades of service to the organization.

"Hello, Brandon. How are you holding up today?" I greeted him with genuine warmth. The elderly gentleman had always treated me with respect, even before Dominic and I became official. His distinguished gray hair and permanent smile masked the steel beneath - I’d seen him handle threats to the family with lethal efficiency.

"Very well, thank you, Miss. And yourself?" His eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled, though I caught the subtle way he scanned the street for potential dangers.

"I’m good. But what brings you here? Dominic didn’t mention sending anyone."

"Capo Frost requested I escort you home today." Brandon’s expression shifted slightly, the way it did when family business turned serious. "It appears he’s taken ill."

"Dominic’s sick? What happened?" My stomach knotted with concern. He’d seemed fine this morning when he left for his meeting with the money laundering network supervisors, though he had mentioned a headache brewing. It was unusual for him not to text throughout the day - even during the most dangerous family operations, he always found ways to check on me.

"I’m afraid I don’t have details, Miss. The Capo just said you’d need safe transport home." He held the car door open with practiced elegance, his hand positioned where I knew he kept his concealed weapon.

"Of course."

The ride through our territory was pleasant enough, with Brandon chatting about his grandchildren while his eyes never stopped monitoring the rearview mirror and side streets. When we arrived at Dominic’s heavily fortified compound, he handed me the house keys along with a small device I recognized as the security override.

"Capo’s orders, Miss Gemma. He wanted to ensure you could access everything you might need."

I thanked him and made my way past the armed security checkpoint, where the guards nodded respectfully. Inside the fortress-like mansion, I found Dominic sprawled across the living room sofa, looking absolutely miserable beneath a cashmere throw blanket. The sight of such a powerful man - someone who commanded fear throughout the underworld - reduced to this vulnerable state sent me rushing to his side.

"Dominic? My God, what happened to you?" I knelt beside him, immediately noting his flushed cheeks and glassy eyes.

"Just a stupid cold, Princess." His voice sounded raspy before a sneeze erupted from him, so different from his usual commanding tone that struck terror into rival families.

Concern washed over me as I took in his condition - watery, bloodshot eyes, dark circles beneath them, red nose, and a half-empty tissue box at his side. The strong smell of menthol hung in the air, and I spotted a jar of vapor rub nearby. When my hand touched his forehead, the heat radiating from his skin alarmed me. This was the same man who’d taken multiple bullets recently and barely flinched.

"You’re burning up," I said, trying to keep panic from my voice.

"I’ve taken what the family doctor prescribed." He gestured weakly toward the coffee table, which resembled a small pharmacy - fever reducers, antihistamines, throat lozenges, nasal spray, anti-inflammatories, and painkillers were scattered across its surface. "Doc made a house call this morning."

"But you seemed perfectly fine when you left for the waterfront meeting," I noted, perplexed by the rapid onset.

"Had a headache brewing during negotiations. Got worse as the day went on." His words were punctuated by another explosive sneeze. "Probably all those late nights coordinating with our contacts in Chicago."

"Why didn’t you call me?"

"It’s nothing serious, Gemma." He sniffled. "Doc says I’ll be fine soon, as long as it doesn’t develop into pneumonia. Can’t afford to be down longer with the territory expansion plans."

"Pneumonia?" I raised my eyebrows. "Come on, you’re built like a tank, Dominic. You’ve survived assassination attempts and gang wars."

"Professor’s warning. Said even soldiers need to be careful." He sounded so unlike his usual commanding self - the man who could silence a room full of hardened criminals with a single look.

"I bet it was those cold midnight patrol runs through the docks catching up with you." I shook my head. "Have you eaten anything today?"

"Can’t stomach food," he groaned.

"Well, that won’t do. You need nutrition to maintain your strength. I’m making you soup, and you’re going to eat it."

"Gemma, don’t worry about me. You’ve had a long day dealing with the front operations. The kitchen staff left dinner prepared."

"I don’t care. I’m taking care of you," I insisted. "And if this fever doesn’t break soon, we’re getting Doc back here, or I’m having the boys drive us to our private medical facility."

He nodded weakly, making my heart ache. Seeing such a feared Capo - a man whose reputation alone could end territorial disputes - reduced to this vulnerable state was disconcerting.

"Let’s get you upstairs to our room. You can’t recover sleeping on the sofa where anyone could see you like this."

"No, I don’t want you catching this," he protested, his concern for me evident even through his misery. "The family needs you healthy too."

"My handsome worrier," I smiled tenderly. "I want to take care of you."

He looked up at me with those fever-bright eyes. "I don’t deserve you, Princess."

My heart melted at his words. "Either you come sleep with me in our bed, or I’m camping out here on the floor with you. Your choice, Capo."

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