Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask (by Silver Spoon) novel Chapter 295

Chapter 295: Chapter 79 Urgent Call Home

Dominic’s POV

I was finishing a late dinner with potential allies from the Chicago outfit when my phone buzzed with Vincenzo’s message. My nephew rarely contacted me during business trips - Nadia had made it clear he shouldn’t interfere - so this had to be serious. When I read his text, ice flooded my veins:

"If you don’t want to lose Gemma to some stranger, get back from Chicago now."

My hand trembled as I immediately dialed Vincenzo’s number.

"Vincenzo, explain that message. Right now," I demanded, abandoning any pretense of civility.

"Well hello to you too, uncle. I’m doing wonderful, thanks for your concern," Vincenzo replied with his usual smart mouth.

"I’m not playing games. Tell me what happened."

"I saw Aunt Gemma at the shopping district earlier. She was heading to some movie with a guy named Zander," Vincenzo explained, his tone maddeningly casual. "Never seen him before, but he’s decent looking and seemed to have his charm working. Oh, and Gemma? She looked absolutely breathtaking tonight."

My grip on the phone tightened until my knuckles went white. "Who the hell is Zander?"

"Your guess is as good as mine. That’s all she mentioned before they left together."

"I’m flying back immediately."

"About time!" Vincenzo sounded satisfied with himself.

"Thanks, kid," I managed before cutting the call.

I immediately contacted my pilot, ordering him to prep the private jet for emergency departure. The flight back to Port Serenity felt endless. Sleep was impossible with thoughts of Gemma with this Zander consuming my mind. Some unknown man had appeared in her life while I was away handling family business.

After landing, I stopped at my penthouse only long enough to drop my bags and shower, but the empty silence without Gemma made my skin crawl. Every room reminded me of what I’d lost. I couldn’t return to our shared apartment either - not yet, not when seeing our abandoned life together might push me over the edge.

"Hotel it is," I muttered, grabbing fresh clothes and heading back out.

I checked into the city’s most exclusive hotel, showered quickly, and drove straight to Zenith Systems. When the elevator doors opened to our floor, Mia immediately jumped up from her desk with obvious relief.

"Boss! You’re finally back! I’ve been worried sick," she exclaimed, embracing me warmly.

"Come on, I wasn’t gone that long," I chuckled, returning her hug before handing her a designer shopping bag. "Brought you something from Chicago."

"This is exactly why I love when you return from these trips," Mia laughed, eagerly accepting the gift.

I walked into Zoe’s office next, where she sat buried in surveillance reports, completely focused on her work. I dropped her present on the desk with deliberate noise.

"You probably don’t deserve this after the grief you’ve given me, but I’m feeling generous," I said with forced lightness.

She looked up, and I was struck by how somber her expression was. "You’re back."

"Yes, I’m back. Did you miss me?" I smiled, but her serious demeanor didn’t shift. "I know Finn’s thriving with his new security detail, Zoe, so what’s eating at you?"