Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask (by Silver Spoon) novel Chapter 344

Chapter 344: Chapter 128 Dangerous Family Encounter

Vincenzo’s POV 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

"Sweetie, are you really planning to be away from me all weekend?" Brenda pouted, her arms wrapped tightly around my waist as she gazed up at me with those puppy dog eyes I could never resist.

"It’s just a couple of days, baby doll," I reassured her, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Your parents already arranged that countryside retreat for you. I’m only accompanying Uncle Dominic to meet Aunt Gemma’s grandmother for a family introduction, then I’ll be back before you even have time to miss me."

"Oh please, you two are absolutely nauseating!" Phoebe rolled her eyes dramatically at our display of affection.

Brenda shot her sister a playful glare. "That’s what happens when people are actually in love, sis."

"Right, of course!" Phoebe’s lips curled into a knowing smile.

We were killing time at the upscale shopping center’s central court, waiting for Uncle Dominic and Aunt Gemma to arrive. I’d invited Brenda along since we’d be apart for the weekend, and Phoebe had decided to tag along, claiming she needed to speak with my aunt about something important. The Thorne family’s security detail maintained a discreet perimeter around us, their presence barely noticeable to civilians but reassuring to me.

"What’s this mysterious conversation you need to have with Aunt Gemma?" I asked Phoebe, genuinely curious.

She crossed her arms defensively. "Not telling you. I know exactly how loose your lips are, Vincenzo! I haven’t forgotten how you spilled everything about Zander to my mom when she was conducting her usual background checks."

Great, my Carmen was pointing out my flaws too. As if I didn’t have enough people doing that already within our family’s inner circle.

"In my defense," I protested, "I had no idea it was supposed to be a secret. Your mom simply asked if you’d met anyone interesting lately during her routine security briefing. And Zander is, objectively speaking, an interesting guy who passed our preliminary screening."

"Sure, and being the absolute gentleman you are, you provided her with his entire family history and financial background. Now she won’t stop bugging me about arranging a formal meeting with proper supervision." Phoebe had been furious with me after that incident. I’d had to buy her an obscene amount of expensive chocolates imported from Switzerland to earn her forgiveness.

"Well, what a delightful surprise!" A familiar voice that always set my teeth on edge interrupted our conversation. The voice that represented everything toxic about our family’s past.

"Perfect. There goes our peaceful afternoon." I sighed heavily, immediately signaling to my security detail. "Marcus, why don’t you find your own territory and pretend you never saw us?"

"Vincenzo, my dear grandson, is that any way to address your grandfather?" Marcus’s smile never reached his eyes. The man was the definition of a snake – he’d never cared for our family until he needed something, and his exile from the Thorne organization hadn’t humbled him one bit.

"You’re not my grandfather in any way that matters," I said bluntly, my patience already wearing thin. "And you don’t need to pretend you have any familial affection. We both know you despise everything our family stands for now."

"Such inappropriate behavior, grandson, especially in front of these lovely young ladies." Marcus’s gaze lingered uncomfortably on Brenda and Phoebe, triggering every protective instinct bred into me from birth. I immediately positioned Brenda behind me and grabbed Phoebe’s wrist, pulling her away from his reach while subtly alerting my detail.

"Don’t even think about speaking to them," I growled, the family’s dangerous reputation surfacing in my voice.

Phoebe looked confused by my reaction, while Brenda clung to my back, sensing the underlying threat that civilians couldn’t fully comprehend.

"What’s this nonsense, boy? Don’t be ridiculous." Marcus focused on Phoebe with the calculating interest that made my blood run cold. "Allow me to introduce myself, miss. I’m Marcus Frost, Vincenzo’s grandfather and former associate of this family’s operations."

I pulled Phoebe even closer, ensuring he couldn’t make any physical contact while my security team moved into position.

"Security!" I shouted, and thankfully, the armed detail my father had assigned to me immediately responded, approaching with the kind of efficiency that spoke to their military backgrounds. "Please remove this individual from our vicinity. He’s been making inappropriate advances and violating his territorial restrictions."

"Vincenzo, stop being difficult," Marcus hissed, his mask of civility slipping to reveal the manipulative predator underneath. "I need to talk to you about family business. Your mother isn’t answering my communications."

"That’s your problem, not mine. I have no interest in discussing anything with someone who betrayed this family’s trust." I turned my back on him, guiding the girls away while the security team efficiently handled the situation.

"Tell your mother to contact me, Vincenzo, or I’ll make life very complicated for all of you," Marcus shouted as we walked away, his threats carrying the weight of someone who still had dangerous connections despite his exile.

I led the girls to a nearby upscale café where we settled into a private booth. As expected, Phoebe immediately bombarded me with questions, her journalistic instincts kicking in.

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