Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask (by Silver Spoon) novel Chapter 377

Chapter 377: Chapter 161 Snake in the Circle

Dominic’s POV

I arrived at the Social Union with Gerard and my nephew Vincenzo, members of the Thorne family organization. The guys had outdone themselves for my bachelor party, securing our private back room that doubled as a strategy meeting place when needed. Pool table for casual talks, poker setup for serious negotiations, vintage bar stocked with the finest Italian spirits, and leather sofas where we’d planned countless operations. Tonight, it was all about celebrating my last night before claiming Gemma as my mafia queen.

"Ready for your final night as a free man?" Xavier greeted me with his trademark grin, pressing a glass of our family’s imported whiskey into my hand.

Caleb approached, shaking his head with amusement. "Honestly thought you’d never settle down, Dominic. Especially after all the chaos with your old man."

That’s when I noticed their matching black t-shirts featuring a cartoon version of me in chains, with Gemma holding the key. "GAME OVER" blazed across the bottom in blood-red letters.

"Real mature for a bunch of made men," I muttered, though their loyalty warmed something in my chest that had been cold for too long.

The evening progressed with drinking games that would make civilian bartenders weep. Based on the amount of premium liquor we were downing, I’d be lucky to remember the combination to our family safe tomorrow morning.

Several drinks later, I noticed Daniel slip out to take a call from one of his police contacts. When he returned, his expression had shifted to the stone-cold mask he wore during family business. He immediately pulled Xavier aside for a hushed conversation. Something was wrong. Daniel never stepped out during celebrations unless someone was bleeding or dead.

It reminded me that Gemma had asked me to mention something to Daniel about increased security around her shop, but I’d completely forgotten in the wedding preparations. I made a mental note to discuss it before we left tonight.

Before I could act on that thought, both Daniel and Xavier approached with the kind of serious expressions that usually preceded someone getting their legs broken.

"Dominic, I need to tell you something," Daniel began carefully. "But don’t panic. Everything’s been handled by my crew."

My entire body went rigid. In our world, ’handled’ could mean anything from a warning to a shallow grave. "Are the girls safe?"

"They are. But Gemma received an unwelcome gift at her bachelorette party. My security team neutralized the threat immediately. The ladies don’t want their celebration interrupted because of this incident."

His careful phrasing was making my blood pressure spike. In the mafia, we didn’t speak in riddles unless the news was catastrophic. "Cut the diplomatic bullshit, Daniel. What happened?"

"Someone sent Gemma a gift box containing a venomous snake. Nobody was injured, no bites, no casualties. The women were shaken, naturally, but it’s been resolved."

I shot to my feet, the whiskey glass hitting the floor and shattering. "I’m going to her. I need to see Gemma with my own eyes."

"No, you’re not." Xavier stepped directly into my path, and I could see his hand resting casually near his concealed weapon. "Daniel’s soldiers have secured the perimeter. The women specifically requested to continue their night, and you’re not going to be the one who ruins that by charging in like some amateur street thug."

"But Xavier, someone tried to—"

"No arguments. She’s at your sister’s compound, surrounded by enough firepower to stop a small army. It was an assassination attempt that failed spectacularly."

I knew he was right. Barging into their celebration would only confirm that our enemies had successfully disrupted our lives. "Fine. You’re right."

I waited for them to become distracted by a heated poker game before slipping toward the bathroom to call Gemma privately. I needed to hear her voice, needed the confirmation that she was truly unharmed.

As I headed down the hallway, Beatrix intercepted me like a spider waiting in her web. This woman simply refused to accept that her place in my life had been permanently terminated. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"Hello, darling," she purred, her voice carrying the fake sweetness she used when plotting someone’s downfall.

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