Second Marriage, The Billionaire's Planned Love novel Chapter 173

173 Chapter 173 Stairwell Seduction

Dominic’s POV 1

I had been trying for days to get Gemma to hear me out, but learning that I was at the compound with Beatrix last week only deepened her fury. Sure, I planned to come clean, but her discovering it because she overheard me discussing it just made my impossible situation even more complicated. My day was already heading straight to hell.

Sitting in the Thorne Syndicate reception area, I racked my brain for ways to corner Gemma for a conversation without giving her an escape route and without Zoe threatening to castrate me with her favorite switchblade again.

What the hell was I thinking when I walked straight into Beatrix’s trap? Complete moron move. Beatrix showed up at my door claiming she needed protection from some rival family thugs, and like some white knight wannabe, I let her stay at my safehouse. Several bottles of whiskey later, with her pushing all my buttons and my brain switching off in favor of other body parts, I ended up in bed with a woman I cannot stand. As my mother always says, old habits die hard, and I have always been a player in this famiglia. But Gemma is different. I want her, need her more than I care to admit.

“Darling, I caught the earliest flight from Miami! How is Caleb holding up after that warehouse incident?” That familiar voice cut through my thoughts like nails on a chalkboard. Perfect, my day just reached rock bottom.

“Mom! What brings you here? Weren’t you supposed to be at that spa retreat in the Bahamas with the other famiglia wives?” I stood and approached my mother, allowing her to plant a kiss on my cheek.

“Sweetheart, don’t be ridiculous. Family comes first, and Caleb is family! I came to offer my support during this difficult time,” she declared as if stating the obvious.

Glancing over my shoulder, I spotted a lineup of women watching me with

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barely concealed amusement: Zoe, Nora, Ruby, Lila, and Gemma. Their mocking smiles made my stomach clench. Zoe, being the worst of the bunch and knowing my mother well from years of famiglia gatherings, stepped forward first.

“Bee! How wonderful that you are here!” Zoe approached and exchanged air kisses with my mother. “Perhaps with you around, your son might actually behave like a civilized member of this organization.”

“Oh, Zoe, I swear I tried my best raising this boy, but somewhere along the way things went sideways,” my mother shot me a look of pure

disappointment while I just exhaled heavily.

“Bee, that is not your fault,” Nora chimed in, also familiar with my mother from the wives‘ auxiliary meetings, stepping forward with the same greeting ritual.

“Now tell me, ladies. Which one of you is Gemma?” my mother asked without missing a beat.

“Mom, aren’t you here for Caleb?” I interjected, desperate to redirect her attention away from my personal disasters.

“But I have plenty of time to apologize to this young woman on your behalf!” My mother fixed me with that stern look I remembered from childhood, the same one she used when I brought home stray bullets in my backpack.

“I am Gemma, Mrs. Robinson.” Gemma stepped forward and introduced herself politely, her voice carefully neutral.

“Oh my goodness, you are absolutely stunning, dear!” My mother beamed at Gemma. “Sweetheart, you better win her forgiveness quickly, because a beautiful young woman like this must have made men lining up around the block, even in our dangerous world.” My mother’s observation hit like a punch to the gut, reminding me of exactly what I stood to lose.

“I would love to know how you found out about this situation,” I commented, though I already suspected the answer.

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“Oh, darling, your mother and I have lengthy phone conversations about all the famiglia gossip!” Zoe smiled at me with pure malice, clearly enjoying my discomfort.

“Naturally!” I snorted and turned away, walking off. “So, my dear colleagues, you can handle my sweet mama and her interrogation techniques.”

I retreated to the emergency stairwell, leaning against the cool wall while contemplating the disaster of my mother arriving while Gemma wanted to put a bullet between my eyes. That is when I heard Gemma’s voice through the heavy steel door.

“Lila, I am just going to get some coffee from the break room. I will be right

back.”

I yanked open the door and in one swift motion grabbed Gemma’s arm, pulling her into the stairwell. I pressed her against the concrete wall, molding my body against hers. She was so shocked by being grabbed that she froze, staring at me like I had lost my mind.

“Gemma, we need to talk,” I said, looking directly into her dark eyes.

“About what, Dominic? About how I found you half–naked at your safehouse with that backstabbing witch? Or about whatever you were doing at the compound with that same witch? Either way, I refuse to discuss that woman! And I refuse to talk to you!” Gemma’s eyes blazed with pure hatred.

“Gemma, please,” I pleaded. “Let me explain what happened.”

“You honestly believe what you did has some reasonable explanation?” She looked at me with complete disbelief.

“Yes. It might not be excusable, but it can be explained. And you need to give me the chance to apologize properly.” I was practically begging, something I never did in this business.

“I do not need to give you anything!” she shot back. “And please, let me go!”

“Are you absolutely certain you want me to let you go?” I asked, pressing her

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more firmly against the wall. “Are you sure you do not miss me? Miss my

kisses?”

I leaned down and captured her mouth before she could respond. I kissed her aggressively, my tongue claiming her mouth completely. She struggled against my hold initially, but eventually she returned the kiss with matching intensity. When we broke apart, both gasping for air, I spoke directly into her

ear.

“Are you positive, Gemma, that you can resist my touch?” I sucked on her earlobe the same way I used to tease her most sensitive spots, drawing a moan from her lips. “Are you certain it is not worth listening to me, forgiving me, and giving me another chance?”

While speaking, I unbuttoned her black silk blouse and pushed down her bra cup, cupping her breast in my palm, massaging and teasing her nipple between my fingers.

“Are you sure you will find someone else in this famiglia who can make you feel the way I do?”

I continued my teasing, knowing she was close to the edge. Gemma was incredibly responsive, which drove me wild. I tangled my fingers in her dark hair at the base of her neck and lowered my mouth to her breasts, beginning my assault. I kissed and sucked her swollen nipples, giving gentle bites and long licks. Gemma began releasing those soft, low, intoxicating moans I

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