Second Marriage, The Billionaire's Planned Love novel Chapter 222

222 Chapter 6 Package Mix Up

Dominic’s POV 1

I walked into the Thorne family’s underground headquarters that morning expecting the best day in weeks. My new intelligence coordinator would finally start, which meant I could delegate some of the crushing surveillance and territory management that had been suffocating me. Plus, I was looking forward to hearing about Caleb’s latest enforcement issues, and I had dinner plans with Kira tonight. Everything felt like it was falling into place perfectly.

The reinforced elevator chimed as it reached the secured floor of our

operations center, and I stepped out expecting a normal morning. Instead, I found Zoe positioned near my office door like an armed sentinel, leather jacket crossed over her chest, one steel–toed boot tapping an impatient rhythm against the concrete floor. Her expression could have frozen hell

over.

Before I could even process what was happening, she launched herself at me

like a guided missile.

“So this is what you call leadership, Dominic? Your territory reports look like a war zone hit them, and you have enough backlogged intelligence to bury a small army. This entire operation is one step away from complete chaos! If a federal raid is your endgame, just tell me now so I can save myself the headache of working here.” The words tumbled out of her mouth in one continuous stream, and all I wanted to do was turn around and sprint back to the elevator.

“I absolutely adore her already!” Mia shouted from across the surveillance room, her grin so wide it practically split her face in half. She was clearly relishing every second of my torment.

Zoe had already established her dominance, treating me like a wild stallion that needed breaking. The metaphorical chains were already around my ankles.

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“Exactly how late am I?” I asked, glancing at my watch and wondering if I had somehow lost half the day.

“The issue, Dominic, is that you are supposed to be the Capo of this

operation. The captain stays with the ship. You should arrive first and leave last.” She snapped her fingers directly in front of my nose. “Major changes are coming to this organization, Dominic, and you can count on that. Starting immediately, I am taking charge of your intelligence network, and you will follow my protocols while we rebuild this disaster. Accept it or I walk. Are we clear?”

“Absolutely, ma’am!” I could not suppress a laugh, but I immediately knew I had made a terrible mistake. Her stare could have melted steel.

“You find this amusing, Dominic? Will you still be laughing when the feds shut down this operation? Move. We have serious work to do. Your vacation from responsibility ends now.”

“You do realize I control your territory assignments, correct?” Just like during her interview, I found myself questioning who actually ran this operation.

“Naturally! And I also understand that you are completely dependent on me, while I have countless other families who would kill for my services. So drop the attitude and let us begin.” She stood with her hands on her hips like a general addressing troops. “Just so we are perfectly clear moving forward, I am now the voice inside your head that keeps you from making stupid decisions. That means I establish the protocols. I already told you, you are now under my coordination. Understood?” I found myself nodding like an obedient soldier.

Zoe strode toward my office and I trailed behind her like a loyal enforcer. We buried ourselves in territory reports for the entire morning. Her competence was undeniable, her tactical decisions swift and decisive. She handled every situation with the same ruthless instincts her father was famous for. At mid–morning, my secure phone rang and Zoe answered it on speaker.

“What do you need, Mia?” They had bonded instantly. These two would

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transform me into Caleb’s twin, permanently grumpy and sworn off women.

“Zo, Dominic has two visitors waiting at the security checkpoint. One happens to be his mother,” Mia responded, barely containing her amusement. “I have a feeling you will find this meeting particularly entertaining.”

“Send them up immediately, Mia. Let us see what kind of trouble this fool has created now.” Zoe looked at me with the expression of a predator spotting wounded prey.

Moments later, my mother and Kira burst through the reinforced office doors, Kira looking like she wanted to commit murder. Each woman carried an identical black gift bag, and my stomach dropped as I recognized the packages I had sent them.

“Good morning, sweetheart! You certainly gave mommy quite a surprise today.” My mother beamed with joy, obviously thrilled with whatever she had received.

“Dominic darling, we need to have a private conversation immediately.” Kira spoke without preamble, shooting daggers at Zoe with her eyes.

“Not happening, princess!” Zoe responded before I could open my mouth, and I stared at her in complete shock. “Dominic darling is swamped with family business. State your purpose quickly and then hit the road, sweetheart.”

Zoe rose from her chair and approached my mother with surprising grace, introducing herself politely and guiding her to the chair across from my desk. Kira stood frozen, clearly expecting me to intervene.

“Who exactly is this lunatic, Dominic dear?” Kira pronounced my name with her distinctive accent, which normally charmed me but now sounded accusatory.

“Lunatic? That is rich coming from you.” Zoe laughed coldly. “I might be particular about security protocols, but I am certainly not insane. However, I do have manners, so allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Zoe Miller, and Dominic now answers to me. I control his operations, manage his

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priorities, and decide who deserves his attention.”

“So that explains this pathetic little gift, Dominic? This is how you choose to end things between us?” Kira’s voice shook with rage.

“I have no idea what you mean, Kira.” I managed to speak for the first time since they had invaded my office.

My intelligence coordinator had left me speechless. Perhaps she was more than just particular about details, but I decided to keep that observation to myself. Her father had warned me she would keep me disciplined, but she was essentially taking over my entire existence. The strangest part was that I was allowing it and actually enjoying the experience.

“Really?” Kira’s tone dripped with sarcasm. “Then please explain this to me.” She thrust the black bag toward me.

The card was attached to the outside of the bag. I was completely confused. Had Kira become upset because I purchased intimate items for her? We had experimented with similar things before, and she had enjoyed them. Zoe snatched the bag from Kira and read the card aloud, “I cannot wait to use this together.”

Zoe reached into the bag and withdrew a black box, opening it with theatrical flair. Inside sat a rosary and a leather–bound Bible. She was thoroughly enjoying the chaos and asked in a mocking tone,

“Well, Dominic, attempting to save her soul? I had no idea you were so committed to missionary work.”

Kira looked bewildered and turned to me for answers. Finally, the pieces clicked into place. At the flower shop, when I was preparing to attach the cards to the bags, Xavier had called about a territory dispute and completely flustered me.

“I mixed up the bags at the flower shop,” I admitted, pointing to my mother’s bag.

“May I examine your gift, Bee?” Zoe asked my mother sweetly, who handed

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over her bag without hesitation. She read the card first, “Stay happy, Mom!”

Zoe extracted a black box identical to the first and opened it slowly. Inside was an impressive collection: vibrating devices, enhancement equipment, a rose–shaped item with suction capabilities, a medium–sized accessory with decorative features, and an assortment of pleasure gels.

“Dominic! What is all of this?! You really want your mother to experience pure bliss!” Zoe erupted in laughter while I contemplated strangling her. “Bee, you are going to have the time of your life with these toys.”

“Oh sweetheart, could you help me understand how these work? I researched them online, but I still have questions. I want to try them tonight,” my mother said to Zoe while I stood there in complete horror.

My mother was a dignified woman. Since my father abandoned the family and was banished from our organization, she had never shown interest in another man, and that was many years ago. She was mature but still stunning with her blonde hair and green eyes, maintaining her slim figure and active lifestyle, but surely she was beyond thinking about such things. She was my mother! She was practically a saint! Or so I thought.

“It would be my absolute pleasure, Bee!” Zoe declared, flashing me a wicked smile. “Pleasure being the operative word!”

“Mom, Kira, I apologize, I switched the packages,” I said to both women, attempting damage control. “I was at the flower shop when I received a call about territory issues and accidentally mixed up the bags. They look exactly

the same.”

“Oh Dominic, I must disagree! They are both black and similar in size, but look closely. One has a golden cross printed on it, and the other features a rose. The difference is quite obvious once you pay attention.” Zoe was reveling in my misery.

I looked at Kira, who appeared ready to explode with fury. Then I glanced at my mother, who was examining the adult items with genuine fascination. What had I done?

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+63

“Ladies, let me fix this situation.” I stood and grabbed the box containing the Bible and rosary, walking toward my mother. “We simply need to exchange them.”

When I reached for the other box, my mother slapped my hand away sharply.

“Keep your hands to yourself. This gift belongs to me now, and I am not returning it,” my mother snapped. “Give that religious stuff to your girlfriend because she obviously needs spiritual guidance. I already own a Bible, but these items are completely new to me. I am keeping the toys.” My mother’s eyes sparkled as she clutched the box protectively.

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