Free Web NovelChapter 361: Chapter 145 Blood on Wedding Plans
Gemma’s POV
With Nora unable to attend our wedding as one of my bridesmaids, I asked Dominic’s sisters, Erica and Audrey, if either of them would step in as Jude’s partner. Those two immediately turned it into a competition, arguing playfully before settling on a game of odds or evens. Audrey won, prompting Erica to issue a warning that she wouldn’t let her sister monopolize "the hottie" at the reception. Poor Jude was in for quite an experience with those two Frost sisters, but I figured some distraction would do him good after all the family warfare we’d been through.
The dress fitting at the exclusive boutique included both sisters, who kept everyone in stitches with their antics despite the armed security detail stationed outside.
"Girl, this boutique is fabulous!" Audrey announced dramatically as they arrived, flanked by their usual bodyguards. "Since I’m officially one of your bridesmaids now, we’re planning the most epic bachelorette party you’ve ever imagined."
A shiver ran down my spine thinking about what this wild daughter of a mafia elder might have in store, though I knew whatever it was would be both entertaining and heavily guarded.
Zoe groaned from her position by the window, scanning the street. "Seriously, Audrey’s handling the bachelorette party? God help us all."
"Honey, you and Nadia have the ceremony and reception security covered," Audrey replied with a mischievous wink. "I’ll take care of the fun stuff."
"Hold up," Erica interjected. "We’re handling it together. I’m definitely involved in this."
Nadia laughed, checking her encrypted phone. "Don’t worry, Gemma. If there’s anything these two excel at, it’s throwing unforgettable parties that won’t end up on the FBI’s radar."
"I hadn’t even considered a bachelorette party," I admitted. "But I’m game. Just remember, my grandmother will be in town, so nothing too outrageous, okay?"
"Relax," Erica winked. "Grandma’s going to adore us."
The boutique designer had already sketched my dress based on Zoe’s specifications and the family’s requirements for concealed weapon access, and I fell instantly in love. No question – this was the one. Then came the fun part – selecting the bridesmaids’ dresses.
"What are you looking for, Gemma?" Ivy asked while casually monitoring the street through the boutique’s reinforced windows.
"Light fabrics in pale colors to match our beachfront estate wedding," I explained. With that, they scattered throughout the store, eagerly searching through racks of dresses while their security detail maintained watchful positions.
A while later, chaos reigned as everyone modeled different dresses – colors clashing, some too light, others too dark, fits ranging from too tight to shapeless. They were all giggling at each other’s choices, temporarily forgetting the dangerous world we inhabited.
"This is a disaster," Erica declared, taking charge with the authority that came naturally to Thorne family women. "Audrey, I’ve told you countless times to avoid pleats – they make your butt look enormous!" Everyone erupted in laughter, including Audrey. "Let’s go with candy colors, ladies. It’s totally on-trend for bridesmaids. Step aside, I’ll handle this."
I watched in amazement as Erica confidently selected dresses for everyone with the precision of someone used to making life-or-death decisions. When they lined up in front of me, the visual was stunning. She truly knew her fashion, a skill honed by years of attending high-stakes mafia social events.
"Erica, you nailed it!" I praised. "Are you all happy with these?" They all nodded enthusiastically, clearly impressed by how cohesive they looked together.
"High five, sis!" Erica held up her hand for me to slap. These two were not only fun but seriously talented with fashion and firearms.
Erica went the extra mile, selecting perfect dresses for my mom, Bee, and my grandmother – who would look magnificent in a lovely light green shade that wouldn’t show bloodstains. By the time we left the boutique, everything was settled except for my final dress fitting. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com
Outside on the sidewalk, we continued chatting excitedly about wedding plans and the mysterious bachelorette party Dominic’s sisters were concocting. I noticed Lila step away to answer her phone while our security team maintained their protective formation around our group.
Suddenly, a scream pierced the air. I whipped around to see one of Caleb’s security guards holding Lila protectively while Hunter sprinted down the street in pursuit of someone, his hand reaching for his concealed weapon.
The guard brought Lila back to our group, his face grim. freewebnøvel.com
"What happened?" I asked, frantically checking Lila for injuries while Zoe immediately got on her radio to coordinate with additional security.
"A street thief tried to snatch the young lady’s phone and slashed her arm with a knife," the security guard explained, his trained eyes scanning for additional threats. "Could be a random robbery or reconnaissance. It’s not serious, but I couldn’t pull her away fast enough to prevent the cut."
"This territory gets more dangerous every day," Erica commented, her hand instinctively moving to her designer purse where I knew she kept a small pistol.
Hunter returned, breathing heavily and clearly frustrated. "Miss Gemma, I couldn’t catch him. He escaped on a motorcycle through the back alleys."
"Thank you for trying," I said, pulling Lila into a hug. "We need to get you to the family’s private medical facility. We’ll call Daniel on the way."
The girls all volunteered to accompany us, but I knew the waiting area would soon be overrun with their husbands, boyfriends, and armed escorts. I convinced them to return to their secured locations, promising updates. In the armored car, Lila continued crying, clearly shaken by the experience.
"Thank goodness it wasn’t worse," I said, examining her wound, which appeared superficial. "Could have been a setup for something bigger."
"Those security guards saved me," she said, calming slightly. "I was talking to Daniel when it happened."
"Oh lord, he must be mobilizing half the police force right now. I’d better call him." Daniel needed reassurance before he did something that would draw federal attention.
"Miss Gemma," Hunter called from the front seat, "I’ve informed Mr. Dominic, and he’s contacted Inspector Martinez. They’ll meet us at the medical facility."
"Thank you, Hunter," I replied gratefully before turning back to comfort Lila.
At the private clinic, Daniel was already waiting, pacing anxiously like a caged predator. When he saw us, he rushed forward and enveloped Lila in his arms.
"Little one! I nearly lost my mind when I heard you scream through the phone," he said, holding her tightly with hands that had seen too much violence.
"Songbird, are you both alright?" Dominic asked as he entered with his usual commanding presence, coming straight to me. I nodded in confirmation. "Good. Andrew is waiting for us in his office."
After checking in with the clinic’s security protocols, we headed for the elevator. Daniel held Lila close the entire time. His phone rang persistently, and after ignoring it several times, he finally answered after multiple calls just as the elevator doors opened to Dr. Taylor’s floor.
"FUCK IT! FIGURE IT OUT, I’M NOT COMING!" he shouted into the phone before hanging up and immediately dialing Inspector Adler. "Inspector, I’m at the clinic with Lila and need to turn off my phone." He paused to listen. "She’s fine, just a street robbery and a cut on her arm. After she’s treated, we’re heading to the safe house, but I need to turn off my phone, so if you need me, send someone to my location." Another pause. "Yes, exactly because of that situation." He listened again. "I understand. See you." Daniel powered off his phone while we all exchanged knowing glances, understanding that some police business was too dangerous to discuss.
After Lila received several stitches in her forearm and was cleared by the family doctor, we all returned to our respective safe houses. Exhausted and hungry, I took a long shower, ate something light, and fell into bed in Dominic’s fortified penthouse, immediately drifting into deep sleep.
I jolted awake from a terrifying nightmare in which Lila had been killed during the robbery, part of a larger attack on our family. In my dream, a phone kept ringing incessantly, and as I regained consciousness, I realized a phone actually was ringing.
"Gemma," Dominic mumbled sleepily beside me, his hand instinctively moving toward the nightstand where his weapon lay. "Your phone’s ringing."
I grabbed my encrypted phone from the nightstand and checked the screen – an unknown number. My hands started trembling, and my breathing became rapid and shallow. In our world, unknown calls at this hour usually meant death was calling.
