Dominic's POV

I'd managed to make contact with several Academy contacts in the past few days. My men and I had gathered some rather disturbing information and I needed to make sure Marissa and her men knew about it. When we reached their mansion, I had to admit I was impressed with their security. The gates were all monitored with several visible and probably even more hidden cameras. A guard took my information then buzzed us through to the main house. Parking just in front of the house, I had my men stay outside, then knocked on the door.

Owen Blackbourne opened the door. "Hello Mr. Giovanni, please come in." He moved aside to let me enter.

"Please, call me Dominic. No need for formalities," I said, stepping into the foyer.

He started to say something but a small form ran into the front of him. "Oof," Marissa muttered as she slammed into Owen. My eyes went wide when I looked down to see her without pants. "Sorry, Owee," she grinned.

"Little girl, get back here and put on your fucking pants," we heard Gabe boom from down the hall.

She squealed and giggled, "Uh, gotta go," then started to dart away before pausing and looking back and shouting, "Oh, hi DeDe!" Then she continued her escape down the hallway.

Owen groaned and shook his head, "Sorry, she's been a bit of a brat for three days now."  About that time, Gabe rounded the corner with a pair of pants in his hands. We both laughed and pointed down the hall as he continued his chase.

"Has she been in little space the entire time?" I asked. Owen looked a bit surprised at my question. "I'm well aware of her little personality. You don't have someone living in your family home for a year, and well, um, well, anyway, I've been around a few times when she's slipped. Winston usually took care of her, but there was a time or two I helped when he had court proceedings," I explained.

He ran his hand through his hair and grimaced, "I suppose that would make sense. She's been in little space since the day we met with you. She, um, slipped later that evening." He cleared his throat, not entirely comfortable with the topic. I was guessing it happened during a sub drop, but I wasn't going to vocalize my suspicions.

"She'll come out when she's ready or when she needs to," I said. "Shall we gather your family so I can update all of you?"

"Yes, of course, right this way," he said and led me through their home. It was beautiful and I felt a pang in my chest that I'd never had anything like this for myself. They all gathered around in their front room. I noticed Gabe had apparently caught Marissa since she was now wearing pants - although just barely. The tiny shorts were not the same thing he'd been trying to get her into earlier.

"Pleasure to see you all again," I said to them as I took a seat. Marissa popped up in Raven's lap and grinned at me. I gave her a quick smile. "I hear you've been causing trouble, little flower?"

She gave an innocent look and batted her eyelashes. "I'm not causing trouble, DeDe, I'm playful."

Raven swatted her bottom and pulled her down firmly, "Be good, malen'kaya shalun'ya or LuLu won't make cupcakes for you."

"But Bear," she whined and he swatted her again. She huffed and leaned against his chest, pulling her stuffie against her. "Fine."

I cleared my throat. "The information I learned isn't very nice. Are you okay hearing it, Marissa?" She nodded. I shot a warning glance to Raven and he nodded in understanding as he wrapped his arms around her. "My men and I were able to find out more than we expected, and some of your fears are well founded. It looks as if Jackson reached out to the Academy after you escaped. Once your father was arrested, he feared Dalton would turn on him in some type of plea bargain, and he was right. Your father offered both he and Chloe up quite quickly. The only problem was, the Judge in the case is an Academy man." I paused to check her reactions. So far she seemed okay, so I continued. "Your father thought he could trust the judge since they are old friends. Marissa, it's Harold Roberts." I saw her eyes go wide and she began to shake all over.

Sean was at her side in an instant, checking her pulse, then blood pressure. Raven began to rock her, singing softly. "Who is he?" Kota asked quietly.

"One of Dalton's old swinger buddies," I said in a hushed tone. Kota's fists clenched, instantly letting me know they already knew her past. "The Academy wants her back, that's why they're helping Jackson. They want to keep him as her handler. Roberts has validated the marriage certificate. Even with all of her legal expertise, I don't see a way to undo it." I looked over to see Gabe giving her a drink. She seemed to have calmed down some. "Do you want me to continue, Flower?"

"Yes, DeDe," she said quietly. "Judge did the paperwork?" I nodded and she whimpered, then took a deep breath. "I changed my mind. I sowwy, I can't listen. Tell them pwease," she said. "Seany, I want to lay down." He nodded and scooped her up. They headed up the stairs. I wanted to break something, shoot someone, anything to stop the hurt in my chest. I came here to help her, and so far all I've found is all the ways I can't help.

"Dominic, can you tell them what you explained to me," Kota asked.

Sighing, I started. "As I was explaining to Kota, the Academy wants her back. Roberts was a party buddy of Dalton's. He has certified the marriage license as valid - it can't be undone, same with the transfer of the company. From what I've been able to find, the plan is to get her back into Jackson's custody so they can finish what they started."

"What do you mean, what they started?" Brandon asked.

"Chloe was using some type of conditioning on her - subliminal messages." I saw them stiffen at the mention of the messages.  I cleared my throat and continued, "Between it and the drug regimen, they want to basically program her to be their weapon. Turns out most of Dalton's old swinger cronies are deep in the Academy now - judges, politicians, cops." I explained then looked up the stairs. "I think she's right. If they get their hands on her, they'll make it look like Jackson is the baby's father. They'll hide her so deep we'll never find her. I'm urging you to all reconsider my offer. The family can protect her, can protect all of you," I begged.

"She won't do it, and you already know it," Axel said, running his hands over his face. "Marissa won't hide from them."

"I was hoping you all could talk some sense into her, or hell, kidnap her. I can have a plane ready in an hour." I said flatly. I wasn't joking. This was not a fight she could win. Every time I learned something new, the smaller her chances got.

"We'll discuss the matter with her when she's not in little space," Corey said, effectively ending the conversation. "Would you and your men like to stay for dinner?"

"I will, but they have other matters to attend to. I'll have my driver come back," I told him then went out to talk with Luca.

****

I was in awe as I watched their family. Even knowing that the two groups had only recently merged, it was still like a well-oiled machine. Marc, Silas, Luke, and North moved around the kitchen preparing dinner while Victor, Gabe, and Nate set the table. Axel, Kota, and Owen arranged the living room to create a blanket palace for Marissa, while Raven and Corey entertained me. Sean and Marissa were still upstairs. He'd texted the others earlier to let them know she'd fallen asleep.

"Other than the judge, have you found any names associated with her case that are tied to the Academy?" Raven asked.

"One of the officers may have a connection, but I haven't been able to get proof yet - Kline I think it was," I said, sipping my water.

Corey swore under his breath, "Fucking bastard. He was one of the officers at the hospital and the one who gave me the report about the marriage. He said that since they are legally married, the prosecutor won't pursue charges yet. They want to say it was just a night of rough sex and the tapes aren't admissible."

I shook my head in frustration. This was exactly what I was talking about when I said she couldn't win this. "I'm worried about her going to Texas. I don't think her father is going to walk away from this. I'm worried she is going to get caught in the crossfire."

"They are rigging the system," Raven muttered. He was right, they were taking all of her avenues for redress away from her and making it look valid and legal.

I started to say something but I felt a soft hand on my arm. I turned to meet those soft brown eyes and felt my stomach flip. Damn, she is beautiful. Even after six years, I still find myself wanting to get lost in her. I gave her a soft smile, "Hey Flower, did you have a good nap?" She nodded but didn't say anything. "Is everything okay?" I asked her. She held out her arms to me. I quickly glanced at Raven and Corey, unsure what to do. They both just nodded, so I picked her up and set her on my lap. She let out a quiet sigh and leaned against my chest.

"I'm scared DeDe," she whispered, "I'm scared the bad people will hurt them," she looked around the room. Typical Marissa. She wasn't worried about herself as much as she worried about those she loves. She grabbed my hand and locked our pinkies together. "Promise me you'll keep them safe, no matter what." I could see the tears in her eyes and a mix of little and big Marissa peeking through.

"Flower," I started, but she cut me off.

"Promise me, DeDe."

I wasn't sure if it was a promise I could keep, but I would do my best to never let her down. I pressed a kiss to the top of her head, "I promise." She nodded and gave me a little smile. Then quick as a rabbit, she kissed my cheek and slipped off my lap, heading for the dining room. I sat with my mouth gaping for a moment when Raven laughed out loud. "What?" I asked.

"Don't you find it funny that malen'kaya shalun'ya has not one but two mafia sons wrapped around her little finger? She could bring nations to their knees," he grinned and stood to head to dinner. I chuckled as we headed into the dining room. He wasn't wrong. She drew you to her like a moth to a flame. By the time you realized how far gone you were, there was no hope of returning. The table buzzed with conversations as she sat on North's lap while he fed her. Even though they were all having individual conversations, no one's attention stayed away from her for too long. She was their center.

When the conversations turned to business, she made her way to Luke and asked, "LuLu, I'm bored. Can we play ice cream shop?" He gave her a confused look and she wriggled up into his lap and whispered in his ear. His mouth made an O shape and he grinned.

"We have to ask Sean, but if he says it's okay, then I'd love to, sugar," he gave Sean a wicked smile. She quickly scampered off his lap and darted to Sean's. She whispered in his ear as she had done with Luke and he giggled, then nodded.

"Little bug, I think that sounds like a wonderful game. Can I join you?" he asked, kissing her nose. She giggled and nodded vigorously. They all watched in confusion as Luke came out of the kitchen with chocolate and caramel syrup. Sean stepped in and grabbed a can of whipped creme. Then the trio headed up the stairs toward her room.

I let out a booming laugh as they turned toward me, looking at me like I was insane. "I take it she's never asked to play ice cream shop before?" They shook their heads. "Those lucky bastards are going to become human sundaes," I said with a gleam in my eye. "Winston created the game one night after far too many glasses of wine." They all sputtered and I chuckled as I saw Gabe slip up the stairs.

Author's Notes: Ice cream sundaes anyone?

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