Behind the Mask

Chapter 63

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.