Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask

Xavier’s POV

I found it strange that Ivy suddenly developed an aversion to my cologne. She had praised the same scent countless times before, telling me how intoxicating it was on me. Her heightened sensitivity made perfect sense though, considering the emotional chaos she was navigating. I had Caleb pick up her favorite pastries from that exclusive Italian bakery in Little Italy. Even as the Don, he genuinely enjoyed these small gestures for Ivy.

My morning was scheduled with a potential arms dealer at our private country club. We had arranged a tennis match followed by lunch to discuss some lucrative trafficking opportunities. Unfortunately, my contact received an urgent call from his cartel connections and had to abandon our meeting abruptly. With unexpected free time stretching before me, I decided to indulge in a therapeutic massage at the spa facility.

The spa building was strategically positioned away from the main courts, concealed within a secluded grove of ancient oaks and towering maples. The isolated location always helped me decompress from the constant violence of our world. As I strolled along the winding stone path, a familiar voice pierced through the afternoon silence. Peering through the dense foliage, I spotted Yara Rossi locked in what appeared to be an intense confrontation with Austin Kieran. He looked completely unhinged, probably whining about her upcoming arranged marriage to Caleb. The pathetic fool was utterly obsessed with the mafia princess.

My curiosity overwhelmed my better judgment, and I thought Caleb might find this family drama amusing. I crept closer, positioning myself behind a massive rhododendron bush, and started recording with my phone. Nothing could have prepared me for the explosive revelation I was about to witness.

"Yara, you know perfectly well I worship you. Now Rick tells me you’re planning to marry that cold bastard Caleb. Does your precious fiance have any idea how many nights you’ve spent writhing beneath me these past months?" Austin’s voice dripped with bitter accusation and desperate longing.

"Lower your voice, Austin. You should consider yourself fortunate I even bothered entertaining you," Yara shot back with her trademark entitled arrogance.

"Fortunate, Yara? Really? Well here’s the thing, princess, you’re not walking down that cathedral aisle with Thorne," Austin’s tone turned menacingly dark.

"Oh really? And just who exactly is going to prevent that sacred union from happening?" Yara’s laugh was razor-sharp and cruelly mocking.

"I am, because Rick also mentioned you’re carrying Thorne’s bastard," Austin’s fury was escalating dangerously. "But here’s what I think, Yara. I seriously doubt that child belongs to that ice-cold Don. I’m convinced it’s mine, and there’s no way in hell you’re marrying him. No other man is going to raise my flesh and blood as his heir."

My blood turned to ice as I crouched behind the ornamental bush. The scheming woman had been manipulating both men like chess pieces on her personal board. And everyone in our syndicate knew Austin intimately. This revelation was absolutely catastrophic.

"Rick has always been a terrible gossip with loose lips," Yara snapped irritably. "Listen carefully, Austin. You’re constantly professing your undying devotion to me, claiming you’d spill blood to make me happy. So prove it now and keep your mouth permanently shut." Her voice adopted that manipulative sweetness that made my skin crawl.

"What’s in it for me, Yara? I’m completely addicted to you, but I refuse to lose you to another man. Tell me the truth, am I the father of that bastard?" Austin’s voice cracked with desperate, pathetic longing.

"Look, Austin darling, Rick has his heart set on me marrying Caleb to unite our families, and contradicting the old man isn’t a survivable option. But that doesn’t mean we have to stop our private arrangements. You can still have me whenever your appetite demands." Yara’s shameless proposition made my stomach churn with disgust.

"You expect me to stand by while another man raises my child, Yara? While he claims my heir as his own? Absolutely not," Austin’s voice thundered with uncontrollable rage.

"Oh, Austin sweetie, do this one favor for your little Yara, please?" She guided him toward an ornate stone bench, and they immediately began kissing with violent passion.

When they started frantically tearing at each other’s clothing like animals in heat, I bolted from my hiding spot. The massage appointment was completely forgotten. I needed to get this intelligence to Caleb immediately. I practically sprinted back to the office compound, calling Jude during my mad dash through the city streets.

"For both of you to storm into my office looking like you’re fleeing a five-alarm fire, something monumentally serious must have occurred," Caleb observed, glancing up from the quarterly laundering reports spread across his mahogany desk.

"Caleb, you absolutely will not believe what I managed to capture on video," I announced breathlessly, still buzzing with adrenaline from my discovery.

"What could possibly be so earth-shattering, Xavier? You spent your morning playing tennis with potential partners. How explosive could it possibly be?" Caleb’s voice carried its usual hint of dangerous sarcasm.

"I witnessed your beloved fiancee in compromising action," I declared with a triumphant grin spreading across my face.

"For the love of all that’s holy, please don’t start discussing that manipulative witch again," Caleb groaned, rubbing his temples in obvious frustration.

"Oh, but I absolutely must. You need to watch this fascinating little recording. Jude, you definitely want to witness this too." I retrieved my phone, located the damning video file, and placed it directly in front of them.

"This cannot be authentic," Caleb whispered, his jaw dropping as the footage began playing. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"Watch every single second of it," I insisted eagerly.

"What an absolute whore," Jude muttered under his breath, shaking his head in complete disgust.

When the video reached its scandalous conclusion, all three of us erupted into uncontrollable, dark laughter. This exceeded our wildest expectations for family drama.

"Xavier, how on earth did you manage to record this without being detected?" Jude questioned, still chuckling with malicious amusement.

"Pure dumb luck, honestly. I recognized that irritating voice and thought I’d grab a quick video to torment Caleb with later. Never imagined it would turn into something this spectacularly damning," I explained proudly.

"How did she not spot you lurking around like some stalker?" Caleb pressed for operational details.

"I concealed myself behind that enormous bush like some kind of undercover surveillance expert," I boasted, puffing out my chest.

"More like a nosy neighborhood spy, if you ask me," Jude teased, earning himself a playful but firm shove.

"This footage is absolutely priceless. Come here, you magnificent bastard." Caleb jumped up from his leather chair, crossed the room, and pulled me into a grateful bear hug. "You just rescued me from what would have been the most horrifying mistake of my entire life."

"What horrifying mistake are you referring to?" Jude looked genuinely puzzled.

"The wedding ceremony with that psychotic manipulator, Jude," Caleb clarified with obvious relief washing over his features.

"Now we just need those DNA test results to complete our case file. Send me that video so I can create a comprehensive presentation combining both pieces of evidence to end this ridiculous arranged marriage charade once and for all," Caleb requested, his excitement building visibly.

"When should we expect the laboratory results?" I asked impatiently, eager to see this entire nightmare resolved permanently.

"They were supposed to arrive today, but Taylor had to make an emergency trip out of state for family business. He sent word that he’ll forward them the moment they’re available," Caleb explained with slight frustration.

"Let’s hope we don’t have to wait much longer," I sighed, already anticipating the explosive fireworks to come.