Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask

Caleb’s POV

After the whirlwind of revelations today, my only desire was to return to the estate and embrace my son. My son. Max was actually my flesh and blood. The thought sent waves of elation through my chest, but Ivy had succumbed to exhaustion from the medication and collapsed onto Xavier’s leather sofa in his private study. She refused my suggestion of moving to the master bedroom, insisting she wanted to remain close to everyone in the family. So I settled beside her, cradling her head in my lap as my fingers traced gentle patterns through her silky hair.

Dr. Taylor instructed us to wait until Ivy regained consciousness before departing for the estate. He handed me a mountain of documentation about her current pregnancy and extensive medical records from Max’s birth, which he had also supervised in secret. After our lengthy discussion about the family’s medical security protocols, he bid his farewells and disappeared into the evening with his armed escort. Scott recognized his cue to leave for his patrol duties, and Heidi concluded her encrypted communications with our overseas operations.

"So, newly crowned father, what’s running through your mind right now?" Xavier inquired with barely contained excitement from behind his mahogany desk. "Because I’m about to dethrone Zoe and Finn as the world’s most devoted uncle in this family."

"In your dreams, Xavier! You might surpass Finn, but competing with me? Not a chance in hell!" Zoe retorted from her position near the fireplace, eliciting deep laughter from the capos present.

"Xavier, I’m struggling to find adequate words to express what I’m experiencing. Happiness feels insufficient. I’m absolutely euphoric," I responded to my consigliere, tears threatening to spill from my eyes. "I’m desperate to hold my son and bring him home to the compound."

"Max’s going to be over the moon with this news. That boy mentions you constantly during our security briefings, like he’s completely enchanted by his protector," Zoe observed while adjusting her concealed holster.

"As the old Don always insisted, Zo, blood calls to blood in this family," Gemma interjected from her monitoring station.

"When my parents discover this, they’re going to lose their minds with joy," Zoe declared with a radiant smile. "They’ve always treated Ivy like their own daughter since she entered our protection."

"Zo, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I’ll be eternally grateful to you and your entire bloodline," I said, grasping her hand as she positioned herself near Ivy’s feet like a loyal guardian.

"For what, Caleb?" she asked, genuine confusion coloring her voice.

"For consistently protecting Ivy and my son from the street threats. And for orchestrating her entrance into our family operations," I said with raw emotion.

"You’re such a sentimental bastard, but I suppose I can tolerate you," Zoe teased. "However, you still have mountains of territory disputes to resolve. I have faith you’ll manage, but there’s extensive blood to spill."

We had been engaged in conversation for considerable time when Veronica’s voice echoed loudly as she argued with Xavier’s armed sentries who failed to restrain her at the compound gates. Veronica burst through the reinforced doors and surveyed everyone assembled in the war room.

"There you are, Caleb!" She flashed a predatory smile and began advancing toward me with calculated steps.

With Ivy’s head resting in my lap, I was completely defenseless. I quickly turned to Zoe with desperation in my voice.

"Zo, I need your firepower. That’s my ex from the rival territories."

Zoe’s eyes blazed with fury as she launched herself upward like a missile and positioned herself as a barrier between Veronica and me, her hand instinctively moving toward her weapon.

"Well, well! If it isn’t that pathetic whore Veronica Loxley!" Zoe’s smile was razor-sharp. "What brings you to our family compound, you worthless street trash?"

"Who gives you the authority to address me that way, Zoe?" Veronica’s eyes sparked with venomous hatred.

"I’m the daughter of the loyal soldier you attempted to seduce for information. Oh, and I’m also the woman who demolished you and dragged your face across concrete outside that nightclub years ago. Ring any bells? Would you like me to jog your memory with my brass knuckles?" Zoe’s threat was ice-cold and deadly serious.

"Keep your distance from me, you deranged psychopath!" Veronica shrieked.

"Lower your voice, you informant!" Zoe seized Veronica’s hair and spoke through clenched teeth. "I haven’t forgotten how you convinced my mother that my father had compromised family security for you."

"Release me, you insane bitch!" Veronica fought against Zoe’s iron grip. "You’re completely unhinged, Zoe!"

"Absolutely, I am completely unhinged! Don’t assume I’ve forgotten all your espionage schemes against this family. And don’t imagine that beating outside the club was sufficient revenge for me." I had never witnessed Zoe in such a state. She was pure, concentrated fury ready to execute.

Zoe jerked Veronica’s hair with one violent motion, sending her crashing to the marble floor. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"You have severe psychological problems, Zoe," Veronica whined while struggling to her feet, then fixed her gaze on me. "Are you going to allow this soldier to treat me this way, Caleb?"

"I would inflict far worse punishment myself!" Xavier rose with a menacing expression, his hand resting on his gun. "I never extended safe passage to you through our territory, you rat. I despise you and everything you represent, so remove yourself before I contact our enforcement team and have you disappeared for trespassing on family grounds."

I carefully stood, positioning Ivy’s head on a silk cushion, and asked Finn to watch over her with his life. I joined Xavier and Zoe, standing in solidarity as I regarded Veronica with complete contempt and barely restrained violence.

"When exactly did this informant attempt to compromise your father’s loyalty, Zo?" I inquired with dangerous calm.

"Years ago during the territorial expansion. I knew she was working for someone, but I had no clue it was you she was targeting. This worthless spy nearly destroyed my parents’ marriage and compromised our family’s security network, and my father never even touched her," Zoe seethed with rage. "I still possess those surveillance recordings, you snake. Want me to broadcast them for the entire syndicate? Especially your new handlers?"

"Listen carefully, Zoe, don’t attempt to blackmail me! I disappeared from your territories," Veronica said, desperately trying to regain control.

"Yes, you vanished after I dragged your face across the asphalt behind the nightclub," Zoe declared. "Don’t you recall, Caleb? Didn’t you notice your informant’s face completely scraped up when she limped back to her handlers?"

"You demon from hell, I required reconstructive surgery in the underground clinics. You destroyed my face," Veronica complained bitterly.

"Damn right I did!" Zoe said with unmistakable pride. "And I’m losing my composure again, and I don’t give a damn about maintaining my clean record with family leadership."

"And I assumed it was a territorial dispute injury," I said with disgust, realizing how thoroughly I had been deceived.

"I remember seeing you completely broken in the emergency room, you rat! Zoe, you have my eternal respect. You demolished this spy like she’d been hit by our enforcement vehicle!" Xavier said, laughing with genuine appreciation.

"Well, Veronica, I assume you have no further intelligence gathering business with our family," Dominic stood and approached with predatory grace. "But if you prefer, I can share details about your operations in our European territories. I have some fascinating photographs from your surveillance work. We encountered each other multiple times at that information exchange point where you operated, correct? Incidentally, your former handler mentioned you’re the worst double agent he’s ever recruited."

"Jesus Christ, Dominic, you really managed to shock me with that revelation, you bastard!" Jude commented with harsh laughter from his position guarding the door.