Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask

Caleb’s POV

Scott’s face was carved from stone when he walked in with another man, the kind of expression that meant devastating news was heading my way. My gut twisted as he made the introductions.

"Caleb, this is Detective Nelson from the NYPD. He’s been working our parents’ car bombing case," Scott said, his voice carrying unusual weight.

Detective Nelson stepped forward, his weathered features grim. "Mr. Thorne, I wish I had better news. The car explosion that killed your parents years ago wasn’t a hit from a rival family. It was an inside job."

The words slammed into me like a physical blow. I gripped the edge of my desk, struggling to process what he’d just revealed.

"Our forensics team found evidence that the car bomb was planted by someone with intimate knowledge of your father’s daily routes," the detective continued. "The device was placed precisely where it would cause maximum damage. The timing, the location, everything points to someone within your own organization. Given what we’ve uncovered about the money laundering operation, we believe the same people orchestrated both crimes."

"An inside job," I whispered, the words tasting like poison. "Someone in my own family murdered my parents."

The grief I’d been suppressing for years crashed over me like a tidal wave. I couldn’t stop the rage-filled tears that came, couldn’t contain the raw fury that tore through my chest. My parents hadn’t died in some rival family’s vendetta. They’d been coldly, methodically betrayed and murdered by someone they trusted.

"Detective, we want these bastards buried alive," Xavier said, stepping in when I couldn’t speak. "Whatever resources you need, whatever information we have, it’s yours."

"And you are?" Detective Nelson asked.

"Xavier Black. Caleb’s consigliere and right hand."

"Good. I need complete access to everything related to this money laundering investigation. Every file, every lead, every piece of evidence. And frankly, Mr. Black, I think you should be my primary contact. Mr. Thorne is in no condition to handle the operational details right now."

"Absolutely. Let’s start immediately."

"Thank you, brother," I managed to say to Xavier, grateful he was shouldering this burden.

Margaret had been standing quietly behind Scott, and I saw her dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief. She came to me without a word, wrapping me in her arms like the mother figure she’d become. I broke down completely then, sobbing against her shoulder like I hadn’t since I was a child. Everything felt like it was crumbling around me.

"It feels like the whole world is ending," I whispered to her.

That’s when one of the soldiers spoke up from across the room. "Boss, we got a problem. The Gordon crew vanished. Their safehouse is cleaned out, and our guys saw them loading duffel bags into their car before dawn."

"Those treacherous sons of bitches!" I pulled away from Margaret, dragging my hands down my face in frustration.

Scott’s jaw was set with deadly determination. "Time to go nuclear. I’m calling every family member and associate involved in the skimming operation to the compound right now. The detective can arrest them all at once."

"Perfect. I’ll have Fisher lock down the entire estate and escort them all to the conference room. You coordinate with the cops." I grabbed my phone to call Fisher, my hands shaking with rage and adrenaline.

Soon after, we had rounded up every single person who had been stealing from family operations. Scott had contacted Detective Sullivan from organized crime, someone he’d worked with during his own family’s troubles. Sullivan arrived with a full tactical team, and I let Scott handle the interrogations while I checked on Ivy’s parents.

I found them in Xavier’s office, looking exhausted and defeated. Ivy’s father looked up when I entered.

"Son, you look like hell," he said with a weak smile.

"It’s been a day from hell," I admitted. "Still nothing on Ivy and Max. Look, it’s getting late, and I’m going to be here all night. I want you both to go to my penthouse and get some real rest. You’ll be more comfortable there, and I need you strong for when Ivy comes home."

"I feel so useless, Caleb," Ivy’s father said, his voice breaking. "My daughter and grandson are out there somewhere, and I can’t do anything to help."

"You think I know what I’m doing? I’m flying blind here too. But Zoe is running the search operation, and you know how relentless she is. We have cops, private muscle, and tactical teams ready to move the second we get a lead. What I need is for you to be rested and ready to help me take care of Ivy when this nightmare is over."

"You’re right. Zoe will tear this city apart until she finds them," he said with a genuine laugh. "We’ll go to your place. You’ll call the moment you hear anything?"

"The second I know something, you’ll know."

I turned to the others who had been waiting. "Walter, Carmen, I want you to go with them. Eat, sleep, take care of yourselves. When Ivy and Max get back, we’re all going to need to be at full strength."

"Of course, Caleb. You can count on us," Walter said, squeezing my shoulder.

"Mrs. Martinez, please go with them. Stay at my penthouse tonight. I’ll feel better knowing none of you are alone. Robert is helping Scott with the arrests, so Zoe will be working late too."

"I appreciate the hospitality, Caleb. Thomas and Diane need support right now, and honestly, I’m not much help here anyway," Mrs. Martinez agreed.

"Walter, do you need security escort?"

"No sir, I brought my own car. Ready, everyone?"

After they left, the family compound felt eerily quiet. I went to the reception area where my most trusted associates were still working.

"Girls, you should all go home and rest too..."

"Absolutely not, Caleb!" Nora cut me off before I could finish. "You’re not getting rid of any of us!"

Ruby stepped forward with her usual efficiency. "We’ve already worked out a rotation system. Nora is helping Scott with the interrogations. I’ll be providing support to Zoe’s search operation. Gemma and Lila will handle communications and any urgent family business that comes up."

"Lila?" I asked, the name sounding familiar.

"Hey everyone! Ready to take on the world!" A petite woman with incredible energy appeared, gesturing enthusiastically as she spoke.

"Caleb, meet Lila," Ruby said. "She works with Dominic’s crew. She’s the one he mentioned meeting at the social club." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"Right! Sorry, Lila, my brain isn’t firing on all cylinders right now," I said, remembering Dominic’s glowing review of this woman. "But seriously, I can bring in other soldiers. You all need breaks."

"That’s not happening, Caleb," Gemma said firmly. "Right now, we can’t be sure who in the organization can be trusted. We’re being very careful about who has access to this floor and sensitive information."

She was absolutely right. "Smart thinking, Gemma. Alright ladies, go show them how it’s done. Lila, thank you for being here. The team will fill you in on everything."

"Don’t worry about anything, boss," Lila said, her eyes sharp and focused.

Dominic appeared behind me just then. "Thanks for letting us borrow Lila, Dominic," Ruby said.

"Whatever you need, Ruby. And you, my friend, what can I do?" Dominic put his hand on my shoulder.

"You’re all already doing more than I could ask for. Thank you." I looked at Gemma. "Gemma, anything urgent I need to handle for the family operations?"

"Everything’s covered, Caleb. All meetings postponed until next week, our contacts have been notified and are showing their support. Xavier is handling documents that need your signature, and Margaret is managing the other territories. Your only job is finding Ivy and Max."

"You’re all incredible. I don’t know what I’d do without you." I headed toward my office with Dominic, feeling slightly less alone despite the darkness surrounding us.