Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask (by Silver Spoon) novel Chapter 114

Chapter 114: Chapter 114 Cornered Like Prey

Caleb’s POV

I cannot comprehend the catastrophic mess I’ve orchestrated. What possessed me during Heidi’s farewell gathering that cursed night? The whiskey transformed me into someone unrecognizable, and now I face consequences that feel like eternal punishment in the family’s deepest dungeon.

Days of grueling territorial negotiations, days attempting to extract myself from this nightmare with Yara’s faked cartel assassination attempt, and every avenue has been systematically blocked by her father’s network. Roman Rossi has cornered me like a wounded animal with nowhere to flee, using his daughter as the ultimate weapon.

"Boss?" Xavier’s voice cuts through my spiraling thoughts like a blade through flesh.

"Up here," I call back from the penthouse rooftop that overlooks our territory.

The city sprawls beneath me like a battlefield of glittering lights, and I find myself contemplating whether falling might be preferable to the alternative fate Roman has designed. The thought chills me more than any rival family’s threats ever could.

"What’s the emergency, Don?" Xavier’s face shows genuine concern as he emerges onto the rooftop with Dominic, Finn, and Jude flanking him like the loyal soldiers they are. When I summoned them, my voice cracked like a teenager’s, desperately pleading for their immediate presence.

"I’m drowning in concrete boots, and every struggle pulls me deeper into Roman’s trap," I say, embracing each of my most trusted capos.

"Then we break out the good bourbon until the world makes sense again," Dominic suggests, already reaching toward the outdoor bar like he’s preparing liquid courage instead of simple refuge.

"Absolutely not." My voice carries more authority than intended. "Drinking created this disaster. One night of too much whiskey, and now Roman owns me through his daughter’s fabricated assassination attempt."

"Smart thinking. I’ll prepare something without the poison," Finn offers, moving toward the bar setup like he’s mixing salvation instead of simple sodas.

"I’ll still be drinking because dealing with Nora while sober is impossible," Jude mutters, earning dark chuckles from everyone except me. Nothing feels amusing when your empire hangs in the balance.

"Talk to us, Don. What’s consuming you alive?" Xavier settles into one of the chairs, his expression deadly serious.

"I’m getting married." The words taste like ash mixed with blood. "Roman’s set my execution date, and I’ve already been forced to agree."

"Like hell you are," Dominic explodes with the fury of a true soldier. "We won’t let you sacrifice yourself over one drunken mistake."

"It’s not that straightforward," Finn interrupts, handing me a glass of ice-cold Coke. "This is about protecting Ivy from Roman’s network, isn’t it? They’re using her as their primary leverage."

"Exactly." The admission burns my throat worse than any bullet wound I’ve endured. "I’ve offered them everything - the entire shipping operation, my personal fortune, territorial concessions. But the Claremonts have one non-negotiable demand."

"Hold on." Dominic looks confused like he’s missing crucial intelligence. "What am I not seeing here?"

"Gemma hasn’t briefed you?" Xavier asks with surprise.

"Gemma’s been shadowing Ivy constantly since this war began. The women have established rotating security shifts," Dominic explains with military precision.

"Same with Ruby. She’s barely returned to our apartment," Xavier adds grimly. "And Jude’s practically established permanent residence in my guest room to avoid his own domestic battleground."

Jude raises his glass in a mock salute to that accurate assessment.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify