Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask (by Silver Spoon) novel Chapter 117

Chapter 117: Chapter 117 Bitter Sweet Confession

Ivy’s POV

Consciousness returned to me slowly in the dim shadows of Xavier’s office. A single desk lamp cast amber light across the mahogany surfaces, and through the bulletproof windows, the city’s neon glow painted the darkness in shades of blood and gold. My mind felt clouded, struggling to piece together how I had ended up on this leather sofa. The last coherent memory was sitting at my desk earlier, drowning in the endless columns of laundered money while an overwhelming wave of exhaustion threatened to pull me under.

A familiar warmth encircled my ankle, sending electric shivers up my spine. Even before my eyes found him, I recognized that possessive touch. My feet had somehow found their way onto Caleb’s lap, and his battle-scarred hands moved in slow, hypnotic circles around my ankles, each stroke a silent claim of ownership.

"There you are, my angel. How do you feel?" His voice carried that dangerous edge that always made my pulse race with equal parts fear and desire.

"Disoriented. What time is it? I don’t remember lying down here." The words came out thick with the remnants of whatever Katelyn had given me.

"Well past nightfall. Katelyn brewed you one of her special concoctions to help you rest. She didn’t hold back with the dosage, said you needed to shut down completely." A tired smile played at the corners of his mouth, but it didn’t reach those ice-blue eyes. "I found you collapsed at your desk and carried you here. Figured you’d prefer waking up in neutral territory rather than in my private quarters."

"You figured right." I pulled my feet from his lap and attempted to stand, but my body felt like it was moving through thick molasses.

"Easy, tesoro. You’ve been unconscious for hours. Your system needs time to process whatever Katelyn put in that tea," he murmured, his palm moving in soothing circles across my back, drawing an involuntary sigh from my lips despite everything between us.

"Those flowers the Clairemonts sent..."

"Handled with extreme prejudice. But we need to talk, Ivy. Really talk about what’s happening here."

"Fine. What is it you want to say?" I surrendered with a heavy sigh. Running wasn’t an option anymore, not when the Thorne territory was the only safe haven in a city full of enemies.

"Food first." He reached for a container of Chinese takeout on the coffee table, extending it toward me along with chopsticks. "You haven’t eaten since breakfast."

"I need to clean up first."

"Xavier’s private bathroom is through there. Your bag’s waiting for you."

I took my purse and escaped to the small washroom attached to the office. The harsh fluorescent lights made me wince as my eyes adjusted. When I finally looked in the mirror, I barely recognized the woman staring back. My clothes were wrinkled beyond repair, my eyes swollen from tears I couldn’t remember shedding, my hair a tangled mess. After using the facilities, I splashed cold water on my face, brushed my teeth, and did what I could to make myself presentable enough to face whatever confession was coming.

When I emerged, the office lights were fully illuminated, revealing Caleb in the same spot with his arms braced on his knees, head buried in his hands like a man confessing his sins to God. He looked utterly defeated, his usual predatory composure completely shattered. I set my purse on a nearby chair and settled beside him on the leather couch, careful to maintain some distance.

He lifted his head slowly, and our eyes met across the space between us. His reflection of exhaustion matched mine perfectly. Dark shadows beneath those striking blue eyes, the telltale redness of suppressed rage and frustration, hair disheveled from running his fingers through it repeatedly. He’d shed his suit jacket and shoulder holster, rolled his sleeves up to reveal the intricate tattoos that marked him as Thorne family, and left several buttons undone on his shirt. Slowly, he leaned back against the cushions and offered me a smile that held more pain than comfort. Even in this broken state, he remained the most devastatingly dangerous man I’d ever encountered.

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