Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask (by Silver Spoon) novel Chapter 120

Chapter 120: Chapter 120 Moving Forward

Ivy’s POV

When I reached the executive floor of Thorne Group, Gemma practically launched herself from behind her desk and dragged me toward the private conference room we used for sensitive conversations.

"Tell me everything right now! How did your lunch with the casino boss go?"

"It went well, Gemma, really well. But you’ll have to wait until tonight when we’re all together at the safe house. I’m not telling this story multiple times."

"You’re seriously going to torture us with curiosity until then?" Gemma’s face scrunched into a dramatic pout. "But heads up, the Don found out about your lunch with Parker."

My stomach dropped like a stone. In the mafia world, nothing stayed secret for long. "How could he possibly know?" 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"Caleb told him."

"That traitor..." I muttered, though I knew Caleb was only being loyal to his Don.

"I heard Caleb telling Xavier that maybe it’s better if you move forward. He said the Don doesn’t want to see you hurt anymore, and Parker’s reputation in neutral territory is solid. But Ivy, Caleb looked completely destroyed when he heard."

The familiar ache twisted in my chest like a knife. "I know he is, Gemma, but I can’t keep drowning in this situation. I have Max depending on me. Parker understands we’re just friends establishing trust. He knows exactly where I stand emotionally. Caleb’s engagement is still pending family approval, and I refuse to be anyone’s kept woman."

"You’re absolutely right. We should get back to work before the other families start watching our movements."

At my desk, I pulled out my encrypted phone to find it buzzing with notifications. The syndicate wives had bombarded our secure group chat with messages about my lunch with the casino kingpin, complete with ridiculous emojis and animated stickers. I quickly typed that I’d give them all the details tonight at our weekly gathering.

My parents had sent their usual check-in message to my civilian phone. I still hadn’t found the strength to tell them about the dangerous world I’d become entangled in. That conversation would have to wait until my next visit to their quiet suburban home, far from the blood and violence that now defined my daily life.

Carmen had sent the most adorable photo of Max completely covered in vanilla gelato from the Italian place in Little Italy, his tiny hands raised in victory with the biggest grin on his chocolate-smeared face. Her message explained that the heat had been unbearable during their walk through the family’s protected neighborhood, but Max had been such an angel during lunch that he earned the special treat. I couldn’t help but smile. My son would eat anything I put in front of him, but gelato and sweets were his weakness, just like his father’s sweet tooth that I’d observed during late-night strategy meetings.

Then there was Parker’s message, sent through encrypted channels, which made my smile feel different somehow.

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