Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask (by Silver Spoon) novel Chapter 153

Chapter 153: Chapter 153 My Daddy

Ivy’s POV

Carmen appeared in the doorway moments later, her weathered hands gently guiding Max by his small fingers. The moment Max spotted Caleb across the secure parlor of the Thorne safe house, he broke free from Carmen’s protective grip and raced toward his father with unbridled joy.

"Caleb!" Max’s voice echoed through the bulletproof walls as he stretched his tiny arms wide. Caleb immediately dropped to his knees on the Italian marble floor, sweeping his son into his embrace with desperate intensity.

"Max. My precious boy." Caleb’s voice cracked with raw emotion as tears streamed down his scarred face. The sight of the feared mafia Don reunited with his child sent waves of emotion through every soldier and capo present. I glanced around the fortified room and saw hardened killers wiping their eyes, including myself.

"Caleb, I missed you so much. You stopped coming to see me," Max said with the innocent directness that only children possess, unaware of the dangerous world surrounding him.

"Oh, my sweet boy, I’ve been dying from missing you too." Caleb’s words came out between sobs as they clung to each other with desperate hunger, the Don’s tattooed hands trembling as they held his heir.

"Hi, Mommy." Max turned his bright face toward me while still nestled in Caleb’s powerful arms. "Uncle Xavier brought us here to the big house."

"That’s right, sweetheart. Now aren’t you going to greet everyone else?" I asked softly, my voice barely steady.

"But Mommy, I missed Caleb so terribly much!" Max declared, settling his little head against Caleb’s muscular shoulder. The most dangerous man in North America couldn’t contain his tears. "Hi, everybody!" Max suddenly announced, waving enthusiastically at the roomful of armed mafia soldiers. "Caleb, why are you crying?"

"Because seeing you makes me happier than I’ve ever been," Caleb managed to say through his overwhelming emotions, his voice echoing off the stone walls. "I’m sorry, everyone, but I’m not putting him down right now. You’ll all have to wait your turn." The room filled with understanding laughter from men who’d never shown such softness before.

"Then let’s move to the dining hall, and you can hold your boy while we eat," Xavier suggested warmly, his consigliere instincts ensuring the family’s comfort. "Max, I had the kitchen prepare those fries you love."

"Hooray!" Max clapped his hands with delight, completely oblivious to the armed guards stationed at every entrance.

We gathered around the massive mahogany dining table that had witnessed countless family meetings and territorial negotiations. I found myself mesmerized watching my son perched contentedly on his father’s lap, the Thorne family crest carved into the chair’s back framing them both. Max was all smiles as he munched on fries and chattered about his latest adventures at the secure daycare facility. Caleb refused to release his hold on Max, constantly showering him with kisses and hanging on his every word as if memorizing each syllable. I was so absorbed in watching them that I barely noticed the other family members and soldiers talking quietly around us. The conversation we still needed to have with Max weighed on my mind, and I wondered if he would truly comprehend what we were about to tell him in this world of shadows and violence.

After dinner, we moved into the comfortable family parlor where the atmosphere felt more intimate despite the security cameras monitoring every corner.

"Max, Mommy needs to tell you something very important." He remained perfectly content on Caleb’s lap, showing no intention of moving from his father’s protective embrace.

"What is it, Mommy?" He gazed at me with those stunning ice-blue eyes and that radiant smile that never failed to fill my heart completely.

"Do you remember when you asked me why you don’t have a daddy?"

Caleb smiled through his tears, the most feared Don in North America reduced to putty by his son’s touch. "Because I’m so incredibly happy to be your father, son."

"I have the best idea!" Xavier announced enthusiastically, his strategic mind already working. "Nobody’s leaving the compound tonight. This house has plenty of secure rooms, and we can all stay together and share this incredible moment."

"I absolutely love that idea, darling! Everyone should stay in the family wing," Ruby immediately supported her husband’s suggestion, understanding the need for protection and celebration.

One by one, every family member and trusted soldier agreed enthusiastically. I watched Max, who was already getting excited about what the adults were calling a "family sleepover," and felt Caleb pull me close against his chest. He whispered in my ear with deep conviction, his breath warm against my skin:

"I’ll stay anywhere you and my children are, tesoro."

Everyone looked at me with hopeful, pleading expressions, and I found myself nodding in agreement. We would stay within the safety of the Thorne compound walls. Carmen attempted to excuse herself to return to her quarters, but Xavier wouldn’t hear of it. He insisted that she stay and be part of our impromptu family celebration in the fortified safe house.

The evening turned into something magical within those bullet-resistant walls, filled with games, endless laughter, and heartwarming stories. Xavier distributed comfortable sleepwear for everyone from the house’s extensive wardrobes. When bedtime finally arrived, Caleb carefully positioned our son between us in the large guest bed and fell asleep with both of us wrapped securely in his powerful arms. I had never imagined it was possible to feel as complete and happy as I did in that perfect moment, protected by the most dangerous man in the city.

The following day, after a leisurely lunch filled with more laughter and bonding within the compound’s secure dining room, we finally prepared to return to our regular territory. Caleb was hungry to learn everything about his son and heir, and the two of them were absolutely inseparable. Since it was the weekend, Zoe thoughtfully decided to stay at Finn’s secured apartment, giving us the privacy we needed to talk and spend quality time together as a new family. We made a quick stop at Caleb’s penthouse fortress so he could gather some essential belongings, then headed to my place to begin our new life together under the protection of the Thorne name.