Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask (by Silver Spoon) novel Chapter 179

Chapter 179: Chapter 179 Ring From The Vault

Caleb’s POV

The morning sun cast long shadows across my office as I stared at the encrypted message from Detective Adler that had arrived during the night. Rossi remained at large, a venomous serpent slithering through the shadows of our territory. While I had been lost in Ivy’s embrace, danger had been circling us like vultures waiting to feast on carrion.

I couldn’t afford such distractions anymore. Not when my family faced mortal threats from every corner of this blood-soaked underworld.

My first call went to Fisher, my voice cutting through the dawn silence with deadly precision. "I need six of your most trusted soldiers at my compound within the hour. Full background verification, no exceptions."

"Already anticipated your needs, Don," Fisher’s voice crackled through with practiced efficiency. "These men have served under me for years. I’d stake my life on their loyalty."

Soon after, a team of armed professionals arrived at my private residence. I observed as they systematically evaluated every entrance, every potential weakness in our defenses. Their presence should have provided comfort, but the knot of dread in my gut only tightened further.

I assembled my family in the main living area, Ivy cradling Max protectively while tension radiated from every line of her elegant frame. The security team leader, a scarred veteran named Anderson whose movements spoke of countless battlefield encounters, briefed us on the new operational protocols.

"Max doesn’t move without two bodyguards," I commanded, my tone brooking absolutely no argument. "Ivy, you take a minimum of three armed escorts for any movement beyond these walls."

Ivy nodded without hesitation, and I could see the fear she was desperately trying to conceal behind her composed mask. She understood the gravity of our situation with the same clarity that I did.

"I’ll be at headquarters handling some urgent family business," I informed her, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. "My phone remains on at all times."

The drive to our legitimate front office felt interminable, every shadow seeming to conceal potential assassins. Once I arrived, I immediately contacted Detective Adler, my fingers drumming restlessly against my mahogany desk as the secure line connected.

"Detective, my apologies for the delayed response to your intelligence."

"No concerns, Thorne. I figured you needed time to process yesterday’s developments."

"Regarding Rossi’s escape from custody," I said, cutting directly to the heart of the matter. "Xavier mentioned he vanished just before your arrival. That timing suggests more than mere coincidence."

Detective Adler’s pause carried weight. "I’ve been considering the same angle. Thorne, I believe you still harbor a traitor within your organization. Someone Rossi’s known associates haven’t identified. Someone who’s been feeding him classified information."

The words struck me like physical blows. "You’re informing me that after everything we’ve exposed, there’s still a rat in my operation?"

"Search for someone who blends seamlessly into the background," Adler advised. "Someone with access to multiple departments, someone who observes more than they speak. The type of individual who becomes invisible precisely because they’re always present."

I massaged my temples, feeling the crushing weight of perpetual betrayal pressing down on me. "I’ll identify this snake."

"Exercise extreme caution, Thorne. Rossi has already demonstrated he’ll eliminate anyone who threatens him. One additional matter - this Brodie character involved in the kidnapping operation. He was Ivy’s former lover, correct?"

"Affirmative, they maintained a relationship for several years. She terminated it upon discovering his infidelity with her cousin."

"Fascinating. He claims he’s maintained contact with Rossi for years. Does Ivy possess knowledge of this connection?"

"Absolutely not. She was completely devastated to learn of his involvement in Max’s abduction."