Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask (by Silver Spoon) novel Chapter 203

Chapter 203: Chapter 203 One Baby Gone

Daniel’s POV

The decision to visit the private medical facility today seemed routine enough. I had wrapped up a security sweep in the territory and mentioned to my crew that I wanted to check on Caleb and Ivy’s newborn quadruplets. My lieutenant Bella, who was behind the wheel of our armored sedan, immediately perked up at the mention of meeting the babies. Before I knew it, the entire security detail was eager to see them.

We had been hunting Roman for months now, and my team had become deeply invested in this vendetta. Each of them had crossed paths with our Don and his wife at some point during our operations, forming a loyalty that went beyond professional duty to the Thorne family.

Bella insisted we make a detour to the facility’s exclusive gift boutique. Soon we were all pooling our money together, buying metallic balloons, premium chocolates for Ivy, and an assortment of stuffed animals. The sight of three seasoned enforcers debating over teddy bear colors would have been amusing under different circumstances.

Standing before the private nursery window, watching those four tiny beings sleep peacefully, should have filled me with warmth. Instead, an icy dread settled in my stomach. Something was wrong. I counted again, slower this time. Three babies. Only three.

I approached the private security guard stationed nearby, keeping my voice steady despite the alarm bells screaming in my head. "Where’s the fourth baby?"

He shrugged with casual indifference. "One of them got taken for some medical procedures, I think."

"Just one?" The question came out sharper than I intended. "Why would only one need testing?"

His blank stare told me everything I needed to know. He had no answers, and worse, he hadn’t thought to ask questions. This wasn’t one of our people.

A nurse emerged from the nursery, her scrubs pristine white under the soft lighting. I intercepted her path, my tactical vest and visible family crest immediately commanding her attention. She took in my bulletproof protection, still worn from our earlier patrol, and the Thorne insignia on my jacket.

"Ma’am, I need to know why only one of the quadruplets was taken for procedures."

Her expression shifted from professional courtesy to concern. "Let me check our system."

She disappeared back into the nursery, her fingers flying across the computer keyboard in the corner. When she returned, her face had gone pale.

"Sir, we have a serious problem. There are no medical orders for any of those babies in our system. I’m alerting facility security immediately."

The world seemed to slow around me. "Do it now!" I barked, already pulling out my encrypted phone. "Which direction did they go?" I demanded of the security guard, whose casual demeanor had evaporated into nervous fidgeting.

He pointed toward a corridor with shaking hands.

My fingers found Director Taylor’s number with muscle memory. The facility director picked up right away.

"Taylor, lock down the facility immediately. One of the Don’s babies is missing. Code Black, now!"

I didn’t wait for his response. The announcement system crackled to life before I even hung up, announcing the lockdown protocol that would seal every exit within seconds.

I sprinted down the corridor the guard had indicated, my boots echoing against the polished floor. Every staff member I passed got the same urgent question about a nurse and security escort. The trail led me to a fire escape door, and my blood ran cold when I found it unlocked.

Inside, I discovered the security guard crumpled on the landing, blood seeping from a gash on his head. I dragged his unconscious form back through the doorway just as the security protocols engaged, sealing us inside.

A doctor materialized at my side, professional instincts kicking in as he assessed the injured guard. When the man regained consciousness, his story confirmed my worst fears. He remembered following the supposed nurse into the stairwell, finding her behavior suspicious. Then nothing but pain and darkness.

"He needs stitches and a full medical workup," the doctor informed me as I prepared to leave them.

I needed to get back to my team, but the security doors between facility wings had already locked down. Another call to Taylor resolved that obstacle, but precious minutes were slipping away.