Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask (by Silver Spoon) novel Chapter 220

Chapter 220: Chapter 4 Taking Control

Dominic’s POV

Monday morning hit like a sledgehammer, and the whiskey from last night’s territory meeting was exacting its brutal revenge. My body felt like it had been worked over by rival family enforcers, every muscle screaming in protest. The dangerous lifestyle of a Thorne family Capo was taking its toll, and I was seriously questioning whether my habit of celebrating successful money laundering operations was worth these punishing mornings.

But today brought salvation in the form of my interview with Zoe Miller, my new intelligence coordinator. After checking with my network of informants and contacts, everyone confirmed she was a force to be reckoned with in the underworld information game. Professional, efficient, and apparently capable of keeping even the most unruly family lieutenants in line.

Mia swept into my Zenith Systems office carrying a stack of laundering contracts that needed my signature. As she placed the documents on my mahogany desk, her eyes gleamed with that particular look she got when she had underground gossip to share.

"I spoke with Heidi this morning," she began, settling into the leather chair across from me like she was preparing for a detailed briefing. "She says Don Caleb finally found someone brave enough to work directly under him."

I glanced up from the financial papers, pen hovering over the first signature line. These documents would funnel another million through our legitimate businesses by week’s end. "The woman Miller recommended for Thorne operations. Word through the family channels is she’s extremely capable."

"Oh, she’s capable alright," Mia said with a knowing smile. "But Heidi doesn’t think she’ll survive in that inner circle long."

That caught my attention immediately. I leaned back in my leather chair, studying Mia’s expression with the sharp focus that made me one of the family’s most trusted Capos. "What makes you say that?"

"Because according to Heidi, this Ivy woman is absolutely stunning. Like she walked straight out of a high-end magazine stunning."

I raised an eyebrow. In our world, beauty could be both an asset and a deadly liability. "And that’s a problem because?"

"Because Xavier Black can’t keep his hands to himself around beautiful women, and Don Caleb has the personality of a cactus dipped in acid," Mia said with a dramatic sigh. "Ever since his parents were eliminated in that supposed accident, Caleb’s been impossible to work for. Cold, demanding, completely shut off from everyone except you and Xavier."

I couldn’t argue with that assessment. Caleb had built walls around himself so high that most family associates gave up trying to climb them. He was brilliant at running our operations but terrible with people, especially employees who couldn’t handle his direct communication style and violent outbursts.

"Well, from what Miller told me, she’s tougher than she looks," I said, leaning forward conspiratorially. "But if Thorne drives her away with his charming personality, I’ll recruit her for Zenith Systems immediately."

"You’re incorrigible," Mia laughed, shaking her head. "Oh, and before I forget, your father called again from his exile. He’s got another new girlfriend and wants to tell you all about how she’s ’the one’ this time."

I groaned audibly. My father Marcus’s romantic adventures were the last thing I wanted to deal with while nursing a hangover and managing family business. The man had been banished from Thorne territory for betraying family codes, but he still felt compelled to share every detail of his pathetic new life with me.

Instead of calling him back, I grabbed my secure phone and dialed Xavier’s encrypted number.

"Already missing me, little Dominic?" Xavier’s voice came through with its usual cheerful energy. The man maintained perpetual optimism despite being our family’s most ruthless military strategist, which sometimes made me wonder if he was actually human.

"God, yes," I said, rubbing my temples. "I’ve never wanted an excuse to visit the Syndicate Thorne headquarters more desperately."

"You heard about the new inner circle situation?" Xavier’s voice carried the same curiosity we’d all been feeling about Caleb’s latest hire.

"Put me on speaker if Jude’s there. I have intelligence to share."

"Jude’s right here at the hotel bar. Don Caleb’s upstairs in his penthouse office, naturally."

"Of course he is," I muttered. The man lived and breathed family business. "Listen, Mia got information from our network."

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