Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask (by Silver Spoon) novel Chapter 222

Chapter 222: Chapter 6 Package Mix Up

Dominic’s POV

I walked into the Thorne family’s underground headquarters that morning expecting the best day in weeks. My new intelligence coordinator would finally start, which meant I could delegate some of the crushing surveillance and territory management that had been suffocating me. Plus, I was looking forward to hearing about Caleb’s latest enforcement issues, and I had dinner plans with Kira tonight. Everything felt like it was falling into place perfectly.

The reinforced elevator chimed as it reached the secured floor of our operations center, and I stepped out expecting a normal morning. Instead, I found Zoe positioned near my office door like an armed sentinel, leather jacket crossed over her chest, one steel-toed boot tapping an impatient rhythm against the concrete floor. Her expression could have frozen hell over.

Before I could even process what was happening, she launched herself at me like a guided missile.

"So this is what you call leadership, Dominic? Your territory reports look like a war zone hit them, and you have enough backlogged intelligence to bury a small army. This entire operation is one step away from complete chaos! If a federal raid is your endgame, just tell me now so I can save myself the headache of working here." The words tumbled out of her mouth in one continuous stream, and all I wanted to do was turn around and sprint back to the elevator.

"I absolutely adore her already!" Mia shouted from across the surveillance room, her grin so wide it practically split her face in half. She was clearly relishing every second of my torment.

Zoe had already established her dominance, treating me like a wild stallion that needed breaking. The metaphorical chains were already around my ankles.

"Exactly how late am I?" I asked, glancing at my watch and wondering if I had somehow lost half the day.

"The issue, Dominic, is that you are supposed to be the Capo of this operation. The captain stays with the ship. You should arrive first and leave last." She snapped her fingers directly in front of my nose. "Major changes are coming to this organization, Dominic, and you can count on that. Starting immediately, I am taking charge of your intelligence network, and you will follow my protocols while we rebuild this disaster. Accept it or I walk. Are we clear?"

"Absolutely, ma’am!" I could not suppress a laugh, but I immediately knew I had made a terrible mistake. Her stare could have melted steel.

"You find this amusing, Dominic? Will you still be laughing when the feds shut down this operation? Move. We have serious work to do. Your vacation from responsibility ends now."

"You do realize I control your territory assignments, correct?" Just like during her interview, I found myself questioning who actually ran this operation.

"Naturally! And I also understand that you are completely dependent on me, while I have countless other families who would kill for my services. So drop the attitude and let us begin." She stood with her hands on her hips like a general addressing troops. "Just so we are perfectly clear moving forward, I am now the voice inside your head that keeps you from making stupid decisions. That means I establish the protocols. I already told you, you are now under my coordination. Understood?" I found myself nodding like an obedient soldier.

Zoe strode toward my office and I trailed behind her like a loyal enforcer. We buried ourselves in territory reports for the entire morning. Her competence was undeniable, her tactical decisions swift and decisive. She handled every situation with the same ruthless instincts her father was famous for. At mid-morning, my secure phone rang and Zoe answered it on speaker.

"What do you need, Mia?" They had bonded instantly. These two would transform me into Caleb’s twin, permanently grumpy and sworn off women.

"Zo, Dominic has two visitors waiting at the security checkpoint. One happens to be his mother," Mia responded, barely containing her amusement. "I have a feeling you will find this meeting particularly entertaining."

"Send them up immediately, Mia. Let us see what kind of trouble this fool has created now." Zoe looked at me with the expression of a predator spotting wounded prey.

Moments later, my mother and Kira burst through the reinforced office doors, Kira looking like she wanted to commit murder. Each woman carried an identical black gift bag, and my stomach dropped as I recognized the packages I had sent them.

"Good morning, sweetheart! You certainly gave mommy quite a surprise today." My mother beamed with joy, obviously thrilled with whatever she had received.

"Dominic darling, we need to have a private conversation immediately." Kira spoke without preamble, shooting daggers at Zoe with her eyes.

"Not happening, princess!" Zoe responded before I could open my mouth, and I stared at her in complete shock. "Dominic darling is swamped with family business. State your purpose quickly and then hit the road, sweetheart."

Zoe rose from her chair and approached my mother with surprising grace, introducing herself politely and guiding her to the chair across from my desk. Kira stood frozen, clearly expecting me to intervene.

"Who exactly is this lunatic, Dominic dear?" Kira pronounced my name with her distinctive accent, which normally charmed me but now sounded accusatory.

"Lunatic? That is rich coming from you." Zoe laughed coldly. "I might be particular about security protocols, but I am certainly not insane. However, I do have manners, so allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Zoe Miller, and Dominic now answers to me. I control his operations, manage his priorities, and decide who deserves his attention."

"So that explains this pathetic little gift, Dominic? This is how you choose to end things between us?" Kira’s voice shook with rage.

"I have no idea what you mean, Kira." I managed to speak for the first time since they had invaded my office.

My intelligence coordinator had left me speechless. Perhaps she was more than just particular about details, but I decided to keep that observation to myself. Her father had warned me she would keep me disciplined, but she was essentially taking over my entire existence. The strangest part was that I was allowing it and actually enjoying the experience.

I looked at Kira, who appeared ready to explode with fury. Then I glanced at my mother, who was examining the adult items with genuine fascination. What had I done?

"Ladies, let me fix this situation." I stood and grabbed the box containing the Bible and rosary, walking toward my mother. "We simply need to exchange them."

When I reached for the other box, my mother slapped my hand away sharply.

"Keep your hands to yourself. This gift belongs to me now, and I am not returning it," my mother snapped. "Give that religious stuff to your girlfriend because she obviously needs spiritual guidance. I already own a Bible, but these items are completely new to me. I am keeping the toys." My mother’s eyes sparkled as she clutched the box protectively.

I stared at my mother in disbelief and desperately sought help from Zoe, who was thoroughly entertained by the entire situation. She was already explaining the purpose of each gel to my mother in detail.

"Dominic, fix this disaster immediately!" Kira screamed, positioning herself directly in front of me while I held the box with the Bible. At that moment, I realized I was the one who needed divine intervention. "We need to talk privately, Dominic."

Zoe calmly stood and approached Kira, looking her up and down with obvious disdain before flipping her hair over her shoulders dramatically.

"Listen carefully, princess, this is not some cheap entertainment venue," Zoe gestured around the office with authority. "Monday through Friday, during operations hours, and whenever else I deem necessary, Dominic belongs to this family. I am in complete control! And I refuse to tolerate trashy women contaminating a professional workspace. Turn around and remove yourself from these premises immediately."

"Dominic!" Kira screamed.

In that moment, I realized that Zoe would restore order to our operations, and I needed her expertise more than I needed Kira’s drama. I had been incredibly careless with my family responsibilities, and that was unacceptable.

"Look, Kira, I apologize, but this is not an appropriate time for personal discussions." I tried to soften the rejection, but my words had the opposite effect.

"Never contact me again, Dominic!" Kira spun around and stormed out, radiating fury. Only then did I notice Mia standing in the doorway, practically dying from laughter.

I had become entertainment for Mia and Zoe. When I turned back around, I saw my mother holding the vibrating device, which was clearly activated, with the suction component pressed against her palm. She wore a huge smile, her eyebrows raised as she looked at Zoe with obvious approval, her cheeks flushed with excitement. Dear God, what had I unleashed?