Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask (by Silver Spoon) novel Chapter 225

Chapter 225: Chapter 9 Second Chance Discovery

Dominic’s POV

Friday evening arrived with blessed relief when Zoe finally released me from my operational duties early.

"Seriously? You’re cutting me loose early again?" I couldn’t hide my amazement as I watched her pack up the surveillance equipment from our command center.

"Don’t get too excited. I could easily bury you under a mountain of territory reports, but I have plans tonight. This week has been absolutely draining, and frankly, you’ve been a complete nightmare to manage since you started that reckless street war with the rival gang."

"Please, no extra assignments. I’m running on fumes here. But I owe you something important."

Zoe’s eyebrows shot up as she settled back into her chair, wearing that predatory smile I’d grown to recognize. "Oh, this should be interesting."

"I might hate myself for admitting this, but you saved my operation this week. I was letting everything slide, making reckless decisions with our family’s territory. You forced me to get my act together. So thank you."

"I knew you’d see it my way eventually!" Her triumphant grin spread across her face. "For that rare moment of honesty, I’m granting you weekend freedom. But if you drag yourself in here Monday morning reeking of alcohol and regret, you’ll wish you’d never been born."

"Scout’s honor, I’ll behave myself." I threw up my hand in mock solemnity.

After Zoe swept out of our headquarters like a conquering general, I grabbed my phone and dialed Xavier. Time to blow off some steam at the Social Union.

"Tell me Caleb is completely gone over Ivy," I said, sliding into the booth across from my best friend at our usual underground casino.

"The man’s absolutely whipped. And she’s just as bad for him." Xavier’s eyes lit up with gossip.

"Give me details. I need entertainment."

"Caught them practically devouring each other in his private office this afternoon. Multiple times recently." Xavier leaned forward conspiratorially.

The conversation flowed as easily as the drinks. Seeing Caleb finally fall for someone who wasn’t a complete disaster felt like witnessing a miracle. I filled Xavier in on Zoe’s iron-fisted management style and how she’d been systematically dismantling my bad habits in running our money laundering operations.

"Honestly, Dominic, you needed someone exactly like Zoe to snap you out of whatever spiral you were in. You were starting to mirror your father’s worst impulses when he was still with the family." Xavier’s words hit harder because they rang true.

"Yeah, I was acting like a complete--" My confession died mid-sentence as I spotted trouble walking through the entrance. "Xavier, we need to evacuate immediately. The unholy trinity just arrived, and I cannot handle Beatrix’s drama tonight."

"God, not those three again. Yara’s performance at Thorne Enterprises this week was enough psychological warfare for a lifetime. Caleb actually banned her from all family properties." Xavier was already reaching for his wallet.

"Wait, he actually banned her?" The idea delighted me more than it should have. "Maybe I should apply for a transfer to Caleb’s inner circle. Sounds like you guys know how to handle troublemakers."

"Let’s get out of here before they spot us, and I’ll give you the full story."

We bolted for the exit, but not before hearing the women calling our names across the casino floor. Once we hit the parking lot, Xavier suggested hitting a different establishment since it was Friday night and we deserved some mindless fun.

The underground club provided exactly the distraction I needed. Between drinks, stories about family politics, and watching Xavier make questionable decisions, I didn’t check the time until very late. I stumbled home to my secured apartment and collapsed into bed, dead to the world.

The shrill ring of my phone dragged me back to consciousness. Without opening my eyes, I fumbled for the device.