Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask (by Silver Spoon) novel Chapter 236

Chapter 236: Chapter 20 Floral Offensive Launch

Dominic’s POV

Monday morning found me meeting my brothers at a small café in our territory, wondering what scheme our Don had orchestrated this time. The early hour made me question agreeing to this gathering when I could have been planning my next move with Gemma.

"Alright Caleb, what operation pulled me from my surveillance reports at dawn?" I asked, settling into the corner booth with espresso strong enough to wake the dead.

Our Don’s eyes gleamed with calculated mischief. "We’re launching a floral offensive, gentlemen. Nothing demonstrates serious territorial claims like an overwhelming display of power."

Finn nodded with military precision. "Perfect timing. Zoe’s been freezing me out since the warehouse incident, and I need every advantage available."

"What caliber of arrangements are we discussing?" Jude inquired, ever the strategist.

Xavier leaned forward conspiratorially. "Each man selects his weapon of choice, but it must be spectacular enough to show these women we’ve claimed them completely."

After finishing our coffee, we headed to the twenty-four-hour florist operating under family protection. The shop owner pulled up various elegant arrangements on her tablet, but Xavier’s attention wandered to a colossal display commanding the corner.

"Gentlemen, witness perfection itself!" Xavier announced, gesturing dramatically at the massive creation.

The arrangement towered before us, a breathtaking collection of pink blooms nested in an enormous crystal vase. The thing measured three feet across, absolutely magnificent in scale.

The florist cleared her throat diplomatically. "That particular arrangement is designed for Don weddings, sir."

Xavier’s grin widened dangerously. "Even more appropriate! These women will understand our intentions when they witness something this commanding."

I shook my head. "Xavier, that monument could dominate an entire safe house. Don’t you think it’s excessive?"

"Excessive like our devotion to them!" Xavier practically vibrated with enthusiasm. "Total dominance or nothing, my brothers!"

Something about his ruthless romanticism infected us all, and before I knew it, we were nodding agreement to his audacious strategy.

Caleb surrendered first. "Fine, that’s our template. Mine will be red and white tulips in that exact configuration."

The decision felt surreal, but I found myself caught up in the madness. "Long-stemmed Colombian roses for me, in the deepest crimson available."

Xavier scoffed playfully. "Blood-red roses, Dominic? Could you be more predictable? That’s intimidation tactics one-oh-one right there."

I clapped him on the shoulder with dark amusement. "My friend, everything about claiming this woman follows the classic conquest playbook, and I make no apologies."

Grabbing one of the small cards, I wrote my message carefully: "I envy everyone who gets to see you daily." The shop owner accepted it with barely concealed nervousness at our group dynamics.

"If traditional intimidation works for you, then pink peonies are calling my name," Xavier declared, completely obsessed with his Ruby.

Jude stepped forward decisively. "Purple hyacinths will serve my purposes."

Finn surprised us all with his sophisticated choice. "Pink alstroemerias paired with lisianthus, please."

We stared at him like he’d just decoded enemy intelligence. The exotic flower names rolled off his tongue effortlessly.

"Alstroemerias and what now?" we chorused in confusion.

Finn shrugged casually. "They’re Zoe’s absolute favorites. Essential reconnaissance, gentlemen."

I groaned dramatically. "Show-off! I’m memorizing those names for future operations when I inevitably miscalculate with my complicated target."

The florist promised delivery by morning, and I headed straight to our headquarters afterward. Arriving early gave me time to reorganize my afternoon surveillance schedule, specifically carving out time for coffee with Gemma. I also sent an encrypted message to my nephew, arranging for him to join us since he’d been instrumental in my romantic intelligence gathering.

When Zoe walked into the command center and discovered me calmly reviewing territory reports, her jaw dropped.

"Well, well, Dominic. Color me impressed!" She applauded slowly. "I didn’t expect domesticating you would be this straightforward."

"Don’t get cocky, Zo!" I laughed, feeling surprisingly satisfied with the morning. "And keep your hands off my operational schedule. I’m meeting my target for coffee this afternoon."

"Oh really?" Zoe settled into the chair across from me, predatory curiosity sparkling in her eyes. "How are things developing with your acquisition?"

"Stop pretending you don’t already monitor every detail," I replied knowingly.

"You’re missing the point, slowpoke," she complained with exaggerated patience. "I want to know if you’re as pathetically whipped as Xavier is with Ruby."

I groaned at the reminder. "Don’t mention Xavier’s lapdog behavior. A Consigliere acting like that is painful to witness."

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