Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask (by Silver Spoon) novel Chapter 97

Chapter 97: Chapter 97 Defending His Family

Ivy’s POV

I slipped into the armored SUV before Caleb could assist me, my nerves still rattled from the confrontation at the house.

"Something troubling you, tesoro?" Caleb’s voice carried that dangerous edge he reserved for threats against our family as Finn pulled away from the estate grounds.

"My aunt decided to make a power play. I’ll explain everything later. Right now I just want to put it behind us. Good morning, you two." I forced what I hoped resembled a genuine smile.

Max chattered endlessly during the drive, even bragging about how he stuck his tongue out at the "scary woman," which had us all laughing despite the tension still coursing through my veins.

The Miller family compound welcomed us with the kind of warmth only old allies could provide. Zoe’s parents showered Max with attention while dropping not-so-subtle hints about expanding the next generation, making Zoe roll her eyes and redirect the conversation toward safer topics.

After lunch, Mr. Miller whisked Caleb and Finn away to his private study for what I knew would be territory negotiations and arms deal discussions. Meanwhile, Zoe and I found ourselves doing exactly what we’d done at my family’s safe house, updating her mother on every detail of our Port Serenity operations.

When departure time arrived, Zoe had her tactical gear packed since we were taking the family jet for an evening departure. Our agenda included treating Max to gelato at his favorite establishment, collecting my belongings from the penthouse, a brief stop at Finn’s weapons cache, then heading directly to the private airstrip.

"Godmommy, ice cream?" Max announced, pointing toward the upscale parlor as we emerged from the bulletproof vehicle.

"Absolutely, sweetheart. Gelato time it is." Zoe responded, and he erupted in delighted clapping.

Finn positioned his arm protectively around Zoe’s shoulders while she carried my son, and Caleb’s fingers interlaced with mine in that possessive way that marked me as his territory. We secured a table on the outdoor terrace, and the moment we settled in, Tiffany’s shrill voice sliced through the afternoon air behind me.

"Look what we have here. The little whore who spread her legs and can’t even name the sperm donor. And there’s her bastard spawn too."

"Don’t you ever speak about my woman or my son that way again." Caleb rose to his feet with the lethal grace of a predator, every muscle in his powerful frame radiating barely controlled violence.

Spinning around, I found my cousin Tiffany standing there with her mouth agape and eyes bulging, flanked by two women I recognized as her usual entourage of wannabe mob wives.

"You’re actually involved with this slut? Well, you should know she’s still throwing herself at my husband. Just yesterday she was practically begging him to take her back, said she’d even settle for being his side piece."

"Obviously you have no clue what kind of trash Ivy really is, handsome, but I can give you all the sordid details." One of Tiffany’s companions slithered up to Caleb, placing her manicured hand on his arm with a predatory smile.

"Remove your hand from me immediately." Caleb’s voice dropped to that deadly whisper that preceded bloodshed. His gaze shifted to my cousin, and he unleashed the full force of his reputation. "I’m assuming you’re the backstabbing cousin who betrayed Ivy in her own bed. Sounds like you’re the actual whore in this situation. And clearly these pathetic hangers-on are cut from the same diseased cloth. But here’s what really happened - your husband cornered my woman at the market yesterday. Don’t believe me? Go ask the shopkeeper who called my security detail."

"Who the hell do you think you are, talking to my wife like that?" As if this nightmare couldn’t deteriorate further, Brodie materialized looking for a fight and reeking of cheap whiskey.

Caleb’s laugh contained nothing but contempt and the promise of retribution.

"You two are absolutely perfect for each other." Caleb’s eyes swept over them with the dismissive arrogance of a don addressing street trash. "But since you asked, I’m Ivy’s man and her future husband. Now I suggest you disappear before you make this significantly more unpleasant."

"Wait, so he’s the bastard’s real father." Brodie’s voice grew more aggressive as the pieces clicked into place. "You claimed you had no idea who knocked you up, Ivy. Now you show up with this pretty boy who’s practically the kid’s twin."

"Stop calling my son a bastard." Caleb’s voice turned deadly quiet, which somehow made it infinitely more terrifying. "Don’t you dare address my family again. Don’t even look in Ivy’s or my son’s direction ever again."

"So you really are his father?" Tiffany’s voice cracked with disbelief and something that sounded dangerously close to hysteria.

"Obviously he is. Just look at them, the kid’s his carbon copy." Brodie stated with drunken certainty.

Words completely abandoned me as this situation spiraled into absolute chaos. Zoe’s face radiated pure murderous intent. Finn had wisely escorted Max inside the establishment to shield him from this mess. My chest constricted as panic set in, while Caleb looked ready to paint the sidewalk with blood.

Once we were seated and Caleb handed me a glass of sparkling water, I took several deep breaths to steady myself. I looked at Caleb curiously. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

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