Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask novel Chapter 423

423 Chapter 19 Heart Over Heritage

423 Chapter 19 Heart Over Heritage

Daniel’s POV 1

Nothing could dampen my spirits today. Last night with my little one had been absolute perfection. What an extraordinary woman! Every curve of her body, every so moan that escaped her lips, every gentle touch-she astounded me in ways I never thought possible, especially for someone raised in the sterile world of mafia politics.

Despite our intimate connection, she remained endearingly shy about certain aspects of our relationship. This morning, when she spotted the evidence of her virginity on the sheets, her face flushed crimson, as though all her blood had rushed to her cheeks at once. It wasn’t until I pulled her onto my lap, covering her with tender kisses and whispering how honored I felt to be her first, that she finally relaxed. And I meant every word-if I had my way, I would be her only. She was a precious jewel I had no intention of sharing with anyone else, especially not with the vultures circling the Sullivan family fortune.

On my drive to the precinct, I made a detour to an exclusive florist that specialized in discreet deliveries for high-profile clients and arranged for a beautiful bouquet to be sent to her. I needed her to understand how special she was, how extraordinary our night together had been.

I arrived at work with an uncontrollable grin plastered across my face, cheerfully greeting everything in sight, including the bulletproof doors. Adler immediately picked up on my elevated mood and made his way to my office, closing the door behind him- a habit we’d developed for sensitive conversations in our line of work.

“Looks like someone had a restful night,” he remarked, settling into the reinforced chair across from my desk.

“If I’m being honest, Chief, rest was the last thing on my mind,” I replied, my smile widening impossibly further.

“And that’s the reason behind this unusual cheerfulness? Because normally after dealing with organized crime cases, you look like you want to punch someone.

“I’m smiling because of my little one-she’s absolutely spectacular! The most beautiful, most incredible, most adorable woman in the entire underworld.”

“Well, well, my young colleague has fallen head over heels! And here I thought

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-Martinez family men only married for territorial expansion.”

“Chief, I think it goes beyond that. This woman has completely transformed my existence. She makes me want to be better than the legacy inherited.”

“That’s fantastic news! Just remember to keep your personal life separate from our operations. The last thing we need is the Martinez name complicating our cases.”

“It truly is. But we should focus on work now-I’m hoping to leave early today, plus I have that federal courthouse hearing to attend regarding the Thorne family’s recent complications.”

Shortly afterward, my encrypted phone lit up with a message from her, expressing gratitude for the flowers and confirming that our night together had been just as meaningful for her. That validation filled me with joy. I was relieved to know I’d handled her first time with the care and tenderness it deserved, considering the bru world she’d grown up navigating in the Sullivan household.

The day progressed rapidly; the demanding caseload involving money laundering operations and territorial disputes kept me thoroughly occupied. Still, I couldn’t stop thinking about her, eagerly anticipating the moment I could lose myself in her embrac again, away from the cold calculations of family politics.

But as the saying goes, all good things must face interruption-my secure line rang.

and

my mother’s name flashed on the screen. The Martinez family network had already discovered my relocation to the high-security apartment building, so I took a deep breath, preparing myself for Mrs. Martinez’s theatrical performance.

“Mom, how are you?” I answered with deliberate calmness, fully aware that my tranquility was about to be shattered.

“Ungrateful son,” she sniffled dramatically. “How dare you move away from the family compound without even informing the inner circle?”

“Mom, I left a coded message with our usual intermediary explaining that I didn’t have time for proper farewells. Everything happened incredibly fast with the Thorne situation.”

“Is that really the case, Daniel? Or were you simply running away from your responsibilities to the Martinez operations?” Her voice quivered with fabricated tears. but I recognized her manipulative tactics, designed to make me crawl back with guilt.

“Mom, it was time for me to establish my own territory. An opportunity arose in law

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-enforcement that I simply couldn’t pass up.”

“Son, why do you insist on pursuing this profession that keeps me awake with worry You don’t need this badge, Daniel-our family enterprises are thriving. The legitimat

businesses need oversight.”

“Mom, this is my chosen path. We’ve discussed this repeatedly, and you promised to respect my decision to work within the system rather than outside it. Besides, I’m a grown man.”

“But son, I’m terrified knowing you could be targeted by rival families at any moment

“Mom, let me point something out-anyone in our circle could be eliminated at any moment. In fact, you’re more likely to be targeted attending those charity galas wher half the attendees have contracts on each other than I am as a detective.”

“Don’t you care about my feelings, Daniel? Don’t you see how this hurts the family’s reputation?”

“Mom, you’re my mother-of course I care about you. But my career choice serves ou interests in ways you don’t understand. I’m not a child needing supervision anymore. You raised me well, so well that I can make strategic decisions. Now continue being a good mother and trust those decisions.”

“So you won’t return to the compound?” The tearful act vanished, replaced by the firm tone of the proud matriarch I knew her to/be.

“Not to live there under family oversight, no.”

“Your father won’t be pleased about this. He had plans for you in the legitimate

businesses.”

“He’ll hear exactly what I’ve told you. It’s my life, my strategic position. Either respect that or step back from my operations.”

“He’ll be calling you.”

“I expect he will,” I sighed, already exhausted by the conversation. “Mom, I need to go.

We’ll talk later.”

She hung up without a farewell-typical behavior for someone trained in the old-school power dynamics. She and my father were perfectly matched in their proud, calculating, even ruthless demeanor-and their shared passion for controlling their children’s alliances.

10:28.

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-Shortly after, my phone rang again. Seeing the caller ID, I smiled genuinely.

“Sybilla, please don’t tell me you’re calling to complain about my strategic withdrawal?” I joked, knowing my sister would never fall for family manipulation.

“Little brother, you should know me better by now. I’m calling to congratulate you a warn you not to fall for Mom’s emotional warfare. You know how she operates in negotiations.”

“Were you monitoring the family communications again, Sybilla?”

“Absolutely!” She laughed heartily. “So, when do I get clearance to visit your new

fortress?”

“Whenever you want, sis. You’re always welcome in my territory.”

“I’ll come once our parents finish their damage control meetings. Dad’s furious and planning to make you return to oversee the port operations.”

“I figured as much, but he won’t succeed. How are you holding up under the increase scrutiny?”

“Terribly! Now that the problematic heir has established independence, they have all the time in the world to focus on my marriage prospects. Mom has suddenly decided need a strategic alliance. Can you believe that?”

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