Second Marriage, The Billionaire's Planned Love novel Chapter 136

136 Chapter 136 Venom in Veins

136 Chapter 136 Venom in Veins

Caleb’s POV

The Manhattan skyline stretched endlessly as our private jet touched down at Teterboro. The city pulsed with the same energy that flowed through our veins, and I felt the familiar rush that came with expanding our territory into new markets. Our first meeting with the clients went smoothly. Their leader laid out his proposal for a joint venture in their legitimate casino operations while we presented our terms for protection and money laundering services. We scheduled a private dinner at his country club for the following evening, and Jude promised to coordinate with Ivy for any additional financial documentation we might need.

That evening, we decided to unwind at an exclusive speakeasy in Brooklyn that catered to our kind of clientele. The bourbon was aged to perfection, the conversation flowed like blood through our territory, and for some time, I felt the tension ease from my shoulders. Then I felt slender fingers trail across my back, followed by a voice that sent ice through my veins.

“You look even more dangerous than I remembered.”

I turned around slowly, already recognizing the sultry tone that belonged to a ghost from my past. Veronica stood there looking absolutely stunning. Her jet–black hair was styled in a sophisticated bob that framed her face perfectly. She was taller, more polished, and her figure had clearly been enhanced since our university days before I inherited the family business.

“Veronica. What an unwelcome surprise.” I leaned in to give her a cold kiss on the cheek. “It’s been a while. Still playing with fire, I see.”

“Always, darling. Though I have to admit, seeing the infamous Don Thorne here is the most thrilling part of my evening.” Her smile was predatory. “What brings the king of the underworld to my neighborhood?”

“Business expansion. What about you? Last I heard, you were slumming it with that pretentious artist in Florence.”

“That pathetic wannabe couldn’t keep his hands off his female models, so I cut my losses and returned. Manhattan suits a woman of my ambitions much better than going back to our boring hometown anyway.”

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“I see. You remember Jude and Xavier, of course. My most trusted lieutenants now.” “Well, well. If it isn’t the viper herself,” Xavier’s voice dripped with barely concealed hatred. Jude simply glared and took a long drink from his whiskey.

“How could I forget such charming gentlemen?” Veronica’s sarcasm cut like a blade. Veronica had been my girlfriend during our final year at university, before my father’s death thrust me into the family business. Xavier had despised her from day one, claiming she was poison wrapped in designer clothes. Some time before my parents were murdered, Xavier and Jude discovered she was sleeping with half the campus, including some Italian sculptor who was in town for an exhibition. They orchestrated a way for me to catch her in the act, and I ended things in a spectacular confrontation that became campus legend.

“Mind if I join you boys for a drink?” Without waiting for an answer, Veronica pulled up a chair and settled in like she owned the establishment.

“Are you out of your goddamn mind?” Jude’s patience was wearing dangerously thin. He had even more reason to hate her than Xavier did. After her infidelity was exposed, she’d tried to sabotage his relationship with Nora out of pure spite.

Despite my men’s obvious hostility, I found myself drawn into Veronica’s web as the evening progressed. She was sharp, engaging, and undeniably attractive. Xavier and Jude were practically burning holes through her with their death stares.

“Shouldn’t you two be heading back to check the perimeter? It’s getting late for foot soldiers.” Veronica taunted them with a wicked smile.

“Oh, are we cramping your style?” Xavier shot back with venom.

“Last I checked, we were here first, sweetheart,” Jude added with ice in his voice.

“Since these two clearly can’t take a hint, why don’t we continue this reunion somewhere more private? My penthouse isn’t far from here.” Veronica’s invitation was loaded with dangerous temptation.

“That sounds perfect.” The words left my mouth before my survival instincts could intervene. One night of distraction wouldn’t destroy everything I’d built.

“Caleb, just a friendly reminder that we have that crucial meeting with the clients tomorrow evening. Ivy already sent over the financial projections we need to review,” Jude emphasized Ivy’s name deliberately, a warning wrapped in professional courtesy.

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“Relax, Jude. The family business won’t collapse overnight.” I waved off his concern dismissively. “Come on, Veronica.”

We left the speakeasy together, and I spent the night at her penthouse. When I woke up, we were both naked, her body pressed against mine, and my phone was buzzing incessantly from somewhere across the room.

I stumbled over to find it and answered without checking the caller ID.

“Have you lost your goddamn mind, Caleb? Do you have any idea what time it is? I’ve been making excuses to the clients for a while now!” Xavier’s voice was pure fury mixed with panic.

“Give me some time and I’ll be there.” My head was pounding, and the reality of my stupidity was crashing down like a building collapse.

“Don’t you dare show your face at this negotiation. I already told them you came down with food poisoning from bad shellfish. Get back to the hotel, lock yourself in your room, and stay there until I decide what to do with you!” The line went dead.

Veronica was one of the few people on earth who could push Xavier to this level of murderous rage. He’d always said she turned me into a reckless fool, and once again, he was absolutely right. But I wasn’t some college kid anymore. I got dressed quickly, leaving only a brief note apologizing for my abrupt departure.

When Xavier and Jude stormed into my hotel suite later, I was showered, dressed, and trying to salvage what remained of my reputation. They were both livid, and I had no choice but to sit there and take whatever punishment they deemed appropriate. “What the hell is wrong with you, Caleb?” Xavier was pacing like a caged predator, his hands gesturing wildly with barely contained violence.

“It won’t happen again, Xavier. You have my word.”

“It better not, because as my grandmother always said, lie down with snakes and you wake up with venom in your veins!”

His rage was radiating off him in dangerous waves.

“If Ivy discovers what happened, or if any of our women find out about this disaster, you’ll lose her forever. I guarantee it,” Jude warned, his voice carrying the weight of absolute certainty.

“I know. I don’t know what possessed me. I just wanted one night to forget the weight

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136 Chapter 136 Venom in Veins

of everything.”

“Really? Like that night at the underground auction when you paid for that masked dancer? Or the night you may or may not have been with Rossi’s daughter? Oh right, you conveniently don’t remember that one either!” Xavier’s sarcasm cut through my defenses.

The weight of my destructive pattern hit me like a freight train. I claimed to love Ivy, but I kept sabotaging everything we were building together.

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