Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask

Chapter 109: Chapter 109 The Baby Bombshell

Ivy’s POV

The past weeks had passed like a fever dream I never wanted to break from. My return to Thorne Group had been seamless, with financial auditing keeping me busy and fulfilled in ways I had never imagined. Caleb and I had settled into a dangerous rhythm that made my pulse race every morning when I woke up beside him. True to his word, he had claimed me on that polished mahogany desk of his more times than I could count, pressed me against the floor-to-ceiling windows of his executive office while the city sprawled beneath us like his personal kingdom, and made me forget my own name on that leather couch where we first crossed the line from business to something infinitely more perilous.

Most nights found us tangled together in my modest apartment, and weekends were spent at his penthouse fortress where Max would join us for elaborate breakfasts and movie marathons. The domesticity of it all should have terrified me given the violence that surrounded Caleb’s world, but instead it felt like coming home to a life I never dared imagine for myself.

My happiness felt almost too dangerous to be real. Caleb treated Max like the son he never had, my friends had embraced our relationship despite their initial terror of the Thorne name, and professionally I was exactly where I had always dreamed of being. Even Yara Rossi’s persistent attempts to corner me around the Thorne Group offices had been thwarted by Caleb’s watchful security presence.

Evening found us walking toward the private executive garage, both exhausted from another demanding week managing the family’s legitimate operations but already planning our evening. Chinese takeout, animated movies with Max, and probably falling asleep on my couch while Caleb’s fingers traced lazy patterns on my skin.

”I’m thinking we skip the fortune cookies tonight,” Caleb murmured against my ear as we approached his armored Mercedes, his hand warm and possessive on the small of my back. ”I already know my future.”

The intimate promise in his voice sent heat spiraling through me, but before I could respond, a sickeningly familiar voice cut through the underground quiet like nails on glass.

”Well, well, if it isn’t my future husband with his little office pet.”

Yara stepped out from behind a concrete pillar like some designer-clad predator, her smile sharp enough to draw blood. My stomach dropped to my feet as Caleb immediately moved to shield me with his body, his hand instinctively moving toward the concealed weapon at his hip.

”What the hell are you doing here, you deranged woman? How did you even get past building security?” Caleb’s voice carried a dangerous edge that made me shiver.

”Oh, darling, is that any way to speak to your future bride?” Her voice dripped false sweetness that made my skin crawl. ”Daddy’s the underboss, remember? I simply borrowed his executive access card. Amazing how easily I can get to you when I really want to.”

The casual way she invaded his space, his territory, our sanctuary, made rage build in my chest like a living thing.

”You’re completely unhinged,” Caleb snarled, his hand reaching back to keep me close. ”Stay away from my woman, Yara. I’m warning you.”

”Your woman?” Yara’s laugh was like breaking glass. ”Oh, honey, I don’t think she’ll be holding that title much longer.”

Something cold and premonitory settled in my stomach. This wasn’t just another one of her dramatic scenes. There was triumph in her eyes, a certainty that made my blood turn to ice.

”Get the hell out of here right now,” Caleb commanded, pulling out his phone. ”Ivy, call Caleb. I want this lunatic removed from the premises immediately.”

My hands shook as I fumbled for my phone, but Yara’s next words stopped me cold.

”Oh, sweetheart, you really shouldn’t treat the mother of your heir so harshly.”

The parking garage fell silent except for the distant hum of fluorescent lights. Caleb went completely still beside me.

”You’re out of your goddamn mind,” he said slowly, each word precise and deadly. ”I would never, ever have a child with you.”

”Funny thing about that night you were so drunk you could barely stand after the family meeting,” Yara purred, producing a folded paper from her designer purse with theatrical flair. ”Turns out our little encounter was more productive than either of us realized. Congratulations, Don Thorne. You’re going to be a father.”

She held out what looked like a medical document, her smile victorious and cruel. ”I’m pregnant, Caleb. With the next Thorne heir.”

The world tilted sideways. Caleb’s sharp intake of breath seemed to come from very far away, and suddenly I couldn’t feel my legs. The parking garage became a tunnel of echoing voices and shifting shadows as my vision blurred at the edges.

Strong arms caught me before I hit the concrete, lifting me against a familiar chest. I heard Caleb’s voice, tight with panic, calling my name, but it sounded like he was underwater. Everything became fragments after that - the elevator’s metallic hum, fluorescent office lights, the soft leather of Caleb’s executive couch.

When awareness finally returned, I was back in his office with Jude sitting beside me, pressing a warm cup into my trembling hands.

”Drink this, Ivy. It’ll help,” Jude said gently, his usual humor replaced by genuine concern.

”What happened? Where’s Caleb?” The words came out broken, punctuated by tears I couldn’t seem to stop. ”Jude, what’s happening to me?”

”Caleb’s handling the situation. He’ll be back soon,” Jude assured me, rubbing soothing circles on my back. ”Just breathe, sweetheart. Everything’s going to be okay.”

The tea was chamomile and honey, but it tasted like ash in my mouth. Gemma burst through the office doors, her face pale with worry.

”I called Lexi and Kinsley. They’re on their way,” she said, immediately coming to my other side. ”Jesus, Ivy, you’re ice cold.”

I couldn’t stop shaking. The tea cup rattled against my teeth as I tried to drink, but the tears kept coming in waves that left me gasping. Then Caleb exploded back into the room like a man possessed, dropping to his knees in front of me and taking my face in his hands.

”Tesoro, look at me. Are you alright?” His eyes were wild with fear and something else I couldn’t identify.

”Caleb, what she said...” I couldn’t finish the sentence. The words stuck in my throat like broken glass.

”Give us a minute,” Caleb said tersely to Jude and Gemma, never taking his eyes off me. Once we were alone, he gripped my hands like a lifeline. ”Listen to me, Ivy. Whatever she claims, it changes nothing between us. Caleb’s taking her to get tested at a lab I trust. We’ll have results soon, and I guarantee you she’s lying.”

”But what if she’s not?” The question tore out of me like a physical wound. ”Caleb, if she’s pregnant with your child, everything changes. You know it does.”

His jaw clenched, a muscle ticking beneath the surface. ”If she’s pregnant. If the child is mine. Then yes, I’ll take responsibility for the child. But not for her, Ivy. She won’t trap me into a family alliance because of a pregnancy.”

I searched his face, seeing fear behind the determination. This was his deepest desire - to be a father. And despite everything, Caleb was fundamentally a man who would never abandon his responsibilities to the family.

”You say that now,” I whispered, touching his cheek with trembling fingers. ”But we both know it’s not that simple.”