Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask

Chapter 161: Chapter 161 Into the Trap

Ivy’s POV

I stood beside my mother when Xavier burst through the hospital room doors, his usually composed face etched with the kind of dread that made my blood freeze. As the Thorne family’s consigliere recounted every chilling detail of that psychotic woman Yara’s phone call, each word struck me like bullets from a rival family’s gun. The more he revealed about her twisted demands and threats, the harder the tears flowed down my cheeks. After Xavier departed to coordinate the family’s response, Mrs. Martinez pulled my mother into the corridor, explaining in hushed tones exactly who Yara Rossi was in the underworld hierarchy, while Ruby filled in the horrifying gaps about the Rossi family’s reputation for brutality. My mind struggled to process this nightmare consuming our world.

The sharp buzz of my encrypted phone shattered the tense atmosphere. I snatched it immediately, recognizing Caleb’s voice though something in his tone made my skin crawl with foreboding.

”Keep quiet. If any of Caleb’s soldiers are around you, get away from them now. Call me back only when you’re completely alone.”

I lowered the phone, my hands trembling as I backed toward the door. His words felt like a death sentence pressing against my chest.

”Ivy, where are you going?” Zoe’s worried voice stopped me at the threshold.

”I need to see Caleb,” I managed, forcing the lie past my constricted throat. ”I want some time with him.”

I fled the room before she could press for details.

In the empty corridor between the elevators and the family meeting room, I raised the phone again with shaking fingers.

”Where is Caleb?”

”Easy there, sweetheart.” The endearment that once seemed genuine now dripped with malice worthy of any capo. ”Your boy is still breathing, but since your mafia king refuses to be reasonable, you’re going to follow my instructions exactly. No conversations with Caleb’s crew, no heroics, and maybe you’ll see your child again.”

The betrayal hit me like a sledgehammer to the gut. This man I had trusted with family secrets, shared meals with, confided in about the dangers of mafia life. How could I have been so blind to a snake in our midst?

”First, you’re leaving this hospital. Head to that little Italian place from yesterday and wait. Keep this line open and don’t breathe a word to anyone in the Thorne organization.”

The reception area crawled with armed family members who would certainly notice the don’s woman leaving unescorted. Instead, I headed for the corridor’s end, my heart hammering as I pushed through the emergency exit into the stairwell. My footsteps echoed ominously as I descended several floors, finally reaching a nearly deserted medical wing.

The elevator felt like a coffin carrying me to my execution. When it finally arrived, I pressed myself against the wall as if I could disappear entirely. Each floor that passed brought me closer to whatever hell awaited outside these walls.

The street felt surreal, like walking through someone else’s nightmare. A few blocks stretched endlessly before me, each step a betrayal of everyone in Caleb’s family who would die protecting me, but what choice did I have? Max’s innocent face filled my mind, driving me forward through this urban wasteland.

I had barely reached the Italian bistro when a black sedan with tinted windows materialized at the curb like something from a funeral procession. The window slid down, revealing Caleb’s smile, but now I saw it for what it truly was—predatory and cold as any rival family assassin.

”Get in, sweetheart.”

The moment I settled into the leather seat, a sickly sweet chemical smell invaded my nostrils. The world tilted sideways, darkness swallowing everything like the grave.

Consciousness returned slowly, accompanied by the acrid taste of whatever drug he had used to subdue me. I found myself in what could only be described as a concrete tomb straight out of a mob execution site. Brick blocked most of the single window, leaving just a narrow gap that mocked any hope of escape. The mattress beneath me reeked of mildew and worse substances I didn’t want to identify.

Unfinished concrete walls surrounded me, rough and cold as any family dungeon. A single bare bulb dangled from exposed wiring, casting harsh shadows that made the space feel even more claustrophobic. The cement floor bore stains that told stories I refused to examine too closely. Near the reinforced door sat a solitary metal chair, the room’s only other furniture.

I tested the door knowing full well what I would find. Locked tight, naturally, with a small reinforced window that could only be opened from the outside. I was caged like an enemy waiting for family justice.

Stupid, stupid, stupid. I had walked directly into his trap, so desperate to save my son that I had ignored every survival instinct the mafia world had taught me. The phone call should have been my first warning, but maternal panic had overridden years of street wisdom.

The door opened with a metallic screech that made me flinch. Caleb entered carrying a paper bag, his casual demeanor somehow more terrifying than outright violence would have been.

”There’s my sleeping beauty. Brought you dinner like a gentleman.”

”Where is Max?” I demanded, refusing to let him see how my legs shook beneath me. ”I did exactly what you ordered.”

”Oh, darling, this is just the opening move.” He settled into the chair like a capo holding court. ”You need to eat something. You look ready to collapse, and that won’t serve my purposes.”

”Answer me, Caleb. Why betray Caleb’s family?”

His laugh held no warmth, cold as any made man discussing business. ”The three pillars that rule our world, sweetheart. Love, money, and power. Money drives most of my decisions, but if I get to enjoy your company along the way, well, that’s just a delicious bonus.” The way his eyes traveled over me made my skin crawl with revulsion.

”Don’t you dare touch me.”

”I’m trying to maintain some class here, but my self-control has limits. Lucky for you, I have business calls to handle with certain interested parties first.”

”Please, just give me back my son.”

”I told you, he’s with our mutual psychotic friend from the Rossi family. The kid’s still breathing, still in one piece, so stop your worrying.” He stood, placing the bag on the chair with theatrical care. ”Eat up. And save your voice for more important conversations, we’re miles from anyone who might hear you scream.”

He left me alone with my terror and a greasy sandwich that might or might not contain something more than food. I stumbled to the window, peering through the narrow gap to see nothing but tall grass swaying in wind I couldn’t feel. The isolation was absolute, perfect for mafia business.

I examined the food carefully, looking for any obvious tampering. Finding none, I forced myself to take a bite. If I was going to survive this ordeal and protect Max, I needed strength, and if Caleb wanted me dead, he wouldn’t need poison to accomplish it in this concrete tomb.