Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask

Chapter 225: Chapter 9 Second Chance Discovery

Dominic’s POV

Friday evening arrived with blessed relief when Zoe finally released me from my operational duties early.

”Seriously? You’re cutting me loose early again?” I couldn’t hide my amazement as I watched her pack up the surveillance equipment from our command center.

”Don’t get too excited. I could easily bury you under a mountain of territory reports, but I have plans tonight. This week has been absolutely draining, and frankly, you’ve been a complete nightmare to manage since you started that reckless street war with the rival gang.”

”Please, no extra assignments. I’m running on fumes here. But I owe you something important.”

Zoe’s eyebrows shot up as she settled back into her chair, wearing that predatory smile I’d grown to recognize. ”Oh, this should be interesting.”

”I might hate myself for admitting this, but you saved my operation this week. I was letting everything slide, making reckless decisions with our family’s territory. You forced me to get my act together. So thank you.”

”I knew you’d see it my way eventually!” Her triumphant grin spread across her face. ”For that rare moment of honesty, I’m granting you weekend freedom. But if you drag yourself in here Monday morning reeking of alcohol and regret, you’ll wish you’d never been born.”

”Scout’s honor, I’ll behave myself.” I threw up my hand in mock solemnity.

After Zoe swept out of our headquarters like a conquering general, I grabbed my phone and dialed Xavier. Time to blow off some steam at the Social Union.

”Tell me Caleb is completely gone over Ivy,” I said, sliding into the booth across from my best friend at our usual underground casino.

”The man’s absolutely whipped. And she’s just as bad for him.” Xavier’s eyes lit up with gossip.

”Give me details. I need entertainment.”

”Caught them practically devouring each other in his private office this afternoon. Multiple times recently.” Xavier leaned forward conspiratorially.

The conversation flowed as easily as the drinks. Seeing Caleb finally fall for someone who wasn’t a complete disaster felt like witnessing a miracle. I filled Xavier in on Zoe’s iron-fisted management style and how she’d been systematically dismantling my bad habits in running our money laundering operations.

”Honestly, Dominic, you needed someone exactly like Zoe to snap you out of whatever spiral you were in. You were starting to mirror your father’s worst impulses when he was still with the family.” Xavier’s words hit harder because they rang true.

”Yeah, I was acting like a complete--” My confession died mid-sentence as I spotted trouble walking through the entrance. ”Xavier, we need to evacuate immediately. The unholy trinity just arrived, and I cannot handle Beatrix’s drama tonight.”

”God, not those three again. Yara’s performance at Thorne Enterprises this week was enough psychological warfare for a lifetime. Caleb actually banned her from all family properties.” Xavier was already reaching for his wallet.

”Wait, he actually banned her?” The idea delighted me more than it should have. ”Maybe I should apply for a transfer to Caleb’s inner circle. Sounds like you guys know how to handle troublemakers.”

”Let’s get out of here before they spot us, and I’ll give you the full story.”

We bolted for the exit, but not before hearing the women calling our names across the casino floor. Once we hit the parking lot, Xavier suggested hitting a different establishment since it was Friday night and we deserved some mindless fun.

The underground club provided exactly the distraction I needed. Between drinks, stories about family politics, and watching Xavier make questionable decisions, I didn’t check the time until very late. I stumbled home to my secured apartment and collapsed into bed, dead to the world.

The shrill ring of my phone dragged me back to consciousness. Without opening my eyes, I fumbled for the device.

”Zoe, I swear I’m not hungover...” I mumbled, forgetting it was Saturday and assuming my taskmaster handler was calling to torture me.

”Who the hell is Zoe, Uncle Dominic?” My nephew Vincenzo’s voice cut through my fog.

”Isaac, Vincenzo, what kind of hour is this to be making phone calls?” I groaned into the pillow.

”Uncle, it’s mid-afternoon. Now tell me about this Zoe person.” The kid’s persistence rivaled his mother’s.

”She’s my new intelligence liaison,” I managed, still refusing to open my eyes.

”Is she attractive?”

Vincenzo was a teenager drowning in teenage hormones while my sister continued treating him like he was still in elementary school. By default, I’d become his unofficial guide to understanding women, much to my sister’s horror. It was a delicate balance between educating the kid and avoiding my sister’s wrath.

”She’s gorgeous and more terrifying than your mother. Drop by the offices next week if you want to meet your match.” I finally sat up, accepting defeat.

”Definitely will. But Uncle Dominic, can we meet at the mall today? I need advice about something important.”

”The mall? You know I’d rather have root canal surgery than spend time in that teenage wasteland.”

”Come on, Uncle Dominic! I’m not going to your boring old man hangouts or sitting in your heavily guarded house.”

”Keep calling me old, kid, and I’ll let your mother keep you wrapped in bubble wrap forever. See how you like that level of protection.”

”Don’t be cruel! Please just meet me at the mall.”

Later that afternoon, I found myself navigating the Saturday afternoon chaos of suburban retail hell, my concealed weapon making me paranoid about security cameras. Heading toward the food court, I passed a women’s clothing boutique and stopped dead in my tracks.

There she was. The stunning woman from the religious store who’d been haunting my thoughts since our encounter in my protection territory. She was helping an elderly customer select dresses, her movements graceful and professional. So she worked here. Fate had just handed me a second chance I’d thought was lost forever.

I couldn’t interrupt while she was with a customer, but now I knew where to find her. The possibilities suddenly made this mall trip worthwhile.

My nephew’s crisis turned out to be typical teenage anxiety about a girl he’d been casually seeing. She was older, which had him convinced he was out of his league and needed to rush into physical intimacy to keep her interested.

”Age doesn’t determine experience or expectations,” I explained. ”Treat her with respect, take your time, and don’t let anyone pressure you into anything you’re not ready for. Real connection can’t be rushed.”

”Want me to drive you home?” I asked as we prepared to part ways.

”Mom sent the armored car. She’s getting more paranoid every day about family security. I can’t wait to see what happens when Carmen starts dating.” He rolled his eyes, referring to his younger sister.

”When that time comes, she might ease up on you. Mothers in our world worry differently about daughters,” I offered, hoping to give him some perspective on our dangerous lifestyle.

After Vincenzo left, I decided to follow through on my mother’s advice. I returned to the religious goods store and offered a sincere apology to the saleswoman, who seemed genuinely surprised by the gesture. While there, I browsed until I found the perfect small gift, leaving with a plan forming in my mind.

I circled back to the clothing boutique, but my mystery woman had already left for the day. The store was closing, and she was nowhere to be seen. No matter. Now I knew where to find her, and next time, I’d be ready.