Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask

Chapter 437: Chapter 33 Birthday Gifts Unveiled

Lila’s POV

I practically floated into Thorne Group’s headquarters that morning, radiating happiness despite the dangerous world that surrounded our operations. My inspector had given me the most incredible birthday celebration—breakfast in bed accompanied by tender affection, followed by passionate encounters that continued seamlessly into his private shower. Lost in these delicious memories of our secure penthouse sanctuary, I barely noticed when Daniel’s armored sedan pulled up to the corporate building that served as our family’s legitimate front.

”Where’s your mind wandering, little one?” Daniel asked, his lips curving into that devastating smile that could disarm both prosecutors and rival families alike.

”Just replaying this morning’s activities and wondering if there might be an encore tonight,” I admitted, knowing our conversations were safe from surveillance in his specially equipped vehicle.

His eyes darkened instantly with that predatory intensity that made him feared in both the precinct and the underworld. ”Do you honestly believe I wouldn’t make you moan and come apart beneath me all night long?” The bluntness of his words sent heat rushing to my cheeks. Even after all this time in his protected world, his uninhibited way of expressing such intimate thoughts still flustered me.

”Is that a guarantee, inspector?” I managed, summoning the courage that came from being under the protection of the Martinez name.

”Absolutely, my little one. I have several ideas for tonight that I think you’ll enjoy in our secure tower.”

”You’re feeling particularly inventive today,” I teased, enjoying this rare moment of lightness in our heavily guarded existence.

”That’s entirely your fault. That incredible way you pleasured me this morning, looking up at me with those mischievous eyes while taking all of me into that sweet mouth of yours.”

”Daniel...” I attempted to sound scolding, but secretly I was thrilled by how much he enjoyed my attentions. The way he responded drove me wild, and I had grown to love the intimacy of that particular act, especially knowing how much trust it represented in our dangerous world.

”Don’t even try to deny it, you sexy minx. It’s written all over your face how much you enjoy it.” He laughed knowingly, and I couldn’t argue. He could read me like classified intelligence files, interpreting my every thought just by studying my expressions. ”Now go handle those legal contracts, but be careful—you have promises to keep tonight.”

I reluctantly bid my inspector goodbye, wishing I could spend the entire day in our fortified penthouse instead of maintaining the legitimate business operations. But family responsibilities came first in our world. The workday began pleasantly with warm hugs and gifts from Xavier, Jude, and Caleb—all trusted associates who understood the delicate balance of keeping Thorne Group’s operations running smoothly.

At noon, Gemma and Ruby arrived to escort me to lunch with proper security protocols, where Ivy, Zoe, and Nora were already waiting at a restaurant owned by one of our allied families. My friends showered me with more hugs and presents, and for dessert, they’d arranged for a cake with candles. The entire establishment joined in singing ”Happy Birthday” to me, though I knew half the staff were likely armed and watching for threats. I felt overwhelmed with emotion; never before had my birthday been celebrated so wonderfully, especially with such careful protection.

”Tiny Cipher, tell us what Daniel has planned for tonight,” Nora inquired eagerly, using the code name that had stuck since my early days learning the family’s encryption systems.

”He’s taking me to dinner at one of the secured venues and gave me a gorgeous dress,” I answered, my mind already wandering to the promises he’d whispered in the car, though those details were staying private even among trusted friends.

”That inspector! He could have organized a gathering and invited all of us to the private dining room,” Zoe pouted, making me laugh at her feigned indignation. ”Well, since that’s how it is, make sure you wear the lingerie I gave you tonight. Your inspector won’t know what hit him.”

”Oh, Zoe! Only you would say that. But I do love the gift—you always know exactly what to get, even when shopping through our secure suppliers.”

”I’m telling you, Tiny Cipher, stick with me, and you’ll never go wrong in this business!” Zoe replied with a confident grin that reminded me she was far more than just a socialite—she was one of our most effective intelligence gatherers.

When I returned to Thorne Group’s legal department, three more gifts awaited on my secured desk. First was a stunning arrangement of pink lisianthus flowers in an elegant bulletproof glass vase from my inspector. The card expressed his wishes for a wonderful day and mentioned his anticipation for our evening together—a sentiment I definitely shared, knowing how rare such peaceful moments were in our world.

Next was a larger box with a card attached. It was from my older brother Beckett, the current head of the Sullivan family operations, and his wife Katarina, filled with warm birthday wishes and pride in the woman I was becoming within our organization. Inside was a luxury brand purse with hidden compartments and matching high heels—absolutely beautiful and perfectly functional for our lifestyle. Katarina’s taste was impeccable as always, combining elegance with the subtle security features our world demanded.

Since she began her strategic marriage to Beckett, consolidating two powerful family alliances, she’d made it a tradition to select thoughtful gifts for me and ensure my brother did the same. She believed that choosing presents carefully demonstrated how much you valued someone within the family hierarchy. In my childhood under Claire’s controlling influence, I’d had to hide these gifts, as my mother considered them frivolous displays of wealth that could draw unwanted attention. Now, living independently under Daniel’s protection, I no longer needed to conceal such treasures.

The third box was smaller, but I already knew its contents. Opening the card confirmed my suspicion—it was from my father, the patriarch of the Sullivan family’s legitimate business empire. Each year, he gifted me jewelry crafted by our family’s trusted artisans, secretly protecting these offerings from Claire’s interference. He always said gold and property were investments that could help me through difficult times if the family’s protection ever failed—a practical philosophy in our unpredictable world.

I had kept those pieces hidden from Claire during my childhood years under her supervision. Once, growing suspicious of my father’s generosity, she ransacked my room while I was at school, searching for evidence of what she saw as favoritism that threatened her position. Fortunately, I’d cleverly concealed my little collection inside a teddy bear that I would open, place the gifts inside, and carefully sew closed again, keeping it high on my bookshelf among other innocent childhood items.

That particular day, I returned to find my teddy bear thrown to the floor and Claire in a rage, demanding to know what my father had given me. When I denied receiving anything, she struck me with the calculated cruelty of someone who understood exactly how to inflict pain without leaving marks that would anger the family patriarch. She threatened to continue until I confessed. Thank goodness Beckett arrived home at that moment and intervened with the authority of the heir apparent. He took me to his secure residence, promising I wouldn’t have to leave unless I wanted to and only with our father’s explicit protection. I returned to the main house shortly after—she was still technically my mother in the family structure, after all. But I took my precious bear to my brother’s compound for safekeeping, only retrieving it when I moved away to my own protected apartment.

That was just one of many birthdays Claire had ruined with her power games and psychological manipulation. Year after year, she transformed what should have been celebrations into nightmares designed to remind me of my place in her version of the family hierarchy. Lost in these painful memories of psychological warfare, I didn’t realize tears had escaped until Jude appeared at my desk with the quiet concern of someone trained in personal security.

”That expression doesn’t look very festive,” he observed gently, automatically scanning the office for potential threats before focusing on me. I quickly wiped away my tears and looked up at him. ”Just remembering something unpleasant from the old days,” I explained. ”Is your surveillance shift going badly?”

”Actually, this is the first truly happy birthday I’ve ever had,” I admitted honestly, knowing Jude’s loyalty to the Thorne organization meant my words were safe. Jude immediately pulled me into a comforting embrace with the practiced ease of someone who understood the emotional toll of our lifestyle.

”Want to talk about the security concerns?”

”Not today.”

”Then tell me who these presents are from instead—I need to log them for the protection detail anyway.”

”The flowers are from my inspector,” I answered proudly, knowing the respect Daniel commanded throughout our interconnected organizations. ”This one’s from my older brother and his wife—they’re expanding the family’s art acquisition business. And this one’s from my father—I was just about to open it.”

”Those shoes are gorgeous! Daniel will love them when he sees you tonight,” Jude teased, making me laugh while maintaining his professional awareness of our security protocols. ”Do you want privacy to open your father’s gift, or should I stay for inventory purposes?”

”No, stay. He always designs jewelry himself and has it crafted by our family’s trusted artisans. They’re always beautiful pieces that serve multiple purposes. Let’s see what he created this year.”

”That’s unique—commissioning custom pieces just for you. I think I’m going to like your father when I finally meet him,” Jude commented, settling beside me while maintaining visual contact with the office entrance.

”You will. He’s a brilliant strategist and genuinely caring patriarch,” I smiled, thinking of how he’d managed to protect me even under Claire’s regime. ”Let’s see what message he’s sending this year.”