Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask

Chapter 456: Chapter 52 Mothers Violent Threats

Lila’s POV

I drifted into Thorne Group’s legal department humming softly, my heart lighter than it had been in months. The world seemed painted in brighter hues after last night with Daniel, when my detective finally opened his guarded heart to me completely. How could anything feel ordinary after hearing those three precious words from a man who ruled both sides of the law?

”Girl, that inspector of yours must have worked some serious magic,” Jude appeared at my desk, his knowing smile making me blush. As one of Thorne’s financial analysts who handled our legitimate investment portfolios, Jude had become my closest friend in this complex world of shadow businesses.

”It’s love that’s magical, Jude,” I beamed, unable to contain my joy.

”Spill everything, beautiful,” he said, settling into the leather chair across from my mahogany desk.

”He loves me, Jude. He actually loves me!” The words tumbled out like champagne bubbles.

”And that’s breaking news how exactly, Tiny Cipher?” Xavier’s voice cut through our conversation as Thorne Group’s consigliere materialized beside us like a well-dressed specter. ”Everyone except you two blind fools figured that out months ago.”

”What do you mean?” I asked, genuinely puzzled.

Xavier leaned against my desk with the predatory grace that made him so effective at negotiating both legitimate contracts and underground territories. ”Only you and the good inspector were oblivious. The rest of us watched you two circle each other like a pair of lovesick wolves.”

I shot Jude a questioning glance.

”Don’t look at me like that,” Jude protested, raising his hands defensively. ”I kept my mouth shut like a proper gentleman.”

”He didn’t need to say anything,” Xavier continued, adjusting his Italian silk tie. ”Anyone with half a brain could see how you two gravitated toward each other at every family gathering. So Martinez finally grew a pair and confessed?”

”Since when did you become the office matchmaker?” Jude teased, earning my grateful laugh.

”Yes, he told me everything, and I shared my feelings too. Nothing can tear us apart now.” My voice carried absolute certainty that my fairy tale had finally begun. ”Now both of you have actual work to do for this organization.”

”I’m going, I’m going to call your boy and offer my congratulations,” Xavier rose with characteristic smoothness and headed toward his corner office where he orchestrated Thorne’s most delicate operations.

As my attention returned to Jude, I noticed the dark shadows beneath his usually bright eyes. ”What’s wrong? You look like you’ve been through hell.”

”Port’t slept properly in days, Tiny Cipher,” he sighed heavily. ”Have you talked to Nora recently?”

I paused, realizing I’d barely seen Nora lately. She’d been spending most of her time with Ruby, and both had been mysteriously absent from our usual gatherings at the penthouse. ”Not in a while, actually. Why do you ask?”

”We had a massive fight. For days now, she’ll only speak to me when Thorne business demands it.” His attempt at a casual shrug failed miserably.

”Want me to talk to her?” I offered, concerned for both of them.

”Not yet. Don’t want to drag you into our mess when you’re finally happy.” His smile looked more like a grimace.

”I’m here whenever you need me,” I assured him as he nodded weakly and retreated to his office where he managed the more traditional investment accounts that kept Thorne Group’s legitimate facade spotless.

I was contemplating ways to help my friend when the elevator chimed and a delivery man approached with an elaborate arrangement of white orchids and deep red roses—flowers that would make any mafia princess swoon. The card bore Daniel’s bold handwriting, and my heart melted at his thoughtfulness even amid his demanding caseload.

The morning proceeded peacefully in our marble-appointed offices until my phone buzzed with my mother’s name flashing across the screen. I realized I hadn’t spoken to her in days and actually missed her voice, despite everything. I answered warmly.

”Hi, Mom—”

She cut me off with razor-sharp precision. ”Explain to me exactly where you’re living, Lila.” Her tone could have frozen champagne.

”What?” My mind went completely blank.

”Lila, where are you living?” she repeated, her voice rising to that dangerous octave I remembered from childhood. ”I provided your address to Connor so he could pay you a proper visit, and imagine my shock when he returned saying the doorman claimed you don’t reside there anymore.”

”Mom, I moved in with a friend. It seemed safer than living alone.” I decided against mentioning I was cohabiting with my boyfriend—she might actually hire someone to drag me home.

”What friend? Have you moved into some degenerate boarding house full of drinking and loose morals?”

”No, Mom. I’m staying with Gemma. I’ve mentioned her before.” I committed to the fabrication—there was no conceivable way she could discover I was living in Daniel’s fortress-like penthouse.

”Is she the one living with her mother?” Gemma no longer lived with her mother, but that detail could remain buried.

”That’s right, Mom,” I confirmed, praying the interrogation would end.

”Well, that shows some sense at least. Someone responsible will be monitoring you. Give me the address—Connor is quite eager to visit.”

”Absolutely not!” The words erupted before I could stop them.

”What did you just say to me, young lady?” Her voice turned lethal.

”Gemma’s mother doesn’t permit male visitors,” I improvised desperately.

”Now that’s a proper parent,” she approved with grudging respect.

”But provide me the address regardless.” Her demand left me scrambling for options.

”Mom, I’m not giving you my location,” I finally stated, bracing for nuclear warfare.

”Lila, don’t test my patience!” Her voice reached glass-shattering levels.

”Mom, you threatened to drag me home by my hair and lock me away. I won’t tell you where I live. Dad knows my location for emergencies—” She cut off my explanation mid-sentence.

”You’ve gotten far too big for your boots, young lady! I am your mother! You owe me complete obedience and respect. How dare you vanish without explanation? Have you completely lost your mind, Lila?”

Her screams echoed through the phone loud enough to draw concerned looks from passing colleagues.

”I’m sorry, Mom, but I won’t provide the address.” I maintained my ground though my entire body trembled like a leaf.

”Mark my words, Lila, I will locate you eventually. When I do, I’ll give you such a thrashing you’ll be soaking in ice baths for weeks. And just when you think it’s finished, I’ll beat you again and drag you by your hair to the altar to marry Connor!” Her voice had transformed into something inhuman—no mother should ever threaten her child with such venom.

”Mom...” Tears streamed down my cheeks, my hands shaking uncontrollably. Suddenly, someone gently removed the phone from my grasp.

”Ma’am, while you may be Lila’s mother, understand that she has powerful friends who will shield her from harm. You won’t lay a finger on her. Now go find some housework to occupy yourself instead of terrorizing your hardworking daughter who, unlike some people, doesn’t have time for such destructive nonsense.”

I turned to see Jude ending the call, his face etched with protective fury as he studied my tear-stained face.

”Are you absolutely certain that psychopath is actually your mother?” Jude asked with such genuine concern that I briefly questioned everything—after all, what kind of mother threatens her own daughter that way?

”Right now, I wish she wasn’t,” I admitted through my sobs. Jude knelt beside my chair and enveloped me in a fierce, protective embrace.

”Don’t worry, Tiny Cipher. We’ll keep you safe,” he promised, his words filled with the loyalty that bound Thorne Group’s inner circle together.