Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask

Chapter 457: Chapter 53 One Way Ticket

Daniel’s POV

My relationship with Lila represented everything I had fought to build outside my family’s shadow—pure, honest, untainted by the Martinez legacy of corruption and manipulation. Yet Sasha’s presence threatened to drag both Lila and me back into that world of political marriages and judicial puppetry. Every day I delayed solving this crisis increased the risk of Lila discovering the full extent of my family’s influence over the legal system that was supposed to protect her.

The conversations with my private attorney and the federal contacts investigating document fraud had yielded frustratingly little progress. My patience was wearing thin when my office door burst open without so much as a courtesy knock.

”What the hell are you doing here?” I snapped, not bothering to mask my contempt.

”It’s Friday, darling husband.” Sasha’s lips curved into that practiced smile she’d perfected during our years of political theater. She examined my desk chair with theatrical disdain before settling into it as if claiming territory. ”I came to see if you’ve grown tired of playing house with your little college girl.” Her manicured fingers traced the armrest mockingly. ”What a charmingly rustic police station this is.”

”Get out, Sasha. Stop this harassment campaign.”

”Oh, Daniel,” she purred with false sweetness, ”don’t take that tone with your lawfully wedded wife. You know how emotional I become when treated poorly. I might cause quite a disturbance—and we both know how talented I am at creating memorable scenes.”

I knew exactly what she meant. Sasha’s dramatic outbursts were legendary among our social circle, and the last thing I needed was her staging one of her performances at the precinct.

”What exactly do you want, Sasha? You clearly understand I won’t be welcoming you back into my life. Why persist with this charade?”

”Daniel, I’m your wife according to both church and state. I deserve the privileges that come with that position. Sharing your home happens to be foremost among them.”

”That will never happen. Face reality—you know it’s only a matter of time before I dissolve this farce permanently.”

”What are you planning, Daniel?” Her eyes sharpened with suspicion. She knew me well enough to recognize when I was working multiple angles.

”I’m not the one who specializes in elaborate schemes. You’re the expert at manipulation, deception, and forging legal documents. Let me be crystal clear, Sasha—when your house of cards collapses, my father won’t shield you from the consequences. He’ll cut ties to protect the family name.” I was confident that any investigation into judicial corruption would never touch the Martinez patriarch directly, but Sasha wouldn’t be afforded such protection.

”What exactly are you orchestrating, Daniel?” Suspicion clouded her features.

I smiled cryptically. ”Perhaps you should have a heart-to-heart with your father about recent developments.”

”Don’t play games with me, Daniel. I know every one of your tells.” Her voice hardened with menace. ”Let’s speak plainly. When are you sending your teenage distraction back to whatever suburban playground she came from?”

”Sasha,” I leaned forward, allowing steel to enter my voice, ”I’ve made myself clear. Come anywhere near Lila, and I’ll unleash everything I have against your father’s operations. Imagine how crushing it would be for him to spend his golden years in federal prison because his daughter couldn’t accept reality.”

”Keep my father out of your vendetta, Daniel.” Her posture stiffened defensively.

”I will, provided you keep Lila out of yours. Let’s negotiate a temporary ceasefire. Give me some breathing room. Return to Greenleaf, spend quality time with your parents, reconnect with your roots. Meanwhile, I’ll have the necessary conversations with my father and work toward a permanent solution. Does that seem reasonable?” I needed to buy precious time for the federal investigation to gain momentum.

”You’re not going to outmaneuver me that easily, Daniel.”

”Sasha, you’re too intelligent for this self-destructive behavior. Surely you realize that remaining here making my life miserable will only escalate tensions for everyone involved. Show some good faith and grant me this time. I’ll negotiate with my father, and then we’ll settle everything definitively—whether our marriage continues or not. I’m being more than fair.” My calm exterior concealed my desperation to remove her from Lila’s orbit.

”How much time are we discussing, Daniel?”

”Some time, perhaps?”

”That’s an eternity, Daniel.”

”It’s exactly the timeline my father specified for resolving complex family matters. Since he holds the most influence in this situation, his schedule seems appropriate. In the meantime, you can travel, indulge in all those expensive hobbies you’re so passionate about.” I couldn’t entirely suppress my disdain, but she appeared to be considering the proposal.

”Some time, Daniel. When I return, you’ll have ended this midlife crisis with that child.” She spoke as if her victory was already assured.

”Some time, Sasha, and when you return, we’ll have our final conversation.” I had no intention of changing my position—I simply needed her gone.

”Agreed, provided you personally drive me to the airport.” Her sudden smile told me she was calculating some advantage. ”Come now, Daniel. I don’t have transportation in the city. The least you can do is ensure I reach my departure gate safely.”

”It has to be immediately,” I insisted, formulating a plan to guarantee she actually boarded that flight to Greenleaf.

”I need to collect my belongings from the hotel.” She rose with practiced grace.

I opened the door eagerly, desperate for her swift exit. Fortunately, Adler was manning the front desk.

”Adler, I need you to accompany us,” I called to my colleague. He glanced between Sasha and me, understanding flickering across his features.

”Of course, Inspector Martinez.” He didn’t question my unusual request.

”Who is this man? Why is he joining us?” Sasha demanded imperiously.

”Inspector Adler. He’s coming along to ensure everything proceeds smoothly. Now let’s go.” I gripped her arm with firm authority.

”This wasn’t part of our arrangement, Daniel!” she protested.

”Don’t create a spectacle at my workplace,” I warned through clenched teeth. ”The agreement was airport transportation, which I’m providing, but my colleague is joining us for security purposes.”

”Are you actually afraid to be alone with me, Daniel?” Her laugh was deliberately provocative.

”Think whatever helps you sleep at night.” I opened the patrol car’s rear door and guided her inside with unmistakable finality.

”What is this, Daniel? I refuse to ride in a police vehicle! Daniel?” She frantically attempted to open the door. Adler chuckled as he settled into the passenger seat.

”Save your energy, ma’am. Those back doors are security-locked,” Adler explained with obvious satisfaction. ”And I’d recommend against provoking Inspector Martinez further—patience isn’t among his notable virtues. Talk too much, and you might find yourself in our holding cell.”

”What holding cell? Are you completely insane?” Sasha’s outrage was palpable.

”The detention facility, ma’am—our secure prisoner transport area. Not comfortable, and the aroma is quite offensive.” Adler was clearly enjoying the exchange. Sasha stared at him in horror.

”Listen carefully to Inspector Adler, Sasha. I have zero tolerance for dramatic scenes, as you well remember.” I started the engine with those final words of warning.

Sasha complained relentlessly during the entire journey to the hotel. After waiting quite a while in the opulent lobby, she finally emerged with four enormous designer suitcases. I couldn’t comprehend why she required such excessive luggage, but at least she was departing. She immediately began protesting as I loaded her expensive cases into the patrol car’s secure compartment.

”Don’t damage my luggage, Daniel!” She hovered anxiously between her belongings and the vehicle.

”Sasha, get in the car.” I grabbed her arm and directed her firmly into the patrol car. ”Now remain silent, or you can ride in the transport cage while your precious suitcases occupy the comfortable seat.”