Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask

Chapter 466: Chapter 62 Still Married Crisis

Daniel’s POV

Tonight marked the monthly gathering of the Thorne family women, which meant the men would convene for our traditional card game at Xavier’s secure compound. After escorting Lila to the heavily guarded Thorne estate where the ladies held their private council, I drove through the industrial district to Xavier’s fortified warehouse headquarters.

”Finally, the inspector honors us with his presence!” Xavier’s commanding voice echoed through the reinforced steel doors as I entered the dimly lit meeting room.

”Evening, brothers,” I muttered, dropping heavily into the leather chair reserved for Martinez family representatives. Dominic, ever the considerate friend, slid an ice-cold bottle of imported beer across the polished mahogany table, which I accepted gratefully and drained half of immediately.

”What’s weighing on you, detective? You look like death warmed over,” Jude observed, his sharp eyes studying me with the practiced assessment of a seasoned enforcer.

I exhaled deeply, feeling the weight of my burden. ”Is it that obvious?”

”Brother, we recognize that expression intimately,” Caleb interjected, adjusting his cufflinks with practiced ease. ”Dominic and I have worn those exact features, and it invariably involves complications with the women in our lives.”

This was precisely what I needed - to unburden myself to the only men who understood the delicate balance between family loyalty and personal desire before the pressure destroyed me completely.

”It’s not directly Lila’s fault, but the situation I’m facing could drive her away permanently,” I confessed, taking another long pull from the bottle.

”That sounds ominous.” Xavier’s eyes narrowed as he leaned forward, his fingers steepled. ”Did you finally inform her about your Sasha problem?”

Xavier was the sole member of our circle privy to my complicated history with Sasha. He’d witnessed the entire debacle firsthand, even attended that disastrous wedding ceremony at the Martinez family chapel.

”No, and believe me, this situation is far more catastrophic than that,” I replied grimly.

”This cannot possibly conclude favorably, Daniel,” Xavier warned, stating what we all knew but refused to acknowledge.

Finn’s brow furrowed in confusion. ”Who exactly is Sasha?” He paused, accessing his mental files. ”Wait, there was a Sasha who operated in our territory some time back. If memory serves, my contacts mentioned she was some wealthy socialite who married into significant power, extracted a considerable fortune, then relocated to Boston’s financial district.”

”Pleasure to make your acquaintance,” I said with bitter humor. ”I’m that significant power.”

Their expressions shifted to collective shock. ”Mother of God!” Jude exclaimed.

”Precisely,” I nodded.

Dominic looked ready to commit violence on my behalf. ”So you haven’t informed Tiny Angel that you’re divorced? Daniel, what a catastrophic mess! She’s going to annihilate you when she discovers this.”

”The complication is,” I took a steadying breath, ”I recently learned I’m not actually divorced at all.”

Xavier burst into incredulous laughter. ”That’s impossible! You’re divorced. The day those papers were finalized, you celebrated like you’d won the lottery. Gregory and I were both present at your freedom party.”

”I believed I was divorced as well. But yesterday Sasha materialized like a vengeful spirit and thrust annulment documents in my face,” I explained, feeling the familiar tension building behind my eyes.

”Mother of God!” they chorused in unified disbelief.

Finn, always requiring complete intelligence, pressed for comprehensive details. ”Step back a moment. You were actually married?”

I recognized the necessity of providing the complete picture. ”Sasha is the daughter of my father’s longtime business associate. We were raised within the same circles, attended the same exclusive institutions, were considered inseparable. We began our romantic involvement as teenagers and married when I came of age. The union deteriorated rapidly. I believed I’d been legally free for years until she suddenly reappeared in my existence like a nightmare made manifest. Somehow, she managed to invalidate the divorce decree without my knowledge or consent through connections in the judicial system. Apparently, I remain legally bound to her, and I had no awareness of this development.”

”I warned you!” Xavier slammed his fist against the table with enough force to rattle the glasses. ”I consistently told you she was a viper! A spoiled princess with zero substance beyond her father’s connections. But you defended her, claiming she was ’misunderstood.’ Well, that ’misunderstood’ woman is now systematically destroying your life!”

His anger was justified - Xavier had repeatedly cautioned me about Sasha’s true nature, but I’d been too blinded by youthful foolishness to heed his warnings.

”Now she’s returned claiming her rightful position as my wife and threatening to expose everything to Lila. Can you imagine the devastation when Lila discovers I’m still married?” I buried my face in my hands.

”Of course we can visualize it!” Finn exclaimed. ”She’d exile you faster than you could blink, and all our women would make our lives absolute hell in solidarity. Especially Zoe - that woman could start a war.”

”This represents complete disaster,” Jude stated with characteristic bluntness.

”I’m attempting to contain the situation until I can reinstate the divorce proceedings. Then perhaps I can reveal the truth to Lila with greater delicacy,” I explained my strategy, though it sounded inadequate even to my own ears.

Caleb shook his head gravely. ”Brother, I’m uncertain about that approach. I believe you should inform her immediately, or this will detonate spectacularly in your face with maximum collateral damage.”

Deep in my core, I knew his assessment was accurate, but the thought of telling Lila I remained married terrified me beyond reason. She would never grant me the opportunity to explain properly.

”Let’s establish the complete tactical picture,” Xavier declared, producing a bottle of premium tequila and arranging shot glasses for everyone. ”We require something stronger for this particular conversation.”

I spent the following time detailing the entire catastrophic situation - my household dynamics, Sasha’s sudden reappearance, and the impossible position I found myself occupying. Cards were completely forgotten as my brothers listened with intense focus.

”Your father is pushing this succession obsession beyond reasonable limits,” Xavier commented after I finished. ”Even the golden son suffers now. But your sister endures the worst treatment - you and Gregory possess the strength to resist, but forcing Sybilla into marriage with that worthless Grant Barlow represents pure cruelty.”

”When did you last encounter Sybilla?” I asked, finding his characterization curious given recent developments.

”Years ago? Probably at your wedding ceremony,” he replied.

”She’s evolved beyond the little girl you remember, but you’re absolutely correct - forcing her into that union is unconscionable. Gregory and I will prevent it from occurring.” I sighed heavily. ”Right now, gentlemen, I require solutions because losing Lila isn’t negotiable.”

”Where do matters stand with investigating the divorce fraud?” Jude inquired.

”Encountering obstacles at every turn. The attorney who orchestrated this disappeared completely, and the judge who signed the annulment has conveniently retired. Forensics confirmed my signatures were forged, and my legal counsel filed to reinstate the divorce decree, but the presiding judge is conveniently on extended vacation,” I explained, frustration evident in every word.

”Tell Lila everything, Daniel. She might surprise you with her resilience,” Jude suggested.

I considered his counsel carefully. ”And simultaneously handle her mother’s inevitable interference?”

”That woman represents pure evil incarnate,” Jude shuddered. ”Tiny Lila doesn’t deserve any of this chaos. She’s genuinely good-hearted.”

”Lila is extraordinary,” I smiled despite the circumstances, thinking of her strength. ”But I cannot reveal this until the divorce becomes official.”

”This will conclude badly,” Finn warned ominously. ”Zoe treats Lila like blood family...”

”Afraid of Zoe’s wrath, Finn?” Dominic teased, though his expression remained deadly serious. ”Because I certainly maintain healthy respect for her capabilities.”

”Gentlemen, please don’t compound this situation beyond its current impossibility,” I groaned.

By evening’s end, they had all pledged to maintain my secret and provide whatever cover became necessary. I understood they risked their own relationships to assist me, and my gratitude ran deeper than words could express.