Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask

Chapter 500: Chapter 96 Predator on Campus

Lila’s POV

Talk about awkward first encounters in the underworld. There stood Daniel with a stunning woman clinging to his arm, wearing that infuriating smirk instead of immediately clarifying who she was. My blood started to simmer until the woman stepped forward, preventing me from making a complete fool of myself in front of what I assumed was another Martinez family associate.

Sybilla possessed the kind of devastating beauty that ran in powerful bloodlines. She shared Daniel’s piercing dark eyes, framed by impossibly long lashes that would make any socialite envious. Her tall, elegant frame moved with the refined grace expected of mafia nobility, and her sleek black hair fell perfectly around her heart-shaped face. Those full lips and porcelain complexion completed the picture of genetic aristocracy. Despite her intimidating beauty, she radiated genuine warmth—until Daniel mentioned Xavier Black, when her smile visibly dimmed. Clearly some complicated history between Thorne’s consigliere and the Martinez princess.

”Where are the power brokers today, Jude?” Daniel asked, obviously referring to the Thorne leadership.

Jude glanced up from monitoring the legitimate business operations. ”Xavier arrived before dawn and vanished just as quickly—probably handling some delicate negotiations. But Caleb...” He nodded toward the executive suite where Caleb was emerging.

”Right here! Daniel, good to see you. Ivy’s been asking where you two have been keeping yourselves,” Caleb greeted my boyfriend with the firm handshake of allied family heads. Guilt twisted in my stomach realizing we hadn’t visited the Thorne compound in weeks.

”Tell her we’ll make an appearance soon. Caleb, meet my sister, Sybilla,” Daniel introduced her casually, as though she wasn’t the secret family member I’d just discovered existed.

Caleb studied her carefully after their formal greeting. ”But Xavier mentioned she was still practically a child...”

”She is!” Daniel insisted, earning an exasperated sigh from Sybilla.

Jude chuckled from his surveillance station. ”In what reality, Daniel? Your sister is clearly a grown woman—a remarkably beautiful one. Accept the truth before you drive yourself insane intimidating every potential suitor who glances her direction.”

”Enough, Jude,” Daniel growled. ”Sybilla came here specifically to escape an overly persistent arrangement. What she requires now is legitimate employment, not additional complications.”

I couldn’t miss the protective steel in his voice. This was a facet of Daniel’s family loyalty I hadn’t fully witnessed before.

”I can arrange something for you, Sybilla,” Caleb offered smoothly. ”Forward your credentials to Jude, and I’ll establish an appropriate position within our operations.”

Sybilla’s face illuminated instantly. ”That would be incredible, Caleb! Thank you so much.”

After leaving Thorne Group’s headquarters, Daniel drove me toward the university district. He kept insisting on providing full escort service directly to my lecture halls, but I gently resisted.

”Listen, my formidable protector, the campus is right there. I already coordinated with MP, and he understands the security protocols. He’ll meet me at the main entrance and maintain close proximity during classes. He promised to stay alert whenever you’re handling family business,” I explained for what felt like the hundredth time.

”Fine, but remind him not to get too comfortable,” he grumbled with territorial jealousy.

I couldn’t suppress my laughter at his possessiveness. I kissed him farewell, gave Sybilla a quick embrace, and headed toward the entrance where MP was stationed.

”Lila!” MP’s eyes widened as he examined my face. ”It looks worse than I imagined from your description. Don’t worry, I’ll maintain surveillance around here.”

My friend draped his arm around my shoulders as we walked toward the law building, and I briefed him about Sybilla’s situation with the arranged political marriage.

”Seriously, what era are these family matriarchs living in?” MP shook his head in disbelief. ”Someone needs to inform them that forced alliances went out of fashion with medieval dynasties. Anyway, wait until you hear about this guy I encountered last weekend.”

”Still navigating those dating platforms, MP?” I teased, knowing his pattern of meeting potential partners only to be disappointed within days.

”We can’t all have dangerous Greek gods fall directly into our lives like you did, Lila! Some of us ordinary mortals have to work for romantic opportunities.” MP’s theatrical delivery never failed to amuse me.

”Lila!” A gravelly male voice called out, cutting through my laughter.

I turned, scanning for the source, and froze. Several yards away stood a imposing man with a thick mustache, wearing expensive cowboy boots and a belt buckle so massive it could serve as body armor. I recognized him immediately but couldn’t comprehend why Connor, casino kingpin and smuggling baron, would be here on university grounds.

”Should I contact Detective Martinez?” MP whispered urgently.

”Not yet,” I replied, rooted in place as the dangerous man approached.

”So this is your boyfriend?” Connor laughed, eyeing MP with obvious disdain. ”Your mother greatly exaggerated—he’s just a skinny college boy.”

”What brings you here, Connor?” I asked, trying to mask my terror. He was literally the last person I expected to encounter at my law school.

”My, you’ve matured beautifully. Almost thought you were...” His gaze lingered on me with unsettling familiarity before he caught himself.

”Almost thought I was what?” Despite my anxiety, curiosity overrode caution.

”Never mind.” He dismissed it with a wave. ”I came for a brief conversation. Hey, law boy, disappear—this concerns family business,” he barked at MP with a shooing motion.

I straightened my spine, channeling the Sullivan family steel. ”He stays. If you want to negotiate, do it now. I have constitutional law and won’t be late.” My voice projected more confidence than I felt.

”Easy there, princess. I’m not here to cause immediate harm.” His smile held no warmth as he raised a hand toward my face. I stepped back immediately. ”That woman still hasn’t learned to control her violent impulses, I see.” He noted my poorly concealed bruise from Claire’s latest outburst.

”What do you want? If you’re here to pressure me into accepting your worthless son’s marriage proposal, save your energy—it’s never happening!” I declared, drawing strength from MP’s loyal presence beside me.

”Why do you resist the arrangement so vehemently?” Connor asked with uncharacteristic calm that made him infinitely more dangerous.

”Do I seriously need to explain the obvious?”

”No,” he chuckled darkly. ”That boy causes me nothing but expensive problems anyway. But Claire and I had a lucrative understanding. She promised to deliver you home this weekend and failed spectacularly. I came to assess if our partnership is still worth the considerable headaches.”

”I have nothing to do with your criminal enterprises!”

”Oh, but you absolutely do. After seeing you today, I might just revise several terms of our business arrangement.”

”What are you implying?” Ice crawled up my spine at his calculating assessment.

”You’ll understand when the time comes. But make no mistake, princess—you will return to fulfill family obligations,” he said with the semblance of a smile that felt more like a death sentence. ”Until our next meeting, Lila.”

Connor turned and walked away with the confident stride of a man who owned half the city’s underground. His words about modifying—not canceling—their deal terrified me more than any direct physical threat could have.

”Come on, Lila, let’s find somewhere secure to sit. You’re trembling,” MP guided me into the lecture hall and helped me into a seat. Between my mother’s escalating violence and now Connor’s cryptic campus visit, I felt trapped in a nightmare with powerful enemies closing in from all sides.