Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask

Chapter 501: Chapter 97 Unwelcome Visitor

Lila’s POV

Max stayed glued to my side as we exited the law building. True to his word, he hadn’t left me alone for a moment since Connor’s unsettling visit. Outside, Daniel was already waiting, leaning against his unmarked police cruiser with that smile that always made my heart flutter despite the dangerous world we inhabited.

”Hey, little one! I missed you,” he said, wrapping his arms around me in a warm embrace before acknowledging my friend. ”Good evening, Max.”

”Good evening, Inspector,” Max replied, shifting his weight awkwardly.

”Man, just call me Daniel,” he said with a casual wave. ”Sorry about that day, but I think you understand why.” The fact that Daniel was apologizing to Max for his initial jealous reaction when they first met touched me deeply, especially knowing how territorial men in our world could be.

”No worries, Daniel. I get it,” Max said with an understanding nod. ”And your protectiveness is justified—Lila is truly beautiful and incredibly special.” He turned to me with a friendly smile. ”Lila, I’ll wait for you here at the entrance tomorrow.” After saying our goodbyes, Daniel and I got into his car.

”Tiny one, what happened?” Daniel asked the moment he started the engine, his detective instincts immediately picking up on my tension.

”Connor showed up at the law school today,” I said, still trying to process the unexpected visit from the casino magnate.

”Who?” His brow furrowed in confusion, though his hand instinctively moved toward his concealed weapon.

”Connor, the head of the gambling syndicate my mother wants me to marry into,” I explained, watching his expression darken. ”He came to the university today to talk to me personally.”

”What did that bastard want?” Daniel’s grip tightened on the steering wheel, his voice taking on the dangerous edge I’d learned to recognize when someone threatened his territory.

”I’m not sure exactly. He mentioned making some arrangement with my mother about consolidating our families’ assets...” I recounted everything Connor had said and how his predatory gaze had made my skin crawl. ”It was really strange, Daniel. Something about him felt absolutely menacing, like he was already planning something.”

”Lila, don’t worry,” he assured me, taking my hand in his calloused one. ”That piece of shit won’t get near you, I promise. I’ll talk to Beckett—maybe Thorne’s intelligence network can dig up some dirt on Connor’s recent moves.” His touch remained steady and comforting throughout the drive, gradually easing my anxiety about the casino boss’s intentions.

”Tiny one, I should apologize for bringing my sister without warning you,” Daniel said as we rode the elevator up to his secure apartment. ”She’s also running from an arranged marriage the family set up to strengthen political connections.”

”You don’t need to apologize for that,” I replied sincerely. ”I think she and I will get along wonderfully.” I smiled at him. ”At least your mother doesn’t resort to physical violence like mine does when she doesn’t get her way.” I couldn’t help the bitter edge in my voice, remembering how Claire seemed to enjoy hitting me when I defied her plans.

”Oh, love, don’t think about that witch now.” He pulled me into his arms and placed a gentle kiss at the corner of my mouth. ”You know what I just remembered?”

”What?” I asked, noticing a playful smile forming on his lips.

”That you owe me some action in the elevator,” he whispered, his breath hot against my ear, making my body instantly respond despite our dangerous circumstances.

”You’re such a pervert!” I laughed, but couldn’t deny the heat building inside me.

”Only for you, little one, only for you.” He kissed behind my ear and then gently sucked on its tip, sending delicious shivers down my spine.

When we entered the apartment, a mouthwatering aroma greeted us from the kitchen. Sybilla looked up with a bright smile, clearly having made herself comfortable in her brother’s safehouse.

”Ah, you’re here!” she exclaimed enthusiastically. ”Lila, I made dinner, and not to brag, but I’m quite the chef when I’m not dodging family politics.”

”If you keep this up, I’ll get too spoiled and won’t let you leave,” I joked, making her smile even wider.

Dinner was genuinely delicious. Afterward, Sybilla and I cleaned the kitchen together, chatting easily about everything except our families’ criminal enterprises. She told me about convincing Sasha to cut her hair—a story that had me doubled over with laughter, especially knowing how image-obsessed that woman was. She also opened up about her parents and the political marriage her mother had arranged to strengthen the Martinez family’s influence. I realized we shared similar experiences—both fleeing our homes to escape arranged marriages designed to consolidate power rather than create happiness.

Later that night, with Daniel busy on his laptop reviewing case files and family intelligence reports, Sybilla and I settled in to watch TV. She enthusiastically recommended a SWAT series that turned out to be surprisingly good, though I couldn’t help thinking the real thing was far more complex than television portrayed.

”So, Lila, what did you think?” Sybilla asked when the episode ended.

”I loved it! All the tactical operations, strategic planning, and coordinated strikes were amazing,” I admitted with a smile. ”I’ve always been fascinated by law enforcement procedures, even though our families operate on the other side of that equation.”

”Me too! Isn’t that team leader incredibly attractive? Girl, I even dream about him,” Sybilla gushed.

”He is gorgeous! Actually, he reminds me a lot of Xavier Black...” I immediately regretted my words as her expression dimmed. ”Oh, sorry! You’re not a fan of Xavier, I take it? That’s surprising—he’s usually pretty charming when he’s not intimidating people.”

”No need to apologize,” she sighed. ”Xavier is just irritating, at least to me. He always treated me like a child because he’s older, never letting me prove myself in any family business. I haven’t seen him in years, but he constantly dismissed me, never let me participate in anything important or go anywhere significant with them. Always making comments like, ’oh, Daniel’s little sister,’ ’oh, you’re just a kid,’ ’oh, you should stay out of family affairs...’” Her impression of Xavier made me laugh despite the tension.

”Well, if it’s been years, maybe he’ll stop treating you that way. He really is a brilliant strategist,” I offered.

”I highly doubt it. He might even try to prevent Caleb from giving me the position at Thorne,” she said bitterly. ”I’d prefer to avoid running into him altogether if I’m going to work there.”

”But if you work at Thorne Corporation, that might be difficult,” I pointed out.

”Not really—that place is massive, and most of the legitimate operations are kept separate from the strategic planning divisions. He won’t even know I’m there,” she countered confidently.

”Have you sent your credentials to Jude yet?”

”Yes! It would be incredible to work there. Thorne Corporation offers amazing opportunities, and the legal department especially would give me real experience in corporate law.” Her excitement was palpable.

As we continued talking, Sybilla shared more about herself—her educational background, her father’s refusal to let her participate in family operations, and how frustrating it was being excluded from important decisions. I opened up about moving to the city to pursue my law degree and building my own life independent of Sullivan family expectations, and we bonded over our mutual frustration with mothers who tried to force us into strategic marriages for family benefit rather than personal happiness.

”Girls, it’s getting late,” Daniel interrupted, joining us in the living room after finishing his work. ”Shall we go to bed, little one?”

”Hey, are you already trying to steal my friend?” Sybilla protested playfully.

”My girlfriend,” Daniel declared possessively, then turned to me with a seductive smile. ”I need her for something other than sleep.”

After saying goodnight to Sybilla, we retreated to the bedroom. Sleep, however, wasn’t what Daniel had in mind. He slowly undressed me and guided me to bed, his lips exploring every inch of my body while his hands played across my skin, making love to me with an intensity that made me forget about casino bosses, family politics, and everything else beyond these walls.