Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask

Chapter 598: Chapter 194 Questions Demand Answers

Lila’s POV

I refused to let Daniel’s family stay at a hotel. No matter how luxurious the establishment, it would feel cold and detached, especially when their son owned a secure penthouse where they could stay safely. Daniel had welcomed my family with open arms despite the territorial complications between our organizations. It only seemed right to extend the same courtesy to his blood.

I had another agenda too. I wanted to observe the Martinez family dynamics up close and hopefully bridge the gap that had formed when Daniel chose law enforcement over the family business. I needed to hear their version of events and maybe facilitate some reconciliation. If they stayed at a hotel, I knew Daniel would find every excuse to avoid the difficult conversations that needed to happen.

I also recognized that Sybilla was my secret weapon. She seemed to be the only one who could challenge her father without triggering his legendary temper. So bringing them all together under our heavily secured roof made perfect sense, even if it meant temporarily rearranging our carefully orchestrated living situation.

”Well, I’ll bid farewell to you here,” Jude announced as we exited the private medical facility. ”Mrs. Martinez, truly an honor meeting you. I pray for your swift recovery. You could easily pass as these three’s sister rather than their mother.” He bent down and kissed her hand with the old-world charm that marked him as nobility within our circles.

”Oh, Jude, such a gentleman! Men like you are becoming extinct in this business. Thank you, dear. I hope our territories cross paths again under more pleasant circumstances,” Beatrice replied with the warm smile of a woman who understood the delicate politics of our world.

For the drive home, Beatrice insisted on riding with me, along with her husband. Sybilla joined us too, while Gregory and his wife went with Daniel in his armored sedan. During the journey through the city’s protected corridors, Sybilla regaled us with stories from her work at the legitimate front companies, emphasizing how much she loved contributing to the organization’s legal operations. I could detect the subtle challenge to her father for never giving her a real position in the family’s core business.

”You know, Lila,” Beatrice said thoughtfully, ”I’m from a different era. I always believed a woman’s place was managing the household, supporting her husband’s operations, and raising the next generation. But nowadays, you young women want more – legitimate careers, independence, influence beyond the domestic sphere.”

”Mrs. Martinez,” I replied carefully, choosing my words with the precision my legal training demanded, ”there are still women who find fulfillment in managing homes and raising families – that’s invaluable work, no question. But we can handle multiple responsibilities and still be devoted wives and mothers. Some of us need additional purpose beyond family roles to feel complete, especially in families like ours where understanding the law is crucial for survival.”

”Yes, I suppose that’s the reality now,” she sighed. ”Do you think about having children, Lila?” The question caught me off guard, though I recognized it as both maternal concern and strategic inquiry about the family’s future.

”I do, but not immediately. I want to finish my law degree first – that education is essential for protecting our interests. But yes, I definitely want children. I want to be the kind of mother my brother says ours was before she was taken from us. Family means everything to me, especially in our world where blood loyalty is everything.”

”You are young, dear. But Daniel isn’t getting any younger – there’s quite an age gap between you. You’ll need to have serious discussions to find a timeline that serves both your ambitions and the family’s needs.” Her observation hit home. I knew Daniel yearned to be a father, to have legitimate heirs who could bridge the gap between his law enforcement career and his heritage. We’d pushed the topic aside during recent crises, but eventually, we’d have to confront it.

”You’re absolutely right, but we’ll find middle ground. Mrs. Martinez, I love Daniel with everything I have – I’d do anything to protect him and honor this family.” I had just parked in our private garage, and I met her gaze directly, seeing approval mixed with assessment in her experienced eyes.

”I know you love him, and he loves you. You’ll work it out together!” We shared a smile of understanding. ”Just don’t make me a grandmother when I’m old enough to be a great-grandmother.” I laughed at her joke, recognizing the kernel of truth within it about timing and family planning in our dangerous world.

”You’re nowhere near old, but I’ll keep that timing in mind.” We stepped out of the reinforced vehicle just as Daniel parked his sedan beside us. He emerged looking tense, clearly wondering how the ride had gone and what family intelligence had been exchanged.

”Relax, Inspector, we were just planning when you’re becoming a father!” I walked away arm-in-arm with Beatrice, hearing laughter from Gregory, his wife, Sybilla, and a stunned Daniel behind us.

”He’s completely speechless,” Beatrice whispered, triggering more shared amusement between us.

Back at the apartment, we needed to rearrange sleeping arrangements with security considerations in mind. I offered our master bedroom to Daniel’s parents and planned to move some of our belongings to the secure middle room. I asked Sybilla to share with me so Gregory and his wife could have her larger room with the reinforced windows, relegating Daniel to the living room couch. But Sloane surprised me with another suggestion.

”No, Lila, we should stay in Sybilla’s room, and Daniel and Gregory can share the other secure room. We can talk strategy all night! Do you have extra bedding?”

”Actually, I have a spare mattress in storage. If you’re comfortable with that arrangement, I’d love the company.”

Daniel helped move the mattress without complaint, understanding the value of allowing the women to bond separately from the men’s inevitable business discussions.

Mr. Martinez insisted on handling dinner arrangements, refusing my offers to cook. He contacted a restaurant from their network and even managed to have clothes and necessities delivered from establishments where the family maintained accounts. Everything arrived with military precision.

The women set the table while maintaining awareness of sight lines and exit routes, and we gathered to share a meal filled with stories of Daniel’s childhood rebellions against family expectations. Gregory, slightly older than Daniel and bearing a striking resemblance, seemed less conflicted than his brother but more cautious than Sybilla. After dinner, I served coffee in the living room. The atmosphere felt deceptively peaceful until Daniel abruptly broached the subject everyone had been avoiding.

”So, Dad, Lila thinks I should hear your version. I’m listening. Are you going to explain why you tried making a deal with Claire Sullivan, that treacherous snake?” All eyes turned to Daniel. He couldn’t wait even one more day for this confrontation. Surprisingly, the only person who didn’t seem shocked was Mr. Martinez himself.