Ivy’s POV
My return to Thorne Syndicate headquarters felt like stepping into a war zone. Between Gemma’s explosive confrontation with Monica, Dominic’s rage over Gemma being attacked, and the venomous whispers circulating that I was sleeping my way to power within the family, the day had been utterly draining.
At least Monica’s elimination brought so relief. Working alongside soone who clearly wanted to destroy would have been impossible. The executive floor felt lighter without her toxic presence, and Caleb and I were so buried in laundering operations that our usual flirtation took a backseat to deadlines and damage control from the recent family conflicts.
That afternoon brought a different kind of tension. Gemma and I were returning from a eting at one of our front businesses, chatting about weekend plans as we stepped into the private elevator that serviced the family floors. The familiar ding announced another passenger, and my stomach dropped when Rossi slid through the closing doors.
The confined space suddenly felt suffocating. As the elevator began its ascent, Rossi shifted closer, invading my personal space with deliberate intent. His proximity made my skin crawl.
"Feeling pretty confident now that you have Caleb wrapped around your finger, aren’t you?" His voice dripped with contempt.
I pressed my back against the elevator wall, fighting to keep my voice steady. "That’s not your concern, sir."
"Oh, but it absolutely is my concern, you manipulative little parasite." The hatred in his eyes was palpable. "Caleb belongs to my daughter, and I won’t let so street trash ruin what’s ant to be."
Gemma stepped forward, her protective instincts kicking in. "Sir, you need to step back. This is completely inappropriate behavior."
Rossi’s laugh was cruel and sharp. "Look, the other opportunist has sothing to say too. Let make sothing crystal clear to both of you. Your days in this family are numbered. Start planning your exit because you’ll be back in whatever gutter you crawled out of soon enough."
Heat flooded my cheeks as anger overrode my fear. "You have no right to speak to us this way."
"Rights?" Rossi’s mock amusent was sickening. "He’ll use you until he’s bored, then toss you aside like yesterday’s garbage. Your little friend here will go down with you when that happens. And trust , it won’t take long." He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a poisonous whisper. "Did you know he was quite intimate with my daughter? Oh yes, they have history. Real, passionate history."
My throat constricted. I’d heard whispers about Caleb’s past with Yara, but hearing it delivered like a weapon made bile rise in my throat.
Gemma’s voice shook with fury. "Enough. I’m calling for backup right now. This harassnt ends here." She fumbled for her phone with trembling fingers.
The elevator chid as we reached our floor. Rossi straightened his tie with smug satisfaction. "Consider this friendly advice, Ivy. Walking away with dignity beats getting carried out in pieces." The doors began to slide open, but he couldn’t resist one final blow. "Yara ntioned how wonderfully passionate Caleb can be in bed. Such vivid details."
The doors sealed shut, trapping us with his lingering malice. My knees buckled as the full impact of his words hit . Gemma caught as tears spilled down my cheeks, her arms wrapping around protectively.
When the elevator opened again, I was struggling to compose myself. We stepped onto the executive floor to find Caleb, Xavier, and Dominic clustered in the reception area, their conversation halting when they saw my tear-stained face.
"Tesoro, what happened?" Caleb was on his feet instantly, concern etched across his features.
I couldn’t form words. The humiliation and hurt had stolen my voice.
Gemma’s anger blazed as she spoke for . "Rossi cornered us in the elevator. He called us street trash, told us to go back to whatever gutter we ca from, and made sure to ntion how passionate you were with his precious daughter. He described it in detail."
Caleb’s face transford, rage replacing concern in seconds. "That bastard." His voice was deadly quiet. "Tesoro, you know none of that matters. You know I love you. The only reason I haven’t put a bullet in him yet is because I need to be strategic about it."
"But you did sleep with her." The words tasted bitter as I spoke them, stepping away from his reaching hands. "That part is true."
I escaped to my office with Gemma close behind, leaving Caleb to deal with Dominic’s explosive reaction.
"That piece of garbage won’t keep attacking my woman," Dominic’s voice carried through the walls. "And he sure as hell won’t keep tornting Ivy. If you don’t handle this, Caleb, I will."
"I’ll take care of it," Caleb’s response was grim with promise.
The remainder of the day passed in a fog of hurt and frustration. Despite Gemma’s logical argunts that Rossi was deliberately trying to manipulate my emotions, I couldn’t shake the images his words had planted in my mind.
As closing ti approached, Caleb summoned us to his office. A burly man in a dark suit stood beside his desk, the telltale bulge of a shoulder holster visible beneath his jacket.
"Ladies, et Caleb from our security team. He’ll be stationed at the elevator entrance. Whenever you need to leave this floor, he’ll escort you and ensure no one can trap you like that again."
I shifted uncomfortably. "Caleb, having a bodyguard feels excessive."
"It’s about protection, not surveillance," he countered firmly.
"It does seem a bit much," Gemma agreed hesitantly.
Caleb’s expression softened slightly. "Gemma, Dominic demanded imdiate action. I can’t remove Rossi from the equation yet, but I can prevent him from poisoning your mind with his lies. Look at how upset you are, angel. I can’t stand seeing you like this."
"Just in the elevator?" I needed clarification.
"Exactly. The elevator is where you’re most vulnerable. Throughout the rest of the building, we have soldiers I trust watching out for you. He won’t get another opportunity to corner you."
I considered the compromise. "Alright, if it’s just elevator duty."
"I agree," Gemma nodded reluctantly. "Rossi clearly has it out for Ivy specifically. Better safe than sorry." Her mood brightened suddenly. "I should get back to work. The safe house renovation is almost complete, and Xavier’s new office is coming along beautifully. I’ll call you when it’s ready for inspection."
After Gemma left, bubbling with excitent about her design project, Caleb stood and moved to lock his office door. When he turned back to , his eyes held a familiar heat that made my pulse quicken despite everything.
"We have so unfinished business on that couch," he said, his voice dropping to that low register that never failed to affect .
Despite the day’s turmoil, I felt myself responding to his magnetic pull, anticipation replacing the lingering hurt in my chest.
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