Caleb’s POV
Roman Rossi continued to be a plague upon my organization. His latest tantrum concerned territory redistribution, yet the bastard remained entrenched in his position like a persistent infection. My patience with this walking liability had evaporated completely. The family’s internal investigation was expanding its reach, scrutinizing years of money laundering records with forensic precision. Xavier warned this probe could stretch on indefinitely. Until then, I was trapped tolerating this insufferable parasite.
The East Coast arms shipnt consud my entire day, confining to my private office like a caged predator. The deal was progressing smoothly, with our contacts expressing interest in expanding the weapons pipeline. However, their demands for extensive docuntation kept Jude and drowning in falsified paperwork. A trip to the docks lood ahead, but perhaps escaping this suffocating atmosphere would provide so relief.
"I return from weeks of coordinating Frost Coast operations to find no welco party? What kind of family are we?" Heidi swept into my office with her characteristic wit. "Though I must admit, this office renovation looks magnificent."
"Heidi! Christ, I’ve been counting the hours until your return. This place falls apart without you." I abandoned my desk to embrace the woman who had beco my surrogate mother after losing my parents.
"Darling, I’ve missed you terribly. How are you surviving?"
"He’s completely destroyed. A hollow shell of a man, stressed beyond recognition, paranoid, and prone to violent outbursts. Basically a unhinged cri boss who lost his woman," Jude announced, rising from his position to join us.
"I can see the truth in that assessnt. You look absolutely wrecked," Heidi observed with brutal honesty.
"Heidi, I need your counsel. Help navigate this nightmare. Xavier suggested delaying tactics, postponing this cursed engagent as long as possible. I’ve managed to secure additional months, but what purpose does it serve?" Desperation colored my voice.
"Listen carefully, son. Approach this situation like a territorial negotiation. Remain cold and calculating. Emotions will destroy you, just as they created this disaster. You allowed feelings to cloud your judgnt, got intoxicated by lust, made catastrophic decisions, and potentially impregnated that manipulative snake," Heidi delivered her assessnt with surgical precision.
"Additionally, you absolutely need that paternity test. I refuse to believe this child belongs to you," Jude interjected.
"Exactly my thoughts. But why does she continue refusing the test?" Heidi demanded.
"Yara claims the procedure carries miscarriage risks and won’t endanger the pregnancy. Besides, testing can only occur later in the pregnancy anyway," I explained.
"Well, you’ve bought yourself ti. She’s in the early stages now. You must persuade her to test," Heidi insisted.
"Xavier and I are exploring every angle because Caleb becos too emotional and loses control," Jude added.
"Tell everything from the beginning," Heidi commanded.
We spent considerable ti briefing Heidi on every sordid detail of this nightmare with Roman’s twisted family, the organization’s precarious position, and the ongoing internal investigation. Xavier joined our impromptu war council, and we ordered takeout from our usual contact.
Eventually, I needed to stretch my legs after spending the morning reviewing shipping manifests on my computer screen. My body protested the prolonged confinent. I headed toward the break room for espresso, but paused outside when I heard Ivy’s voice. Uncertainty froze in place as I debated whether to enter. She was engaged in a phone conversation, and I caught fragnts of her words.
"Not at all, Parker. I understand you’re incredibly busy with your casino operations. How was your trip to Atlantic City? I expected you’d be away longer." Ivy’s voice carried genuine warmth. "Really? That’s wonderful news." She paused, listening intently. "A gift for ? Oh, Parker, that’s so thoughtful of you." Her laughter was musical as she absorbed his response. "Alright, Parker, when would you like to present this mysterious gift?" Another pause stretched between them. "Tomorrow works perfectly for . Where shall we et?" She was accepting another date with that casino owner. "No, you always surprise beautifully, and I adore the places you select. Perfect. I’ll see you tomorrow then. Take care." She disconnected the call, and through the door’s gap, I glimpsed the soft smile gracing her lips.
Parker certainly didn’t waste ti pursuing her. But I wouldn’t make his conquest easy. She might be dining with him, but thoughts of would consu her evening. I drew a steadying breath and entered the break room calmly. I closed the door behind and approached Ivy, who stood before the espresso machine preparing her drink. I positioned myself directly behind her, placing my hands on the counter on either side of her body. Ivy was completely trapped within my arms.
I inhaled her intoxicating perfu deeply. I pressed my body against hers, pinning her between the counter and my chest, my body responding imdiately to her proximity as arousal stirred within . I exhaled slowly and whispered against her ear.
"Another date with Parker, my treasure? Is this how things will be? Here I am, dying from wanting you, while you’re entertaining yourself with another man?" Jealousy consud entirely.
"Caleb..." she breathed heavily, gasping as she felt my hardness pressing against her back.
"Tell , my treasure. Tell if your body responds to him the way it does to ." I swept her hair aside and trailed kisses along her neck. I gently sucked her earlobe before continuing my assault of kisses, finally delivering a tender bite to her nape. Ivy was breathless beneath my touch.
"Caleb, please, don’t torture like this. Can’t you see how much I’m suffering because of you? But you’re getting engaged to Yara, and I must find a way to move forward with my life."
A tear traced down her cheek, and I gently turned her head to kiss the path that tear had carved, stopping near her mouth. I gazed into her eyes and saw my own overwhelming love reflected in those stunning green depths.
"My treasure, I don’t know how to exist without you anymore."
I turned her to face and kissed her with desperate intensity, love, and longing. It was a deep, consuming kiss. She lted into my embrace and responded with equal passion. Our lips were starved for each other. The need to be together was devouring us both. Our tears mingled as we kissed. When our lips finally separated, I held her tightly against my chest, stroking her hair as her head rested over my heart.
"My treasure, I know I’m being incredibly selfish. Parker is a decent man. But I can’t bear the thought of you with soone else. I managed to delay that cursed engagent for additional months. That’s sufficient ti to convince that viper to undergo paternity testing. This child might not be mine, Ivy. Please, just give this ti."
"And what happens if the child is yours?" she sobbed against my chest. "We’ll only have extended our suffering."
"Oh, my love... please forgive ," I pleaded desperately.
"I simply accepted a friend’s invitation, Caleb. It doesn’t an I’m pursuing a relationship with him. But I can’t drown in this misery. I have a son who needs ," she attempted to explain.
"How is our boy? I miss him desperately. I want to see him," I asked.
"He misses you too. But it’s better if you two don’t et anymore. I won’t risk Roman and his daughter targeting my son. He’s just a child. I’m terrified they might harm him." Her concern was justified.
"I understand completely. But can you tell him that I love him and miss him?"
"I will. He’ll be so happy to hear that. Thank you." She pulled back slightly and placed her hand against my face. "I’ll never love anyone the way I love you."
Ivy pressed a quick kiss to my lips and slipped from my embrace, leaving alone with only her lingering perfu. I collapsed into a chair and like a broken man, buried my head in my arms and let the tears fall freely.
When I finally composed myself, I returned to my office. I retrieved my phone and sent a ssage to my Ivy.
"I just want you to be happy."
I attempted to resu reviewing shipping routes, but my mind had already fled to distant places.
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