Ivy’s POV
I finished coordinating the confidential territory briefing eting with Jude for tomorrow and sent Heidi a ssage to confirm her availability. Once those details were sorted, I dove back into my remaining classified tasks.
About an hour later, I heard Caleb’s office door slam open with enough force to crack the reinforced fra. Before I could react, he was leaning over my chair, his hands gripping both armrests, effectively caging like a predator cornering its prey. His face was inches from mine, those ice-blue eyes burning with an intensity that made my breath catch and my pulse spike with danger.
"Ivy, listen to very carefully." His voice was low and rough, carrying a lethal edge that made every word feel like a command from a man who wasn’t used to being denied. "This situation between us ends today. I won’t accept any more gas or evasions. Clear your fucking schedule because we’re not leaving this office until we settle this like the adults we are."
He held my gaze for what felt like an eternity, the air between us crackling with unspoken violence and desire. Then he straightened abruptly, turned on his heel, and stalked back to his office, the door slamming behind him with even more force than before—a sound that spoke of barely leashed fury.
I sat there completely stunned, my heart hamring against my ribs like it was trying to escape, when Xavier walked in looking thoroughly bewildered.
"Ivy, what the fuck happened to Caleb during that video conference?"
I blinked several tis, trying to regain my composure before answering.
"I honestly have no idea, Xavier. Was there so kind of problem?" The lie rolled off my tongue smoothly, but guilt twisted in my stomach like a blade.
"He seed completely distracted, like his mind was sowhere else entirely," Xavier said, glancing toward Caleb’s closed door with genuine concern. "Anyway, I’ve already confird with Heidi that you two will be joining us for dinner tonight. I absolutely won’t take no for an answer."
"I’d be honored to join you, Xavier, assuming my Don doesn’t object."
"Your Don has plenty of other things to worry about right now," Xavier muttered darkly as he headed into Caleb’s fortress.
I quickly grabbed my phone and texted Zoe, explaining that I’d be ho late due to a business dinner and asking if Carn could stay longer to watch Max. Her response ca back almost imdiately, telling to enjoy myself and that she’d spoil her godson rotten. I couldn’t help but smile at her ssage.
My good mood evaporated the mont Roman Rossi entered the outer office, his expression thunderous enough to kill. He was an imposing figure, tall and lanky with a ridiculous mustache, graying hair, and sharp, predatory eyes that seed to miss nothing. From the mont Heidi had introduced him, sothing about the man had set off every alarm bell I possessed.
He stopped directly in front of my desk, his gaze filled with contempt and barely contained murderous rage as he spoke in a harsh, cutting tone that made my skin crawl.
"So you’re the little nobody who humiliated my daughter yesterday. Because of your interference, Caleb embarrassed her publicly and his attack dog had to escort her out like common trash. But mark my words, you insignificant little secretary, this won’t stand. I’ll make sure he throws you out of here so fast your head will spin."
He slamd his palm down on my desk with enough force to make my coffee cup jump and my computer monitor shake, then turned toward Caleb’s door like he owned the place. I shot to my feet, adrenaline flooding my system like liquid fire, and positioned myself between him and the door, my back pressed against it like a human shield.
"Mr. Rossi, I’m going to have to ask you to wait while I check if Mr. Thorne is available to see you. I apologize, but I’m following direct orders."
The man’s face went white with fury, then flushed red with homicidal rage. He completely lost control, his hand shooting out to grab my throat as he shouted loud enough for the entire floor to hear.
"Who the hell do you think you are, you worthless little bitch? I’m the underboss of this organization. I go where I want, when I want, and you’re nobody to tell otherwise."
His grip tightened around my throat, cutting off my air supply, and for a terrifying mont I thought he might actually kill right here. Suddenly, the door behind burst open like an explosion and I felt Caleb’s powerful arm wrap around my waist, pulling away from Roman’s crushing grip with lethal efficiency. The underboss wasted no ti going on the offensive.
"Caleb, you won’t believe this. This woman just insulted gravely and threatened ."
Pressed against Caleb’s chest, I could feel the murderous fury radiating from him, his breathing heavy and controlled like a predator preparing to strike. When he spoke, his voice was ice-cold and deadly calm—the tone of a man who had killed before and would do it again.
"Roman, first of all, lower your fucking voice imdiately. Let make several things crystal clear to you. First, from what I heard perfectly well, Ms. Brooks didn’t insult you whatsoever. Quite the opposite, in fact, and you owe her an apology. Second, she’s not my secretary. She’s my executive assistant and has my complete and total protection. Third, you know damn well that you need clearance before entering my office. This isn’t news to anyone. Fourth, and most importantly, if this is how you treat the people under my protection, I need to seriously reconsider your position in this family because I will not tolerate disrespect toward my people under any circumstances."
"But Caleb, I was just trying to..." Roman began, his tone suddenly wheedling and desperate.
"Never set foot on the executive floor again without being specifically summoned," Caleb cut him off, his voice sharp enough to cut steel. "Monica, get in here now."
Monica appeared in the doorway so quickly she might have been waiting outside with a weapon. "Yes, Mr. Thorne."
"Monica, escort Mr. Rossi to the street imdiately. Schedule a disciplinary eting between Mr. Rossi and myself for first thing tomorrow morning. The eting will take place in his office. After he leaves, co to my office."
"Absolutely, sir. Mr. Rossi, if you’d follow please." Monica’s voice was perfectly professional, but I caught the gleam of deadly satisfaction in her eyes.
"Oh, and Roman," Caleb added, his tone carrying an unmistakable threat of violence. "If you ever lay a finger on Ms. Brooks or any other person under my protection again, you’ll be looking for new employnt in hell. Are we clear?"
Still holding securely against his side like I was sothing precious to be protected, Caleb guided into his office and closed the door firmly behind us. His grip remained protective as he led to the chair in front of his desk and gently but firmly made sit down.
The Don was clearly ready to go to war for , and that realization sent a dangerous thrill through my system that I tried desperately to ignore.
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