Chapter 106: Chapter 106 The Setup Complete
Caleb’s POV
The encrypted phone buzzed just as Ivy settled onto my lap in the executive office, her warmth distracting me from the money laundering reports scattered across my mahogany desk.
"Don Thorne, we need backup at the warehouse right now," my lieutenant’s voice crackled through the secure line, urgency cutting through the static.
Damn it. I terminated the call with a sharp exhale, pressed a quick kiss to Ivy’s lips in apology, and helped her slide off my lap. The moment we stepped out of my office into the Thorne Group’s main floor, pandemonium greeted us like a slap across the face.
"What the hell is happening here," I roared, fury exploding through my chest like molten steel.
The scene before me resembled something from a blood feud in Little Italy. Monica had Gemma pinned against the marble floor, straddling her like some deranged enforcer collecting a debt. Her manicured claws raked through Gemma’s hair while her other hand delivered vicious slaps. Gemma writhed beneath the assault, arms raised defensively as she screamed for mercy. Two of my soldiers flanked them, pulling uselessly at Monica’s shoulders, but she had locked her legs around Gemma’s torso like a vise.
"You scheming witch. You worthless piece of garbage. I will destroy you completely. I will tear your eyes from your skull, you demon spawn," Monica shrieked like a woman possessed by vendetta itself.
"Congratulations, you psychotic harpy, now crawl back to whatever sewer spawned you after this pathetic display," Gemma shot back from beneath the brutal attack.
"Xavier, Jude, get Monica off Gemma immediately," I barked at my stunned subordinates.
Finally snapping into action, they joined the soldiers and me in restraining Monica while Xavier carefully unwound Gemma’s hair from her death grip. Only then could we pry Monica away as Xavier and Ivy helped Gemma to her feet, guiding her to a reception chair.
"You waltz in here acting like you own this territory. Learn your place. I have earned my position here, I am the valued operative," Monica snarled, still struggling against our iron hold.
"Want respect? Visit a church where they pray to delusional saints," Gemma fired back, Ivy and Xavier steadying her trembling frame.
Ivy had already summoned security, who formed a human barrier between the two combatants while we maintained our restraint on Monica.
"You jealous snake. You want my position, but you will never succeed in this family," Monica continued her tirade.
"Honey, this roach thinks she rules the underworld. Looking at your face, we can confirm the devil works overtime, cannot we, his faithful servant," Gemma responded with venom.
"Don Thorne, Don Thorne, this witch is destroying me, sir. She wants you to eliminate me from the family. She told me she will make you cast me out," Monica began sobbing dramatically.
"Even pathological liars show more restraint. Reality check, you delusional scarecrow, your paranoid fantasies would not convince a desperate fool," Gemma blazed with righteous anger.
"Silence. Both of you stop talking immediately. This is not some street corner turf war," I completely lost my composure and bellowed. Finally, blessed quiet descended. "Everyone stay quiet. Did anyone witness how this bloodbath started?"
"I observed everything, Don Thorne," Jude stepped forward. "Gemma was informing Monica that tomorrow the reception area would be restructured for your requested security modifications. Monica became aggressive because she believes she should be implementing changes and making decisions due to her longer service to the family."
"You despise me, Jude. That is complete fabrication. You are manufacturing lies. This will not end here, Jude," Monica seeethed.
"Listen, Monica, I will finance your one-way ticket to nowhere, understood?" Jude replied with exasperation.
"I stated that is sufficient, Monica," I spoke with mounting irritation.
"I witnessed it also, Don Thorne," Katelyn raised her hand tentatively. "Jude described it accurately, and Monica has been targeting Gemma from her first day. I have observed Monica being hostile to Gemma repeatedly and physically grabbing her arm aggressively."
I examined Gemma carefully. She was shaking, hair disheveled, clothing wrinkled, with angry scratches marking her arm, red handprints blazing across her cheek, and a thin cut splitting her lower lip. I turned to Monica, who appeared merely tousled but bore no visible injuries.
"Gemma, did you strike Monica?" I asked with forced calm.
"No, Don Thorne, I only attempted to protect myself by blocking her attacks, but my defense proved inadequate," Gemma answered, gesturing toward her battered face.
"Do you want me to contact our lawyers? Will you press charges through our legal channels?" I questioned Gemma directly.
"Don Thorne, this is ridiculous..." Monica began protesting.
"Silence, Monica," I snapped, cutting her off instantly. "No, Don Thorne," Gemma declined.
"Monica, you are terminated from this family for cause, specifically for physically assaulting a fellow operative. Since we have multiple witnesses, I trust you will not challenge this decision. Collect your belongings. Security will escort you to Human Resources for immediate termination processing," I declared without hesitation.
"Don Thorne, you cannot treat me this way after years of loyal service," Monica pleaded through streaming tears.
"Absolutely I can, this is my organization. I refuse to tolerate such behavior within my ranks, and I maintain complete authority over hiring and firing. I want you removed from my territory permanently," I stated with finality.
Monica clutched her purse while I contacted HR with termination instructions. I requested Jude and Katelyn accompany her as official witnesses, and directed security to escort Monica from the building completely, establishing that her access to all Thorne properties was permanently revoked.
Sasha brought ice for Gemma’s swollen face while Ivy retrieved the first aid kit to treat her lip wound.
After they disappeared into the elevator, I leaned against the reception desk, folded my arms across my chest, and studied Gemma, who sat beside Ivy as she rubbed her back soothingly.
"Now, Gemma, explain exactly what transpired here," I requested, knowing she had deliberately provoked Monica.
"You needed justification to eliminate her, correct? I provided that justification," Gemma stated matter-of-factly. "No chance I was allowing that serpent near Ivy. The moment you arrived, she grabbed her phone and called Rossi to report our every move."
Laughter bubbled up from my chest, and Gemma joined in.
Everyone stared at us with complete bewilderment.
"Gemma has been deliberately provoking Monica since starting here. Our plan was exactly to create grounds for termination. We expected Monica to lose control and reveal too much, but I never anticipated physical violence. How do I explain this to Dominic? He will want my head on a platter," I clarified our scheme while still chuckling.
"I cannot believe you orchestrated this. Pure manipulation worthy of the old country," Xavier began laughing. "I wondered why Gemma never retaliated physically."
"The temptation was overwhelming, Xavier, but retaliation would have given her ammunition against the family," Gemma explained.
"Gemma, take the rest of the day off," I offered.
"Absolutely not. I have substantial work, and Ivy returned today. I am thrilled to collaborate with my partner," Gemma responded enthusiastically.
"You realize I must inform Dominic before you tell Mandy, and he will arrive here shortly, correct?" I asked, knowing my capo’s inevitable fury.
"I will handle Dominic, Don Thorne. I should visit the restroom to repair myself," Gemma decided.
"Take whatever time necessary, Gemma. Thank you tremendously. Today I am treating you ladies to lunch at the finest establishment in Little Italy," I told her and Ivy with genuine gratitude. "Come on, Xavier, let us brief Jude on what happened." Jude had returned from HR and was watching me with obvious curiosity.
