Chapter 111: Chapter 111 Drawing the Line
Caleb’s POV
I slumped into the leather chair in my private office at the back of the social club, feeling like someone had ripped my heart from my chest and fed it to the wolves. The pain was suffocating, each breath a struggle as tears carved burning paths down my face. This devastation felt familiar - the same hollow ache I’d experienced when my parents were blown to pieces in that car bombing. The kind of loss that leaves you gutted and bleeding inside. Without Ivy, I was slowly dying.
"Boss, those vultures are waiting downstairs in the main hall. I know you’re destroyed right now, but they ain’t budging," Xavier said, his voice cutting through the haze clouding my mind.
"Xavier, she walked away. Said there’s no future for us now. She won’t rip me away from my boy, and she’s going back to work Dominic’s crew," I said, the words tasting like poison on my tongue.
"Hold up, Caleb. We managed to fix part of this nightmare - she’s staying in the family." I looked at Xavier, struggling to understand what he meant. "She’ll report to me, and Jude stays with you, starting soon. Not perfect, but it keeps her close. Jude’s idea, and I gotta say, it’s genius."
"Thanks, brother. At least I’ll still see her," I said, clinging to this fragile thread of hope. "Tell the soldiers to escort that snake and her old man to the downstairs meeting room. Time to handle this mess. You coming with me?"
"Always, Caleb. We’re blood - I got your back no matter what goes down. After this, you’re crashing at my place. The whole crew’s rallying around you," Xavier said, squeezing my shoulder while the other capos nodded their support.
"What about Ivy, Xavier? And my son?" I asked, anxiety clawing at my throat.
"Easy, the wives organized a girls’ night at my place and they’re taking care of her," Jude said reassuringly. "And Carmen’s watching Max."
"Alright then, let’s go deal with these parasites," I said, forcing myself to stand.
I pushed through the meeting room doors to find those two leeches practically celebrating. Roman Rossi and his spawn looked like predators savoring their victory.
"Why’s he here? This is family business," Roman snarled, jerking his chin toward Xavier.
"Cut the garbage, Roman. This is syndicate business. Xavier’s my consigliere and my brother," I said coldly. "Sit down."
"Darling, aren’t you excited about the baby? I just know they’ll have your beautiful blue eyes." That viper slithered toward me, reaching for my neck.
"Don’t you dare touch me. Sit," I commanded with ice-cold fury. Her smug smile flickered but didn’t disappear as they took their seats.
"Let’s get straight to business. I seriously doubt this kid is mine..." I started, but Roman cut me off.
"How dare you disrespect my daughter, you arrogant piece of work!" Roman shot to his feet, jabbing his finger at me.
"Sit down and keep your mouth shut!" I roared. "We’re doing a DNA test."
"I won’t let anyone endanger my baby. While they’re growing inside me, I refuse that test. It could harm them!" Yara screeched like a banshee.
"Perfect, that just confirms what I suspected. No problem, when this kid shows up, we’re testing, even if I need to drag a judge into this," I replied with deadly calm. I was managing to stay rational despite the rage burning in my veins.
"Caleb, you will not dishonor my daughter. You have an obligation to marry her," Roman demanded.
"What era are you living in, Roman? Nobody does shotgun weddings anymore," Xavier interjected.
"My daughter deserves respect, and you won’t treat her like some street whore," Roman said. "I demand you marry her, Caleb."
"I’m not marrying her. If the child is mine, I’ll provide for the baby, but I won’t marry your daughter. I love Ivy and I always will - she’s the only woman I’ll ever take as my wife," I stated firmly.
That fraud Yara burst into theatrical tears and collapsed dramatically across the table. Roman panicked, frantically trying to revive the creature sprawled before us.
"Look what you’ve done. You’ve made my daughter sick. Quick, get water, help me!" Roman barked orders.
Xavier filled a glass from the pitcher on the table and handed it to Roman. He patted his daughter’s face gently, calling her name. Gradually, the pest stirred, accepted the water, sipped it, then resumed her wailing performance.
"You can’t abandon our child, Caleb. You must marry me, give our baby a proper famiglia. They need both parents under one roof."
Yara looked absolutely hideous while crying - mouth gaping, drooling, snot streaming down her face. The sight mesmerized me for a moment, and I felt hellfire coursing through my veins. It actually made me shudder. I seriously needed to start attending Mass more often.
"Don’t kid yourself, Yara. These days, co-parenting works just fine," Xavier said, snapping me from my dark thoughts.
"My decision is final, Yara, and you should accept it with dignity. I’m not marrying you. Soon, my lawyer will contact you to establish terms for the pregnancy, child support, medical appointments I’ll attend, and everything else," I said, laying down the law.
"Lawyers, Caleb? I’m carrying your child - you should be celebrating. This isn’t some business contract," Yara raged.
"Oh, but it absolutely is a contract, everything properly documented. I’m not celebrating having a child with a woman I despise," I said harshly.
"Don’t say that - our baby will feel rejected by their father," the harpy protested.
"I’m being honest. We’re finished here. Xavier, call the soldiers to remove these two," I said, completely done with their presence.
"This is ridiculous, Caleb. I’m part of this organization. And she’s carrying the future heir to this empire," Roman protested.
"Yeah, Roman, unfortunately you do work for me, but you’re off duty now. And this creature might be carrying my child, but inheriting anything in this famiglia is entirely different," I said, standing and turning away. At the door, I faced them one last time. "Oh, one more thing - you no longer have access to the back entrance, Roman." I left them both sputtering indignantly.
