Chapter 168: Chapter 168 Safe Return Home
Caleb’s POV
I paced across the penthouse suite floor when my encrypted phone buzzed. Detective Sanchez, one of our contacts inside the police, was calling through a secure channel. My pulse hammered against my ribs as I answered.
"Sanchez here, Mr. Thorne."
"Detective." My voice came out rougher than intended, the tension of the past days weighing heavily.
"Sir, please sit down for this." Sanchez’s voice faded as he spoke to someone off-camera. The secure video feed shifted, and my world stopped spinning.
Ivy’s face filled the screen.
"Caleb! Thank God!" I choked out, my vision blurring as relief crashed over me like a tidal wave. "Everyone, we found her!"
The room erupted in cheers and applause from my capos and their wives gathered behind me.
"I’m safe, Caleb, but please tell me about Max. Have they found our son?" Her voice cracked with the same desperation that had been eating me alive.
"He’s safe, tesoro. They extracted him from Greenleaf territory. He’s flying here now with the Taylor family operatives." I watched her shoulders collapse with relief, tears streaming down her beautiful face.
"Oh thank God. I was so terrified, Caleb. I thought those animals might have hurt him."
"It’s over now. Let me speak with Sanchez." She handed the secure phone back to our inside man. "Detective, when can you bring her home to me?"
"We need to make a stop at our safe house medical facility for examination, then a brief debrief at the station for appearances. After that, she’s free to return to your protection."
"Does this all have to happen tonight? She’s carrying our child, and she’s been through hell."
"Given her delicate condition, I’ll personally escort her to the medical check, but we can postpone the formal statement until tomorrow morning. Does that work for you, Don Thorne?"
"Perfect. I’m in your debt, Sanchez."
"She’ll be back in your arms within a few hours, sir."
"That feels like an eternity."
"Mr. Thorne, we’re a long distance from Port Serenity, plus the medical examination. Contact me directly if you need anything."
"Understood. What about the animals who took her?"
"We arrested both contractors. Brothers named Caleb and Fisher. They’re being held in isolation pending your family’s decision on their fate."
"Excellent. Now we just need to corner that snake Rossi and end this war."
I terminated the call and immediately contacted our safe house to update our security team and staff. Walter confirmed all preparations were in place for their return.
"Caleb, now that Ivy and Max are secured, I’m restructuring our tactical operations." Zoe approached with updated intelligence reports. "Sanchez confirmed Rossi is still at large with a handful of loyalists, so he remains our primary target."
"Agreed." I collapsed onto the leather sofa, burying my face in my hands. "Can you coordinate the hunt for now? I won’t be able to focus until I have them both safe in my territory."
"Leave it to me, monster." Zoe jabbed my shoulder with her usual irreverence.
"I’m actually growing fond of that nickname."
"And I love being your resident psychopath." She grinned wickedly. "We make one hell of a team protecting your family."
"Damn right we do."
"Listen up, people!" Zoe turned to address the room full of capos and soldiers. "The hired muscle has been neutralized. Ivy and Max are safe and coming home. Now we hunt down the mastermind himself. All resources focus on tracking Rossi and his remaining cells."
I walked to the bar and poured myself a generous measure of whiskey. In the early morning hours, Detective Adler called to confirm Ivy was finishing her medical examination and would be delivered to me soon. Shortly after, Xavier informed me that our allies from the Taylor family had just landed at our private airstrip. They were here with Max!
I headed to the lobby and began pacing again. I couldn’t go collect my son because I was waiting for Ivy’s escort. I couldn’t go find Ivy because I was expecting Max’s arrival. The helplessness was driving me insane.
I was practically wearing grooves in the marble floor when the private elevator chimed. The doors opened and Ivy rushed out, flying into my arms with a sob. I held her against me, unable to stop the tears of relief.
"Are you hurt? Did those bastards touch you? Is our baby safe?" The questions tumbled out frantically.
"We’re both fine. No one harmed me." She clung to me like I might vanish into smoke.
When we finally separated, I turned to the officer who’d accompanied her.
"Good morning, Don Thorne. Detective Adler." The corrupt cop who’d helped orchestrate her rescue looked exhausted. "Apologies for the delay returning her to your protection."
"Detective, what matters is she’s here and unharmed."
"I heard my colleague from Greenleaf pulled off outstanding work with help from a very impressive undercover operative." Adler had clearly been briefed on the entire operation.
"Madeline Taylor could teach our best soldiers a thing or two." I smiled grimly. "Detective, please make yourself comfortable. There’s food and coffee. You must be exhausted."
"Much appreciated, Don Thorne. Never refuse good coffee when you’re in this line of work." Adler was seasoned, a veteran with the calm demeanor of someone who’d survived decades in the dirty intersection of law and organized crime. "I’d also like to check in with my team."
"Of course. Gemma, please escort Detective Adler to my office and get him whatever he needs."
I watched Gemma wipe away tears as she embraced Ivy with obvious relief.
Lila also rose from the strategy table to hug her friend, though she kept it brief, saying she had urgent family business to handle.
I pulled Ivy close again when the elevator opened once more. A tall man in tactical gear stepped out, followed by figures I recognized from the Taylor crime family. Madeline Taylor, the most dangerous undercover operative in the northeast, held my sleeping son. Max looked peaceful in the arms of the woman who’d saved his life. Ivy immediately ran to them while I stood frozen, my body finally beginning to release the tension that had gripped me for days.
"Caleb." Wyatt’s father, Dr. Taylor’s brother, greeted me with his family’s characteristic dignity. "Allow me to introduce Detective Daniel from Greenleaf territory."
"Detective, I owe you everything." I shook his hand firmly, meaning every word.
"Just doing my job, Don Thorne. Besides, Xavier’s an old friend, which makes you family."
I thanked him and asked Gemma to escort the detective to refreshments.
I approached Ivy and wrapped my arms around her and my sleeping son, then embraced Madeline Taylor.
"Madeline, there are no words for what you did today. You saved my heir."
"Sweetheart, I’m a mother myself. This little angel could melt anyone’s heart. I’d never let those animals harm him." Madeline’s smile was warm despite the steel beneath.
"You’re the deadliest undercover operative on the East Coast."
Zoe and Finn approached, both visibly emotional, needing to see Ivy and Max with their own eyes to believe they were truly safe and home.
