Chapter 199: Chapter 199 Blood Means Nothing
Ivy’s POV
Several days had passed since Finn took a bullet during the warehouse raid that finally cornered Roman’s remaining associates. Our daily encrypted video calls had become my only source of peace, watching his face gradually heal despite the severity of his gunshot wounds. The family doctor assured us he was past the critical stage, though Roman Rossi himself remained a ghost in the wind, evading every tracker and informant in our network.
Tomorrow would mark the end of our extended family lockdown. My parents were scheduled to return to their safehouse, leaving only Finn’s parents behind at the compound. The thought of losing this heavily armed sanctuary filled with loved ones made my chest tighten. I had grown accustomed to being surrounded by bodyguards who treated me like royalty, but they promised their next visit wouldn’t be long.
The afternoon sun cast shadows across the fortified pool area as I reclined on the lounge chair beside my mother. Her encrypted phone’s sharp ring shattered our peaceful silence. She answered with visible irritation, spat a curt "No," and immediately disconnected.
"What’s eating at you, mom? Someone managed to ruffle your legendary composure?" I teased, studying her tense expression while my security detail maintained their vigilant positions around the perimeter.
"Nobody worth mentioning."
"Mom." My tone carried the authority I had learned from months as a mafia wife. "Spill it. What’s happening?"
"Nothing important."
We entered a stubborn standoff, neither willing to budge until Caleb and my father emerged from the armored house. Their curiosity was immediately piqued by the tension crackling between us. Caleb approached with his characteristic calm authority that commanded respect from every soldier in the organization, gently suggesting my mother share whatever was troubling her.
"Fine!" My mother’s composure finally cracked. "My sister refuses to stop harassing me about speaking with Ivy."
My father’s face darkened immediately, his hand instinctively moving toward his concealed weapon. "What does that bloodsucker want with you?"
"To discuss Brodie," my mother replied, her voice dripping with disgust at the name of the low-level thug who had betrayed our family.
My father’s jaw clenched. "Ever since that piece of garbage was thrown in federal prison, she’s been relentlessly tormenting your mother."
"Give me the phone, mom. Call her right now."
"Ivy, absolutely not!" My mother’s protective instincts flared, knowing how dangerous it was to show any weakness in our world.
"Call her, mother-in-law. She won’t quit until we handle this directly," Caleb’s voice carried gentle but firm persuasion, the same tone he used when ordering executions.
My mother reluctantly retrieved her encrypted phone, dialed the number, and placed it in my palm. I immediately activated the speaker function. Her sister’s voice emerged, already complaining.
"Diane, you must understand we’re family..."
"Now you suddenly remember we’re family, Gladys?" I cut through her whining before it could gain momentum, my voice carrying the steel I had learned from watching Caleb negotiate with rival families.
"Ivy, mind your tone with me. I’m your aunt."
"You’re nothing to me. You’re merely my mother’s sister. State what you want. Why this constant harassment of a made man’s family?"
"Disrespectful brat! Now that you’ve married into the Thorne crime family, you’ve forgotten about blood completely. You didn’t even invite us to witness your oath ceremony..."
"Listen carefully, Gladys. If your goal is complaining about wedding invitations to a private mafia ceremony, stop wasting both our time. Don’t expect invitations to anything else in my life. You’re not part of this world. If that’s everything, have a pleasant day."
I moved to disconnect, but her desperate shout stopped me.
"Wait, Ivy! Please don’t hang up!"
"Say what you want. Now."
"Ivy, Brodie is your cousin’s husband. My grandson was born and still doesn’t know his father. You have to help get him out of federal prison!"
"I don’t have to do anything, Gladys. He should have considered that before helping that traitor Roman kidnap and chain my son to a warehouse pipe."
"Ivy, show mercy!"
"Mercy for a low-life soldier who only brought me harm? For a pathetic man who put a gun to a child’s head - MY SON?" My voice rose to a shout that made several bodyguards look our way. "No. I have zero mercy for dead men walking."
"Ivy, then for my daughter’s sake, help me get her husband released from federal custody."
The phone was suddenly passed to someone else. My cousin Tiffany’s voice replaced her mother’s.
"We used to be like sisters, Ivy."
"I considered you a sister, Tiffany, but you betrayed me, humiliated me, and mistreated me whenever possible. I pity your son who bears no responsibility for this mess, but I won’t lift a finger to help the man who sold information to Roman about my child’s location."
"Ivy, he’s filled with remorse. He wants to see you, to apologize properly," Tiffany’s voice took on that whining quality I recognized as pure manipulation. "He wants to make amends, and so do I. Give me your address and I’ll visit, cousin. I’ll bring my son to meet his little cousin."
"Don’t you dare, you snake! If you show your face at this compound, I’ll have my husband’s soldiers drag you off the property in body bags. I’ll call our contacts in federal law enforcement. I’m capable of making your life hell. Don’t you dare appear in front of me..."
The phone was suddenly snatched from my grasp.
"Ladies, this is Ivy’s husband speaking." Caleb’s voice carried deadly calm authority that had silenced courtrooms and burial grounds alike. "I’m issuing you both a warning. Stay away - far away - from my family, or I’ll ensure you both join Brodie and his accomplice in federal prison. You’re well aware I possess both power and substantial resources in the underworld, which means I always get what I want. If my mother-in-law chooses to maintain contact with you, I respect her decision. However, near my wife and children, none of you will come close. Are we crystal clear?"
Caleb ended the call, returned the phone to my mother, and knelt beside my chair.
"My angel, are you alright?"
"Yes, Caleb. These people caused me tremendous pain, and now they have the audacity to demand family loyalty they never respected," I replied with obvious contempt. "I’m sorry, mom."
"Diane, I apologize, but I won’t permit them anywhere near Ivy or my children."
"You have nothing to apologize for. I completely agree with your position. That’s exactly why I didn’t want you speaking with them. Gladys and I are sisters, but we never maintained a good relationship. I severed ties with her permanently when Max was kidnapped. She’s the one who keeps calling me," my mother explained, looking somewhat embarrassed by the family drama.
"Father-in-law, are you certain about leaving tomorrow? I’m genuinely concerned about Roman’s remaining associates," Caleb addressed my father with obvious worry.
"We must resume our normal lives, son. We’ll manage fine with proper precautions," my father assured him with confidence.
"I’ve already deployed a full tactical security team to your location. You’ll remain with them constantly, correct?" Caleb pressed for confirmation.
"Yes, we’ve agreed to stay with your armed personnel until this maniac is captured or eliminated," my father confirmed.
Both Caleb and I released simultaneous sighs of relief, though the underlying tension remained palpable in our dangerous world.
