Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask novel Chapter 503

Chapter 503: Chapter 99 Double the Stakes

Claire’s POV

The summer heat was suffocating as I dragged myself home from the family’s private chapel service, my silk blouse clinging uncomfortably to my skin. All I craved was a cold shower and an iced martini to wash away the day’s exhaustion. Playing the part of the grieving mafia widow whose husband had vanished into witness protection was a performance that drained every ounce of my energy. Listening to endless condolences from the other family wives about my “coward” husband Nathaniel who had fled rather than face the Commission’s judgment was tedious beyond measure. Truth be told, his disappearance had been a blessing. I had grown sick of his weak leadership long ago, but maintaining the facade of a devastated Don’s wife was essential for preserving my position in the Sullivan organization.

“Tessa! Where the hell are you, Tessa?” I barked for my housekeeper, annoyed by her typical sluggishness.

She eventually emerged from the kitchen, drying her hands nervously on her apron. The woman had served our famiglia for decades but still moved like she was walking through a minefield. “Yes, Mrs. Sullivan?”

“Where’s Justin?”

“He’s sleeping, ma’am. Had his afternoon rest after the tutoring session.”

“Get me something cold before I collapse from this heat.” The housekeeper hurried away, returning shortly with a crystal tumbler filled with ice and premium vodka. I noticed her anxious expression as she placed the drink in my hands. “Speak up, Tessa. What’s eating at you now?”

“Ma’am, your stepson Beckett came by earlier today.”

My blood turned to ice in an instant. “What was that ungrateful bastard doing in my home? Did you actually allow him inside?” I had explicitly forbidden that dangerous man from entering my territory. Even after Lila’s escape to the city, he hadn’t dared show his face here – until today.

“Ma’am, I couldn’t refuse him entry. He walked right in saying he needed to wait for you, then ordered espresso like he owned the place…”

“You left that snake alone in my house? Are you completely out of your mind?”

“Ma’am, he demanded coffee, so I went to prepare it. When I returned, that arrogant man spat it out and complained it wasn’t up to famiglia standards.” Tessa’s weathered face twisted with wounded pride.

“Well, your espresso is garbage compared to what they serve at the social clubs,” I had to admit. “Did he go anywhere else in the house?”

“He used the private study’s washroom, ma’am.”

“And you permitted that too? Worthless woman!”

“When I brought the coffee service, he was already coming down from upstairs. Said he’d used the facilities. I never even saw him go up there, ma’am.”

“Madonna mia, you’re useless! Get out of my sight before I throw this glass at your empty head.”

She scurried away like a frightened mouse, leaving me to contemplate Beckett’s unexpected reconnaissance mission. What intelligence was he gathering in my private quarters?

The front gate’s security buzzer interrupted my brooding. Tessa rushed past me toward the reinforced entrance. So much for my plans of relaxation and strategizing – disrupted once again by unwanted intrusions.

“Good afternoon, Claire!” Connor’s gravelly voice boomed through the marble foyer. His presence at my family compound was highly irregular – he and Nathaniel had maintained an uneasy business relationship at best, never social calls.

“Connor? What brings the casino king to my humble residence?” I asked, genuinely puzzled by this parade of unexpected male visitors to my domain.

“Just dropping by for a friendly chat about our mutual business venture.” Perfect – this ruthless old bastard was probably here to renegotiate our agreement regarding his worthless son’s engagement to Lila.

“I already assured you I’ll retrieve the girl from her little rebellion. Don’t concern yourself with the details.”

“Oh, I’m not worried one bit. I know your reputation well enough to trust you’ll deliver results. But we need to discuss modifying the terms of our arrangement.” My jaw clenched involuntarily – he’d better not be contemplating reducing my agreed-upon compensation.

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