LOGINDelia Herrick is a twenty-five-year-old woman, she was devasted and felt betrayed when she found out her boyfriend was cheating on her. To make things worse, she had unknowingly made herself a target after a brief encounter with the vicious mafia lord Leandro Cavalli. She had used him to get to her boyfriend so she could catch him in the act, Leandro Cavalli was known to have no weakness but he was spotted with her, a curvy plus-size woman. She found herself in a life threatening situation when his rivals kidnapped her and forced her to an agreement to spy on him. She managed to get on his bed for just one night, determined to accomplish her mission and get out unscathed. He doesn't spare traitors and she won't be any different. One night wasn't enough for her and little did she know it wasn't enough for him either. What happens when he asks her to fake date him for six months? She had finally gotten the chance to do what she was ordered to do, but will she be able to pull off tricking the city’s most dangerous mafia? Will she succeed and survive or will she die trying to play a dangerous game of hearts?
View MoreCHAPTER ONE
DELIA.
The night air was refreshing, streets bustling with lights and cars driving around, my heels were killing me but the determination to see what Galvin was doing in a five-star hotel was overwhelming.
When I saw my best friend's text I almost went mad. Carrie claimed she saw Galvin in this hotel with a beautiful girl and I rushed here as soon as I heard, ditching my job.
My nails dug into my palm, anger simmering inside me as I stared at the massive building with guards at the entrance. I didn't even have the time to change out of the ugly dull brown gown I wore this morning with no clue I would be going to the Golden Hills hotel.
My heels were just as worn out as my dress and from the look of things I won't be allowed in, a black Rolls-Royce Phantom stopped a couple of meters away from me and I watched as another Bentley stopped behind it.
The driver came out and rushed to open the back seat door, I looked at the guards to find their gaze on the expensive cars.
What do I do now?
I looked back at the cars to find out a man clad in a black suit had stepped out, and the driver bowed as he fixed his dark shades.
Who wears glasses at night?
I didn't have the time to dwell on that cause from the way the guards at that entrance stood like they had rods in their spine, I instantly knew the man was important, a thought popped up in my head and before I knew it I was already walking towards his direction.
I need to get inside this hotel, I don't care if hanging on a stranger's arm is what is going to work then I will do it. Galvin better have a good explanation for going to a hotel with another woman.
It better not be what I'm thinking.
I strode in his direction and as he headed for the steps, I followed beside him and linked my right arm around his left arm, he froze and I lifted my gaze. He was intimidatingly taller than me, with broad shoulders and hard muscles, even with the suit it was easy to tell the gym must be his second home.
His sharp chiseled jawline looked like it could cut through a diamond with faint stubble and hollow cheekbones, although I couldn't see his eyes I could tell he was handsome, maybe even a popular model.
"I'm sorry, but I need your help to get in, if you don't mind" I noticed six men were walking towards us and his jaw clenched as if I irritated him.
"Please" I added desperately, batting my eyelashes.
He raised his other hand and the men halted in their tracks then he suddenly started moving.
He didn't say a word and as we passed the guards at the entrance they bowed to the waist in greeting, and I heaved a sigh of relief as soon as we passed the revolving door leading into the hotel lobby.
I was about to let him go when his arm tightened on mine and I furrowed my brows, "Thank you for helping me I would be on my way now" I bowed slightly trying to rip my arm away from his grip.
He didn't bulge and just continued walking towards the receptionist counter. I looked over my shoulder to find the men he stopped earlier walking behind us, their scary expressions made my palms sweaty, I had no idea what the man was going to do with me.
Oh God, does he think I'm a slut?
"Um. Sir, I think you must be mistaken, I don't-"
"You wanted a way in, and I'm giving you one" He interrupted, his voice gravelling and smoky, like ice on warm liquor wrapped in an Italian accent.
He was right, I need to find a way inside, the receptionist greeted him warmly and handed a golden keycard to him, my bet is the guy must be a regular. We walked towards the elevator and I could feel eyes on us conscious of how they were staring and whispering.
We entered the elevator and his guards followed standing behind us, immediately the door shut I yanked my hand from his grip. Now aware that I was in the same space with strangers, he didn't say anything or even regard me.
When we got to the first floor I checked my phone to be sure if it was the floor Carrie said, then I started searching for the room while Mr Mysterious went in the other direction with his men.
I didn't have any keycards so I settled for waiting in the hallway, I waited for almost an hour pacing in the hallway while trying to figure out how to find Galvin, then the last door opened. My eyes widened when Galvin walked out with his boss Aliyah.
They were holding hands looking like lovers.
Aliyah was dressed in a beautiful sparkling short gown unlike the ugly one I had on, she was prettier than me with fair skin and a slender body, unlike me, who's a bit on the plus size.
Galvin said something looking down at her with affectionate eyes and she blushed giggling, my heart shattered into pieces.
"Galvin?" I called,managing to sound stable despite my chin trembling and the tears threatening to break free.
He lifted his gaze and his eyes almost popped out of their sockets, Aliyah stopped narrowing her brows as she frowned.
"Delia I-"
"Seriously? This is your boys' night out?" I scoffed, shaking my head.
"What's going on?" Aliyah asked, looking at the cheating bastard.
"Why is your sister here?" She added, appearing confused.
Sister?!
He told her I'm his sister?
Tears blurred my vision spilling down my cheeks, I'm such an idiot.
"Is that what you told her? You told her I'm your sister, that's why we live together, right?" I sniffed, wiping my tears but more flowed down my chin.
"I- I-it's not what you think, Del, let's talk about it-"
"We're done. Come get your things from the apartment else I will throw them out, sleeping with your boss was one thing but lying to her about us is another, I hope it was worth it" I turned to leave but a hard grip on my hand stopped me.
"Delia wait!"
Just then the fire alarm started blaring and all the doors opened. People rushed out of their rooms, I yanked my hand free from his grip and walked in the direction of the elevator I used to come up.
I spotted the black suits at the other end of the hallway heading deeper instead of leaving. There was no time to be concerned about that, not when my life was in danger, thick smoke filled the air and the elevator was packed with others trying to make it down.
My breathing turned ragged, the tight feeling in my chest extended to my throat, I started coughing profusely then I was choking and gasping for air.
Tears burned in my eyes as I suffocated.
I'm not going to die here.
I refuse to die in such a pathetic manner.
The elevator opened and everyone staggered out, the whole place was in chaos, everyone was rushing out of the hotel. I managed to drag myself out of the elevator reaching for my bag, I found my inhaler and quickly used it.
The two puffs sent my panicked heart to start beating steadily and I exhaled in relief, I headed for the door like everyone else and pushed through, thankfully I got out before the top of the building blew up and someone screamed saying their dogs were still in there.
I need to get out of this vicinity before the whole building blows up, plus the cops would be here soon the sirens were getting closer.
I flagged down a taxi glancing back at the burning building, I hope Galvin and his boss made it out because it would be a pain if I'm the last person they talked to, talking to cops about my pathetic ex-boyfriend and the woman he was cheating on me with would make me lose my mind.
Then my eyes caught the man striding out of the hotel, that guy from earlier who helped me in, nonchalantly fixing his cufflinks and checking his wristwatch while heading towards his car. One of the guards opened the car door for him and he hopped in, the cars drove off and I could have sworn I saw a gun with one of the guards.
"Ma'am, are you getting in or what?" The driver snapped me out of my thoughts.
I got into the taxi and gave him my address, throughout the drive home I kept thinking of how I narrowly escaped death.
My boyfriend turned out to be cheating on me with his boss, I might as well have been the other woman judging from how confused she looked.
What a shitty night.
Epilogue: The King and His QueenThe sun began to set over the Cavalli estate across the stone balcony. It had been weeks since the nightmare in the woods, and the air in the house finally felt like it belonged to the living again.Recovery had not been a sprint; it was a slow, agonizing crawl. But Leandro Cavalli, a man who usually had no patience for anything, had found all the time in the world for Delia.He spent every morning sitting by her bed, watching the color slowly return to her cheeks. The doctors were amazed by her spirit. Most people would have been broken by what she had endured, the kidnapping, the cold, the terrifying run through the dark. But Delia was different. She was a fire that refused to be put out.One afternoon, a man in a sharp grey suit arrived at the mansion. He wasn't one of Leandro’s soldiers or a business associate from the Five Families. He was Mr. Sterling, a lawyer representing the ancient estate of the Callista family.Leandro met him in the study
LeandroThree more days passed. Three days of a silence so thick it felt like I was drowning in it.The mansion, which used to feel like a fortress of power, now felt like a giant, cold tomb. I went through the motions. I wore the suits. I sat at the head of the long mahogany table in the dining room. But I wasn't there. My mind was always two hallways away, in the room where the machines hummed and my wife’s heart beat in a slow, tired rhythm.Business didn't stop because my world had. The Commission was restless. Silvio’s death had left a vacuum in the Bronx, and the other families were sniffing around like vultures. I had to show them I was still the Ice-Man. I had to show them that I hadn't gone soft."The shipment from Chicago is late, Leandro," one of my captains said during a morning meeting in my study. "The Outfit is asking for a higher percentage because of the 'instability' in New York."I looked at him. I didn't blink. I didn't even speak for a full minute. I just star
LeandroI didn't let go of Delia’s hand for a single second. Her skin was so cold it felt like I was holding a piece of marble. Every few minutes, I would lean down and press my ear to her chest, just to make sure the universe hadn't stolen her breath again."Drive faster!" I roared at the driver."We’re doing ninety, Boss!" he yelled back."Then do a hundred!"When we finally pulled into the driveway, my private medical team was already waiting. They moved with military precision, lifting her onto a gurney. I followed them through the halls, my bloodstained boots leaving marks on the white marble.Alexa was right there with us, her face a mask of worry. She tried to step into the medical wing, but the doctor stopped her."Wait here, Miss Cavalli," the doctor said firmly. He looked at me. "You too, Leandro. I need space to work.""If she doesn't wake up, doctor," I said, my voice low and dangerous, "this house becomes a tomb. Do you understand me?""I understand," The doctor said,
LeandroI had just left the gym when the sound of tires screaming against the gravel driveway reached my ears. I didn't even have to look to know it was Matteo. He usually drove like a professional, but this… this was the driving of a man who had finally found what he was looking for.I met him at the main entrance. Matteo jumped out of the car before it even fully stopped, his face flushed and his eyes bright with adrenaline."Boss! We got a hit!" he shouted, waving a tablet in the air. "One of the burner phones Silvio used to call his old crew blipped for five seconds. We tracked the tower. It’s an old hunting lodge in the Catskills. It’s registered to a shell company owned by his wife’s cousin."The world seemed to stop spinning for a second. The air felt colder, sharper. "Is she there?""The heat signatures show three people inside, one in the basement," Matteo said, checking the screen. "And a black van parked under a tarp outside. It’s him, Leandro. It has to be.""Get the t
The Weight of GuiltDelia’s POVThe hallway of the mansion felt like it was shrinking, the walls closing in as the smell of copper and antiseptic filled the air. I stood frozen at the entrance of the private medical wing, my hands pressed against my mouth to stifle a sob. The trail of blood on the
Blood in the Morning Sun.LeandroThe wine in my glass tasted like battery acid.Across the table, Delia sat like a ghost in the midnight-blue silk I had chosen for her. She was breathtaking a jewel I had stolen and locked in a cage of my own making. I saw the way her eyes kept searching mine, loo
The Weight of the GownLeandro“Leandro…?”He was standing in the doorway. He had ditched his suit jacket, his white shirt unbuttoned at the collar. He looked tired, but his eyes... they weren't cold anymore. They were dark, filled with something that made my blood turn to fire.“What are you doin
LeandroThe mahogany door of my study was four inches of solid timber, reinforced with steel plates, but tonight it felt like a paper shield. On the other side, the world was screaming a cacophony of street wars, shifting loyalties, and the scent of fresh blood on the wind. Inside, there was only
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