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.
LeandroThe ice in my glass had melted by the time the second knock came. It wasn't the polite, hesitant rap of a subordinate looking for a signature. It wasn't Matteo, who still held onto some fleeting hope that I possessed a shred of human empathy.This one was coded. Two short. One long. The rhythm of a man who dealt in the currency of secrets.I didn't turn from the window. I kept my eyes fixed on the distant, flickering lights of the city, my city where every heartbeat was a transaction I likely taxed. "Enter."The door opened and closed with the quiet precision of a tomb sealing shut. Luca stepped into the pool of dim amber light. He was one of my oldest pieces on the board. He didn’t survive thirty years in the Cavalli organization by being a conversationalist; he survived by being a ghost who could kill with a whisper.“We have confirmation,” Luca said, his voice a low, gravelly hum.I finally turned. My gaze was sharp, cutting through the shadows. “Speak.”“Antonio’s people
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 the low hum of the air filtration and the rhythmic clink of ice against crystal.I sank into my chair, the leather groaning under my weight like a weary soldier. I swirled the amber liquid in my glass, watching the dim evening light catch the legs of the scotch. My mind wasn't on the shipments at the docks or the Union leaders I had in my pocket. It was a battlefield of shadows, specifically the silhouettes of the predators I’d seen circling Delia’s life.Antonio. That snake didn't just bite; he studied the anatomy of his prey before he struck. He would’ve dug into everything. He’d know what time she bought her coffee, the name of her first-grade teacher, and exactly which of her friends
DeliaI searched his face. “So this isn’t guilt.”“No.”“Not affection.”“No.”“Not an apology.”“No.”I let out a breath. “Then what is it?”He held my gaze, unblinking.“Insurance,” he said. “For you.”“For me,” I repeated bitterly. “Or for you?”His expression didn’t change.“You’re done asking questions,” he said calmly. “Your friends will stay as long as you want them here. No one will harm them. No one will use them against you.”“And you?” I asked.He paused for half a second.“I’m not your enemy,” he said.“That’s not what I asked.”His eyes darkened. “And I’m not the man you want me to be.”The truth in that hurt more than his coldness ever could.I nodded once, forcing myself to straighten.“Fine,” I said. “Then stop pretending this is anything more than what it is.”I turned toward the door.“Delia,” he called.I stopped but didn’t look back.“Be careful,” he said quietly. “Curiosity gets people killed.”I opened the door anyway.And as I stepped back into the hallway, one
DeliaThe dining room seemed built for power, not comfort. Sunlight came through the tall windows, shining on marble floors and a very long table that felt more like a ceremony than a meal. Every plate was lined up perfectly, every glass was spotless, and even the quiet felt planned.Shawn leaned toward me, eyes wide, his voice a whisper that still somehow echoed.“This mansion is huge. Like… if I got lost in here, tell my mother I loved her.”“Please don’t get lost,” I muttered. “I don’t think they’d find you. Or worse…they would.”Carrie snorted softly. “You’re being dramatic.”“I am not,” Shawn said. “I’ve seen horror movies that start exactly like this. Beautiful house. Polite staff. Suddenly…. boom… disappearance.”Before I could answer, a line of maids came in quietly, each holding silver trays with covered lids. They moved together smoothly, setting dishes on the table with calm efficiency.One maid stepped forward and bowed slightly.“Good morning, Miss Delia.”“Good morning,






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