48

Chapter 48

Darcy’s Pov

The figure moved into the light, and I instantly tensed, ready to protect both Adrian and myself from whatever or whoever had entered my home.

“Mr. Rodrigo?” Leo said,“Is everything all right?”

Relief hit me. “Leo, what are you doing here?”

“I heard voices,” he said, looking at Adrian and me. “I was checking if everywhere was secure.”

Adrian rested on the wall, one hand on her chest, her face pale. Seeing her afraid made me feel something deep inside of me .

“We’re fine,” I said, “Just a false alarm.”

I lied.

Leo nodded but kept watching Adrian. “I’ll be in my duty post, in case you need anything,” he said.

When he left, I looked at Adrian

“Come on, let’s get you to your room,” I said, holding her hand.

“Pink needs her milk and cookies...”

“She’s asleep,” I told her gently. “I checked on her earlier. She’s out cold with her rabbit.”

Adrian frowned. “I forgot. I was supposed to—”

“You’re exhausted,” I said. “You need rest. Tomorrow’s Saturday, there'll be no school runs, no stress. Just sleep.”

“I’m fine…”

“Adrian.” My tone was calm but firm. “Go get some rest. Please.”

Her lips opened slightly like she wanted to argue with me, but she sighed and nodded. “Okay.”

As I walked her to her room. She paused at the doorway, her gray eyes full of things she didn’t say. “Darcy, I—”

“Tomorrow,” I said gently.

She gave a slight nod then shut her door.

I stood there for some time with many thoughts racing in my mind. I knew something was wrong or maybe someone was haunting her. With the way she jumped at every sound and kept checking her phone said it all.

She was being threatened.

And she won't open up.

I felt frustration creep in because this might affect Pink. I walked back to my room with my stained wet shirt from Pink’s spilled milk earlier, clinging to my skin. I needed to bathe.

I tried to clear my head as I bathed, to stop thinking about a lot but my thoughts only got louder.

First, the investigation. Mark had told me earlier that the car tailing us was rented under a fake name and paid in cash. No leads but proof someone was watching. Someone clever.

Then, there was my father’s ultimatum: announce an engagement with Brittany or lose the company. I had one week left.

And Brittany herself… what she did to me still surprised me.

Then, when she sat on my desk, and kissed me.I didn't fall into her seduction.

But all I could think about then was Adrian.

Adrian’s eyes. Adrian’s laugh when Pink said something silly. The way her lips trembled when she was scared.

It was pathetic. Brittany Hawthorne, who was perfect, powerful, and eager. Yet, my mind was stuck on my daughter’s nanny.

I closed the water and wrapped a towel on my waist. I was angry at myself. About everything.

After I put on my sleeping clothes. Then, I poured a drink and sat at my desk. A folder from Mark lay on top—the updated background check on Adrian I’d requested weeks ago.

This was about safety, I told myself. Not curiosity.

The file said what I already knew: Adrian Martinez, 23. Orphaned at ten. She stayed in her aunt's house who treated her badly. Also she worked in a strippers club.

That part hit me harder than expected. I knew she’d worked at a club, but reading it made it real. I tried not to imagine her in a light pants and bra dancing and twerking for men that pays for her body.

Then I reached the part that made my jaw tighten.

Her arrest. Three years for drug trafficking. But there was something new in Mark’s notes.

A name: Martin.

He’d been her boyfriend at the time. He claimed he knew nothing about the drugs, blaming Adrian for dealing behind his back. His statement got her convicted.

But the investigator dug deeper. Martin had a long history with drugs, always slipping through the system. He was tied to known dealers. He’d had full access to Adrian’s apartment.

Which meant he could’ve planted the drugs himself.

My hands clenched as I reread that paragraph. Over and over. The truth sank in like poison.

Adrian had been framed and betrayed by someone she loved.

And worse was that Mark’s team had seen him. Recently. Near my house. More than once.

Cold anger shot through me.

Martin. The man who destroyed Adrian’s life. The man, watching her again.

He was the threat.

I snatched up my phone and called Mark.

“Sir?” Mark answered.

“That Martin guy. Did you deliver the message to him?"

"Yes sir,"

"Good,I want his address, his contacts, his finances. I want eyes on him, twenty-four seven.”

“Yes, sir. Is this about the car following Miss Martinez?”

“I’m sure he was the one,” I said. “He’s the one behind it.”

Mark paused. “If he’s still dealing drugs, approaching him is dangerous.”

"I’m not approaching him, Mark...I’m ending him.” My voice dropped, cold and certain. “Find out what matters to him. Then we’ll use it.”

“Understood. You’ll have a report by Monday.”

“Sunday,” I said sharply."Give me the report on Sunday."

After ending the call, I sipped my whiskey.

Martin thought he could scare her. Hurt her. Make her live in fear again?

Not while I was breathing.

Then a thought stopped me cold.

When did I start thinking of Adrian as mine?

She wasn’t. She was Pink’s nanny. An employee. I know she hates me now after what I did, sleeping with her and then pushing her away. She had every reason to.

But that didn’t halt the desire to protect her. I would go exact miles to anything to keep her safe,as long as she makes Pink happy even if she doesn't want me close to her again.

I poured another drink and tried to focus on work. Tokyo expansion plans. Quarterly reports. My father’s merger proposal.

But my mind kept going back to her.

The way her body fell on my arms when I caught her. The way she looked at me sent shivers down my spine like she wanted me .

I wanted her badly too. I wanted to help fix everything.

Even now, the thought of her body beneath me that night haunted me. The soft sounds she’d made. The warmth of her skin.

I swallowed hard. This obsession was dangerous. I needed distance before it consumed me.

I picked up my phone. I knew I had women contacts who were available. Simple, no-strings distractions.

My thumb hovered over Amelia—someone I’d casually seen months ago. It was easy, physical, and uncomplicated.

But the thought of calling her made me feel nothing.

Because she doesn't look like Adrian.

I sighed and put my phone aside.

This was ridiculous. I'm a CEO and ran a billion-dollar company in the city and yet I couldn’t stop thinking about my daughter’s nanny. A woman who doesn't belong to my world,I wasn’t allowed to have.

I needed to break the cycle. Do something—anything, just to clear my head.

The whiskey was warming me now, numbing the restraint I usually kept tight.

That’s when the idea hit.

Sparkles Club.

An exclusive gentlemen’s club downtown. A night out won't be bad, just a reminder of who I was before all this.

No emotions. No complications. Just a few drinks and temporary escape.

It's not my fault, I blamed the frustration, the whiskey, the longing—it all pushed me forward.

I texted my driver to meet me at once.

Then I changed into a black shirt that I buttoned down, then dark jeans, with a leather jacket. The kind of look that said I didn’t want conversation, just distraction.

As I passed the mirror, I caught my reflection. My eyes were dimmed by alcohol, my jaw was tight. I looked like a man trying to outrun himself.

“This is stupid,” I muttered. “You’ll regret it.”

But I finished dressing anyway.

Because the alternative was going to Adrian’s room, demanding answers, kissing her until she forgot her fears—was worse. Far worse.

At least at Sparkles club, I would be in control and fuck any woman and pretend all is well.

I took my keys and wallet and walked down the hall. My eyes looked at Adrian’s door. I paused for half a second, fighting the urge to knock and beg her to fuck me, no more throwing of money after sex.

Then I forced myself to keep moving.

Down the stairs. Out the front door. Into the waiting car.

“Sparkles Club,” I told my driver.

He nodded, starting the engine. He didn’t ask questions. He’d been there before.

As the mansion disappeared behind us, I tried to convince myself this was right. That a few hours away would help me forget. And during those hours I would forget Adrian for some time with enough alcohol and meaningless company.

But deep down, I already knew what the truth was.

I’d regret this mistake.

But I couldn’t stop myself now.

Because the need—the pull—was too strong.

The car slowed as we reached the entrance of the club that was glowing with party lights.

I stepped out, headed into the party house. When I got seated, I waved to the waiter to take my orders...

Then I saw her...