Delilah wasted no time. She moved slowly, circling Marco as if she were stalking a prey.
The music playing softly in the background set the rhythm, but it was her own confidence that controlled the dance. Her hips swayed, her body moved fluidly, each motion designed to captivate. She leaned in, letting her hands gently graze his shoulders before pulling back just enough to tease. Marco watched her every move, mesmerized by the confidence in her technique. She was unlike any dancer he had encountered before—there was no hesitation, no doubt. She knew exactly what she was doing. Delilah didn’t need to rush. She took her time, letting the anticipation build, as her fingers traced along his chest and then drifted away, always keeping a careful distance. Her lap dance was flawless, a combination of smooth, sensual movements and calculated control. She bent forward, her chest grazing his face as her hands trailed down his arms, then smoothly straddled his lap without missing a beat. Her body rocked gently against him, her breath steady, and her movements perfectly timed with the pulse of the music. The air between them crackled with passion. He leaned back slightly, his eyes following her every motion, his hands itching to touch her, but knowing better than to disrupt the performance. There was a silent understanding between them—this was her show, and he was merely the spectator. Delilah let her hips move against him smoothly, her body arching as her hands slid down her own sides, teasing but never giving too much. Her masked face remained mysterious, but her confidence told Marco everything he needed to know—this woman was sexy. As the lap dance continued, Delilah’s moves grew bolder, her body pressing closer to his in slow, tantalizing rhythms. She expertly shifted her weight, leaning in just enough to feel the heat between them but never breaking the boundary she had silently established. She spun around, her back now against his chest as she moved, arching her spine as her hands ran through her own hair, enhancing the allure of the dance. Marco’s breath hitched, but he kept his composure, watching as she continued to move with a confidence that commanded the room. Afterwards, Delilah finished with a final, teasing swirl of her hips before standing up, leaving Marco still in his chair, his gaze following her every step. Without a word, she gave a small nod, signaling that the dance was over. She walked to the door, her heart steady, intending to leave the room. But just as her fingers brushed the door handle, she felt a sudden, firm grip on her wrist. In one swift motion, Marco yanked her backward, pulling her toward him. The force of the movement was strong, almost calculated. Delilah stumbled slightly, but she quickly regained her balance, her eyes narrowing behind the mask as she was brought face to face with Marco once more. There was no fear in her—only surprise, mixed with irritation. No one had ever dared to touch her without her permission. Marco’s dark eyes gleamed with something dangerous, something intrigued, as his hand reached up slowly. With a deliberate, almost teasing slowness, his fingers touched the edge of her mask, tracing the delicate material. His other hand still held her wrist, keeping her close. He leaned in slightly, his breath warm against her skin. Delilah’s heart raced, but she remained composed. She had been in worse situations than this. Still, she felt the heat of the moment, the tension between them intensifying. She met his gaze with a steady glare, daring him to continue. Then, with a single, fluid motion, Marco slipped the mask from her face. For the first time that night, Delilah’s identity was exposed. Her face, usually hidden, was now revealed to him. Her piercing eyes, high cheekbones, and full lips were framed by a cascade of auburn hair that tumbled down her shoulders. Marco's breath hitched for a moment as he took her in, his grip on her wrist loosening but not letting go. His expression shifted, as if he hadn’t expected the woman behind the mask to be quite this captivating. Delilah remained silent, her face now unreadable. She wasn’t the type to be easily rattled, but she couldn’t deny the ripple of something unfamiliar coursing through her. Marco leaned closer, his voice low, his lips curving into a smirk. "I don’t know who you are," he said softly, his eyes never leaving hers, "but I have a feeling we’ll be seeing each other again." Delilah raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching with a hint of a smile—one that didn’t quite reach her eyes. Without a word, she yanked her wrist free from his hold, stepping back with her usual confidence. She didn’t need to respond to his comment. She had made it clear that she was not interested in seeing him again. She turned, walking toward the door again, her heart still steady. This time, Marco didn’t stop her. He simply watched as she exited the room, the door closing softly behind her. His gaze lingered on the door for a moment, before a dangerous glint flashed across his eyes. "Gino," Marco called out, his voice cutting through the silence. The door opened almost immediately, and Gino stepped inside, his imposing frame filling the doorway. He looked at Marco, waiting for instructions. "I want to know everything about that dancer." Marco’s tone was sharp, leaving no room for doubt. "Who she’s, where she’s from—everything." Gino nodded, his expression unreadable. "Understood." Without another word, Gino turned and exited the room, closing the door quietly behind him. Marco leaned back in his chair, the smirk on his face growing wider. His hand drifted to his crotch, fingers brushing against the fabric of his pants, where a noticeable bulge had formed. Then, a wave of satisfaction rolled through him. "She’ll be mine," he muttered to himself, his eyes narrowing with intent. She wasn’t just any ordinary dancer, and he would claim her, body, and soul.The next few days were a blur of excitement for Marco. With some rare free time on his hands, he indulged himself, hopping from one bar to the next, surrounded by beautiful women and taking his pick of whoever he desired. It was the kind of life he enjoyed—free from responsibility, with no strings attached.But the fun didn’t last long. A message from his Nonno arrived, summoning him to the Donato mansion immediately.With little choice, Marco climbed into the back of his car, and Gino drove him toward the estate.Sleek black cars flanked them, one at the front and one at the back, escorting them through the winding roads leading to his grandfather’s expensive property. The sun had barely risen, casting a soft glow over the mansion’s grand facade as they pulled up to the entrance.The cars came to a halt, and Gino exited first, opening the door for Marco. Without a word, Marco stepped out, straightening his jacket as he approached the mansion. A maid stood by the door, her posture
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the Donato estate. Then, a yellow cab pulled up to the expensive mansion. Delilah, seated in the back, gazed out of the window, her eyes widening in surprise at the grandeur of the property. It was the first time she had ever seen a mansion so intimidating, so luxurious. Her aunt, Mary, sitting beside her, noticed the look on Delilah's face and smiled warmly. "It’s quite a place, isn’t it?" she said, her voice gentle but encouraging. "Your grandfather’s best friend, Elder Donato lives here."Delilah nodded, not saying a word as they stepped out of the car and were escorted inside. The mansion was just as magnificent on the inside, with tall ceilings and marble floors gleaming under the soft lighting. They were led through the grand halls, their footsteps echoing, until they reached the dining hall where the Donato family’s patriarch, the old man who was her grandfather’s best friend, sat waiting.When they entered the roo
Marco led Delilah to a spacious room with rich, dark wooden floors and tall windows that bathed the space in a soft evening glow. On one side of the room, a grand library stretched from floor to ceiling, filled with books that looked untouched. The room smelled of leather and old paper, adding to the quiet intimacy of the setting.Once they reached the center of the room, Marco turned toward her, a faint smirk playing on his lips. In his mind, he recalled their last encounter. He had told her they would see each other again, and now here they were. The thought made him feel a spark of excitement, one he couldn’t quite suppress, despite his cool demeanor. Even though he had ordered Gino to dig up information on her, Gino had come back empty-handed. No matter. He’d discovered her secret himself."So," Marco began, almost mockingly, "the Holy bride works in a club, huh? As a pole dancer. And quite the experienced lap dancer too."Delilah stiffened but refused to show any reaction.
When Delilah and Mary finally reached their apartment, the driver gave a polite nod before driving off into the night. Delilah watched the car disappear, her thoughts still tangled with the odd exchange she'd overheard earlier. She and her aunt quietly entered the apartment.Mary wasted no time sinking into the living room couch, rubbing her temples as if the evening had been exhausting. Delilah, on the other hand, remained standing by the door for a moment, her mind racing. She hadn’t wanted to bring up what she’d overheard in the car—too risky with the driver nearby—but now that they were alone, she couldn’t let it go."Aunt Mary," Delilah began, her voice cutting through the silence. "What were you and Elder Donato talking about earlier?"Mary looked up, startled by the sudden question. "What do you mean?""At the table," Delilah clarified, stepping closer. "I heard you talking to him. What were you discussing?"Mary blinked, trying to maintain her composure. "Oh, we were just
But just as Marco opened his mouth to suggest skipping the formalities, the sound of a loud car engine echoed through the quiet ceremony space, shattering the stillness.Both Delilah and Marco turned their heads toward the entrance, confusion crossing their faces. Marco’s brow furrowed as he exchanged a quick glance with the officiant, who seemed just as bewildered.Suddenly, the heavy doors to the church swung open, and a group of rugged men marched in. They moved with an air of purpose, their boots stomping against the stone floor, echoing through the sanctuary. The metallic glint of guns in their hands made Mary tremble, her fear evident in the way her face drained of color. She clutched her hands together, looking between Marco and the men, her breaths quick and shallow.Gino and Marco exchanged brief looks of alarm. Neither of them had brought their guns; they hadn’t expected violence here in the sanctity of the church. Most especially when no one was aware of their wedding
Delilah's mind was spinning, her thoughts a chaotic blur of fear and anger. The cold metal of Vincent’s gun pressed against her skin, and the horror of the situation sank in fully. She had fought so hard to stop this wedding, yet nothing had prepared her for this kind of obstacle—a twisted takeover of her life. A strange, dangerous man had claimed her as his bride, and now she was staring down a fate she could never have imagined.Marco’s entire body screamed with frustration, his muscles tense as he watched helplessly. His blood boiled at the sight of Delilah in Vincent’s grip."She’s mine," his mind roared. "Not his. I won’t let him take her." But his hands were still bound, and there was nothing he could do.Vincent, still smirking with that cruel satisfaction, turned to one of his men. "Bring me the documents," he ordered, his voice dripping with confidence.One of the rugged men stepped forward, fumbling in his jacket before pulling out a set of papers—marriage documents. The
As soon as they reached the hospital, Marco opened his eyes and straightened up. Gino pulled the car into the parking lot, and the two of them stepped out. The sterile scent of the hospital hit Marco as they entered through the sliding doors, and his eyes quickly scanned the waiting area. Delilah was there, pacing anxiously, her eyes fixed on the floor as she chewed on her bottom lip.Her usual confident demeanor was gone, replaced with something more fragile, more real. She hadn’t noticed Marco yet, her mind clearly consumed with worry.Marco walked toward her, but before he could say anything, the doors to the examination rooms swung open, and a doctor stepped out, his face unreadable."Ms. Flynn?" the doctor called, catching Delilah’s attention.She rushed over, her eyes wide with concern. Marco stayed close behind, watching her every move."How is she?" Delilah asked, her voice strained.The doctor sighed softly before speaking. "Your aunt is in critical condition. We’re doing
Marco’s fists slowly relaxed, but his glare remained fixed on Frank as they followed him to the car. The drive to the Donato mansion was filled with silence, the evening shadows stretching long across the road. Delilah sat beside Marco, her mind racing, her thoughts circling back to her aunt in the hospital. She wanted to be there, not heading toward a forced confrontation with Marco's grandfather. But there was no way out.When they arrived at the mansion, Frank led them through the grand halls to the room where Elder Donato awaited them. The air felt cold and unforgiving. The grandfather, sitting in his wheelchair, gestured for them to sit on the two chairs placed side by side in front of him. Marco didn’t hesitate, settling into his seat with his usual confident demeanor. Delilah followed, though her legs felt heavier with each step.Two of the grandfather’s men stood beside them, flanking their seats, their presence a silent but clear reminder that this wasn’t just a conver
Delilah blinked, her stomach knotting. Did she just call me poor? And those dresses cheap?Jonah glanced at Delilah, his expression softening with something akin to pity. "Let it be," he said quietly to the woman. "Don’t trouble her."Delilah’s cheeks flushed. She glanced down at her simple gown, suddenly questioning its appearance. But when her gaze shifted back to the woman’s attire, she couldn’t help noticing how extravagantly luxurious it was. The kind of outfit meant to scream wealth."But baby—" the woman started.Delilah cut her off with a scoff, her composure icy. "Please hand me the clothes," she said to the associate, her voice firm but calm. "I’ll take them to the checkout counter myself."The associate obeyed, passing the clothes to Delilah with an apologetic look.Without sparing the couple another glance
Delilah stared at her phone screen as Marco’s name glowed brightly. Her heart gave an unexpected jolt."Why is he calling at this time?" she wondered.Her heart raced, the usually cold and calculating parts of her mind momentarily disrupted.She glanced around the hospital ward, ensuring no prying eyes or ears were nearby. The ward was still, only the faint hum of machinery and distant footsteps breaking the quiet.She pressed the answer button."Excuse me," she said coolly to Gino, who raised an eyebrow but said nothing.Delilah walked out of the ward, her heels clicking softly on the floor. Only once she was in the empty corridor, her back against the wall, did she lift the phone to her ear."Hello?" she said, her voice steady."Hi," Marco’s familiar, deep voice came through
The soft click of the door behind Delilah as she stepped into Gino’s room seemed to echo louder than it should.Her eyes swept over the large VIP ward, noting the unnecessary luxury for someone supposedly recovering from digestive issues.Gino lay on the bed, his hand connected to an IV, his face a picture of forced innocence. Beside him stood a young nurse, her nervous smile betraying her discomfort.The nurse greeted Delilah hesitantly. "He’s still under treatment, ma’am, and—"Delilah cut her off, her voice smooth yet firm. "Please, could you excuse us for a moment?"The nurse glanced at Gino for approval. Gino, with a barely noticeable flick of his eyes, gave her the signal to leave. She nodded awkwardly and hurried out, leaving Delilah and Gino alone.Delilah set the bag she’d brought onto the small table by the
The knock on the library door was firm yet restrained, interrupting Marco's focused gaze on the documents scattered across his oak desk.Without lifting his head, he adjusted his wristwatch and called out, "Come in."He expected Lucia’s familiar face to peek in, but instead, Delilah stepped through the doorway. Her soft smile and composed demeanor instantly filled the room."Hi," she greeted, her voice light and inviting.Marco leaned back in his chair, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Hi."Delilah closed the door gently behind her and walked further in. "I came to check up on you. How’s it going?""Great," Marco replied, though his tone lacked conviction. He glanced at his wristwatch again and frowned. "Except that Lucia was supposed to be here by now to assist me, but she’s not here yet."Delilah’s brows
"And what will you do anyway?" Lucia sneered. "Push me out? That won’t work because I’ll boldly return with a recent tape of Marco groaning my name."Lucia leaned closer, her voice lowering mockingly. "Take note of that, you poor orphan."Something in Delilah snapped at the insult.Before she could think, her hand shot out, landing a resounding slap across Lucia’s face.The sound echoed in the small restroom, and Lucia staggered back, her expression a mix of shock and pain."You—" Lucia started, but Delilah grabbed her arm, spinning her back around.The fight began.Lucia, fueled by rage and her wrestling past, swung at Delilah with strikes.Delilah, though reluctant at first to engage fully - because she had never hurt a woman and didn't intend to - defended herse
Delilah poured herself a glass of wine, her hands trembling slightly as the ruby liquid swirled into the glass.She took a deep breath and steadied herself before taking a sip, her lips pressing tightly against the rim as she fought the gnawing sensation in her chest."How could I have been so stupid?" she thought, almost chuckling as her mind replayed the conversation over and over.Marco’s sharp tone, the disappointment in his eyes—it all haunted her.The room felt cold despite the warm atmosphere.Delilah wrapped her free arm around her torso, her hand gripping her side tightly.The glass met her lips again, and this time, she drank deeply, letting the burn distract her from the ache inside.Delilah refilled the wine glass. She raised it to her lips, ready to drink again.Just as
Delilah didn't think much about it.In the evening, she leaned over the railing, the cool breeze brushing her face, she was already prepared for what was coming.Anticipation buzzed faintly in her chest as she saw Marco’s familiar silhouette approaching the mansion’s entrance.But he wasn’t alone.Lucia was with him, her tall frame radiating confidence as she walked beside Marco, holding some documents.Delilah straightened, her lips thinning as her fingers gripped the railing tighter.She descended the stairs deliberately, her heels clicking against the polished wood.The sound echoed sharply, cutting through the quiet hall like a warning.The sound caught Marco’s attention, and he looked up, his dark eyes immediately landing on her.For
Delilah narrowed her eyes, her jaw tightening. "The bigger picture? Is that what you call turning your back on someone who trusted us?"Helen finally spoke, her tone gentle but firm. "It’s not about trust. It’s about safety, Delilah. Mrs. Madison’s situation was tragic, yes. But we’re not detectives or vigilantes. We’re executors. We handle executions, not investigate deaths."Delilah let out a bitter laugh. "Is that how you justify it? By sticking to the job description?"Helen frowned but said nothing.Ruby, however, couldn’t resist. "It’s not just about that. Look, I don’t want to get caught up in this because it never ends well when emotions come into play. You know that, Delilah."Delilah took a step closer to the table, her presence commanding despite the room's elegant and tranquil decor.Her
Helen tilted her head, her doubt evident. "This is about Mrs. Madison, isn’t it?"Delilah’s jaw tightened, her eyes smoldering. "Yes."Ruby’s brows drew together, her voice hesitant. "The client? The one you postponed yesterday?"Delilah nodded, her voice a knife’s edge. "She’s dead."A thick silence enveloped the room. Ruby’s eyes widened, darting to Helen, who sat frozen, her lips parted in shock.Helen leaned forward, her voice cautious yet probing. "Dead? How?""They’re calling it a suicide," Delilah replied, her tone clipped, each word deliberate. "But there’s more to it than that."Ruby’s lips parted as realization dawned. "Wait, are you saying—"The soft creak of the door interrupted them, and all three heads turned.Mrs. Hay