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 beforeāthere was no hesitation, no doubt. She knew exactly what she was doing. Delilah didnāt 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 themāthis 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 knowāthis woman was sexy. As the lap dance continued, Delilahās 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. Marcoās 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 herāonly surprise, mixed with irritation. No one had ever dared to touch her without her permission. Marcoās 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. Delilahās 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, Delilahās 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 hadnāt expected the woman behind the mask to be quite this captivating. Delilah remained silent, her face now unreadable. She wasnāt the type to be easily rattled, but she couldnāt deny the ripple of something unfamiliar coursing through her. Marco leaned closer, his voice low, his lips curving into a smirk. "I donāt know who you are," he said softly, his eyes never leaving hers, "but I have a feeling weāll be seeing each other again." Delilah raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching with a hint of a smileāone that didnāt quite reach her eyes. Without a word, she yanked her wrist free from his hold, stepping back with her usual confidence. She didnāt 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 didnāt 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." Marcoās tone was sharp, leaving no room for doubt. "Who sheās, where sheās fromāeverything." 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. "Sheāll be mine," he muttered to himself, his eyes narrowing with intent. She wasnāt just any ordinary dancer, and he would claim her, body, and soul.Alright, folks, the mask is OFF! Did you see that coming? Marco certainly seemed⦠enthralled by our mysterious Delilah. Now that we've had this little peek behind the curtain (literally!), I'm dying to know what you think of this dynamic duo. Are you Team "Run, Delilah, Run!" or do you sense a twisted kind of chemistry brewing? Spill the tea.
The private dining hall of the restaurant was a world apartāsleek, expensive, and eerily silent despite the gathering of powerhouses seated inside. Crystal chandeliers cast golden light on the polished mahogany table stretching across the room. The men and women seated were the most feared, most respected members of the undergroundāCapos, Consiglieri, and a few others whose names alone could make hearts stop. At the head of the table, a sharply dressed man in his sixties stoodāthe chairperson for the evening. His voice was steady, yet commanding. "As we all know," he began, "the organization is entering a new era. Weāve survived brutal wars, betrayals, and shifts in power. But survival isnāt enough. We must grow. And for that⦠we need a leader. A new Don." Murmurs followed, quickly fading into silence as he continued. "There are a few names on the list. Men capable of leading us forward. Men who have proven their loyalty. Men who have spilled blood, cleaned the dirt off our emp
Delilah stepped out of her black car with ease and elegance, dressed in tailored black trousers and a cream fitted blouse that complimented the curve of her waist. Her heels clicked against the cobblestone driveway of Elder Donatoās mansion. A warm afternoon sun lit the air, but the mood was anything but sunny.Behind her, one of her bodyguards followed closely, holding a modest cake box with white frosting designs and a subtle satin ribbon. To the unsuspecting eye, it looked like a simple gesture. But this was Delilahānothing she did was simple.Inside the mansion, she walked through the entrance like she owned the place, her steps unhurried, her smile steady. She entered the dining room where Elder Donato sat at the head of a long mahogany table, slicing a piece of veal with slow accuracy. His white hair was neatly combed, and his gold ring caught the light with every motion.Delilahās smile widened when she approached. "It's so good to see you again, Nonno," she said with sweet af
Days blurred into weeks, weeks into months. Delilah had become something of a legend in the shadows. The Krono wasnāt just a tool nowāit was a throne, and she ruled from it, faceless but feared. She slipped into the lives of powerful men and women with blackmail so accurate they never saw her coming. Whispers of her haunted the boardrooms and political suites. They didnāt know her name, but they felt her presence. And it gave her everythingāmoney, power, control.From the spoils of her secrecy, she built something legitimate: a real organization to help trafficked women. Ginoās paycheck doubled. Marco was making clean, sharp money in real estate. Even Aunt Mary had a new apartment uptown, one with sunlight and a working elevator. Ruby and Helen had cried when they received a cake box stuffed with thick bundles of hundred-dollar bills, hidden under the frosting.But even with all the glamor and goodness, Marco stayed watchful. The Krono was too dangerous. Too much attention and the
Delilah was back at the mansion.Mrs. Hayden had already been given instructionsāto assist Delilah at all times, no questions asked. And the older woman did just that, preparing what was necessary and retreating when needed. Delilah had asked to be left alone in the library, and Mrs. Hayden, like a loyal servant, obeyed.The mansion was silent. The late afternoon had melted into evening. Golden streaks of sunlight slanted across the dark shelves of the library.Marco was still at the office.Delilah sat in one of the chairs, her fingers moving with smooth accuracy. She took the new laptopāthe one she had ordered Gino to getāand set it on the table before her. After a brief pause, she pulled out the USB.Letās see what secrets the Krono holds, she thought.Click.She inserted the drive, and a folder appeared. No password protection. No decoy files. Just a single, cryptic label.She opened it.Rows of names greeted her. Important men. Influential women. Politicians. Judges. All neatly f
Marco covered the pot with its lid and muttered under his breath, disappointment etched in his voice, "Sure, all it took was to be distracted."A crooked smirk tugged at his lips a second later. "Well, at least I got a compliment."The compliment had lingered in his mind far longer than the ruined soup. She had said he looked handsome. Devilishly handsome. And the way her gaze had lingered on him? Heād felt it ā not just seen it. Felt it sliding over his skin like a warm current, deliberate, and far from innocent.Before he could get lost in the thought again, Delilahās voice carried from the living room. "The delivery is here."He stepped out of the kitchen. The aroma of the delivered chicken soup replaced the burnt smell from earlier. It wasnāt the meal he planned to make, but it would do. They dined quietly, the silence between them no longer awkward but easy, almost intimate. When they finished, they retreated into the bedroom.Delilah changed into a loose-fitting nightgown, soft
Marco had finally released Delilah from his arms, the warmth of her still lingering in his hold. She had called a cab through an app, adamantly refusing to trouble Gino for a ride."Iāll just grab a few things from the apartment and come back to the mansion," sheād said.Marco didnāt argue. He knew better than to push her when sheād made up her mind. Still, that didnāt stop him from escorting her to the hotel entrance.The cab was already waiting.Marco opened the passenger door for her and Delilah slid in. Maybe it was the brush of her body against his arm, or the way her fingers briefly brushed his as she settled inābut Marcoās gut clenched.He watched as the cab drove off, disappearing into the traffic. A second later, his phone rang.---Delilah had received a message from Mary earlier, saying she would be at the hospital for treatment and wouldn't be at the apartment. Now, Delilah found the key where Mary had said it would beāin the flower vase just by the apartment door. She un