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My mind wandered back to dinner last night at Dominic’s. Not so much the dinner or even how well Delilah blended in with Lucy and Emily, but the choice she made.
She chose discomfort to make me look good in front of my brothers. It was the same sacrifice she had made for Dean.
There was no doubt that I had been avoiding Delilah, taking up residence once again at the office at Club Lunaire instead of heading to Quantum Enterprises Head Office. Now, she seemed uncomfortable around me.
Last night, she could’ve made up an excuse to stay at home, but she didn’t. She had dozed off on the way there and hardly ate anything. On the way back to the car, my arm wrapped around her shoulders, and I felt her melt into me sluggishly. I thought she was too exhausted to even realize. Worried about her, I wanted to hold her in my arms until we got home, but as soon as we got into the car, I released her, and we became strangers again.
I knew I was being immature, petty even, but Delilah had made her decision to sleepalonein her bed. Now, she had to deal with the consequences.
A knock on my door interrupted my thoughts. Kevin stepped inside and handed me a stack of mail.
I glanced at my watch, four p.m. I’d been at the club’s office since seven a.m., and I was ready to call it a day. However, I began to open the envelopes anyway to ensure none of them was urgent before leaving.
After coming across a brown envelope with just my name on it and no return address, I opened it. I pulled out the letterand froze when a picture of Delilah fell onto my desk. She was dressed in a black lace bra and matching black panties. It looked like she was dancing in front of a group of men, though none of their faces were visible. My hands tightened around the paper as I unfolded the letter and read.
Dear Mr. Quantum,
Since you’ve decided not to pay the protection fee for your business, maybe you’ll consider paying a protection fee for your fiancée. It’s a beautiful picture, isn’t it? And we have many more where that came from. If you don’t agree to pay the sum of one hundred million dollars, her secrets will be revealed to the world. I’ll be in contact soon.
Holy mother of fucks!
How did they know I was at this office today? Or did they send one to all my offices? If it was just this one, it meant they were watching me, and most likely Delilah.
Sending picture and letter to the lab meant exposing Delilah, and I couldn’t let that happen. Thoughts of sending the envelope flashed across my mind, however, my instinct told me that we wouldn’t get anything from it. I tore up the letter and the picture and headed to the bathroom in my office. I burnt the pieces of paper, then flushed the ashes down the toilet. I couldn’t tell Delilah that someone had dirty pictures of her and they were threatening to expose her; it would break her. I also knew that paying the money would only lead to more extortion.
It had to have come from Hawthorne. But how did he know about the protection fee threats? Was he involved in that as well? But why? I didn’t even know about Hawthorne until recently. None of it made sense.
It was time to pay Elliot Hawthorne a visit.
I dialed Vega’s number, my voice icy when he answered.
“Track Hawthorne. I need to pay him a visit, now. Have some of your men follow him and stay in the vicinity. This isn’t going to be a friendly visit. He openly threatened my fiancée.”
“Soon as I have him on my radar, I’ll call you back.” Vega hung up.
Next, I called Tony. “Get the car ready. I’ll be leaving in ten minutes. Make sure you and the boys are armed and ready to go.”
By the time I hung up with Tony, I was seeing red. Hawthorne had crossed the line, and I wasn’t just going to let him get away with it. He’d probably be ready for me, but I’d be ready for him too.
My phone buzzed and I answered. It was Vega.
“I got a hit on Hawthorne. He’s at his office at his hotel on 6th and Boulevard. My guys are in position and awaiting your arrival.”
“Vega, if he makes a move, let me know. Don’t let that son of a bitch slip away.”
I hung up, grabbed my blazer and phone and headed for the parking lot. Tony was waiting when I arrived.
“Get your guys on site at Hawthorne’s office on 6th and Boulevard. Hawthorne’s about to learn what happens when he dares threaten what’s mine.”
I slid into the car as Tony took the wheel and Viper sat next to him.
If Hawthorne thought he could fuck with Delilah and get away with it, he had another think coming. As long as I had breath in my body, no one touched my woman.
Twenty minutes later, dressed in my blazer, with Tony, Viper, and six of my men by my side, I stormed into Hawthorne’s office, ignoring his secretary’s feeble attempts to stop us.
As soon as we entered, his two bodyguards whipped out their guns, but Tony and my team were already a step ahead, weapons drawn as well.
My lips curled into a cold, dangerous smile. “Mr. Hawthorne, it’s good to see you again.”