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I strode across the room and took a seat opposite Hawthorne at his desk. I crossed my legs at the knee and leaned back, eyes locked on him. His bodyguards didn’t lower their weapons and neither did mine.
Hawthorne’s voice was smooth and steady when he answered. “Mr. Quantum, such a pleasant surprise to see you…here. What brought you to my establishment?”
My gaze darkened and I leaned forward, both feet firmly planted on the ground. The gun strapped in my boot itched for action.
“I’m so glad you asked.” My voice was deadly. “I received a threat today toward my fiancée, threatening to reveal her secrets.”
Hawthorne's facade didn’t falter. He lifted an eyebrow and leaned back. “How is that any of my business, Mr. Quantum? If you had chosen a stand-up woman and not a classless, slutty whore, she wouldn’t have any secrets to reveal, would she?”
Before Hawthorne could take his next breath, I was already out of my chair. Gun in hand, I reached over, grabbed him by the collar and yanked him halfway across the desk. With the cold barrel of my gun pressed against his heart, a seriesof safety latches clicked in unison. I didn’t move. A red laser appeared in the center of Hawthorne’s forehead. Thanks, Vega.
“I know you probably caught wind of someone making threats against my business, and now you’ve gone and partnered with them, spreading Delilah’s secrets. Let me make this clear.” I tightened my grip on Hawthorne’s collar and growled, “If even a whisper about her past leaks, or anyone dares to lay a hand on her, you see what’s happening here, right now? It won’t happen a second time. You won’t see me coming, Hawthorne. I’ll send you so fast to meet your ancestors that even your own shadow won’t remember you. And the best part? Nobody will find your fucking body. Don’t fucking mess with me or mine.”
I shoved Hawthorne back with enough force to send his chair crashing into the wall. Without a second glance, I turned and walked out, knowing whatever went down in Hawthorne’s office was already wiped from the servers. No trace. No evidence. Not a single fucking thing left for anyone to find.
Two weeks passed in silence after the scene with Hawthorne. No threats. No fires. No thefts. Nothing. But one afternoon, after an important meeting at Quantum Enterprises Head Office, I walked past the break room and overheard hushed voices.
“I mean, just look at her,” one of the women whispered. “What could Mr. Quantum possibly see in a woman like Delilah?”
Another woman snickered. “That sex must be mind-blowing, because that’s the only way I could see someone likehersnagging someone likehim.”
“That, or a damn love potion,” a third woman chimed in. “She’s overweight and nowhere near as pretty as the women he usually dates. I’ve seen him with way better-looking women.”
Irritated, I walked past the break room in search of Delilah. If I had heard them gossiping, there’s no doubt Delilah had, too. She’d been there, dealing with their shit, while I’d been playing ghost because she refused to share a bed with me. Appearances mattered now more than ever. I was supposed to be the doting fiancé, not leaving her to handle everything alone. That shit ends today.
I found her closing a meeting with a client, and as soon as she stepped out of the conference room, I wrapped my arms around her. I leaned over and whispered, “I heard the office gossip. I shouldn’t have left you here alone. How about we grab lunch together?”
I expected Delilah to resist but I was pleasantly surprised when she agreed. I took her to my bar and lounge on Third, where we spoke about lighthearted topics like movies, music and places we’d like to see. By the time we walked back into the office, hand in hand, Delilah had that same twinkle in her eye as when I first announced our engagement.
That lunch was the shift we needed. Over the next few days, she didn’t hide from me. After work, we’d cook together and sometimes watch a movie. At times, I caught her staring at me, desire lingering in her eyes, but I didn’t want to scare her away again. My behavior had pushed us back to square one, and I had to work my way back to her again.
About a week later, Delilah had complained of a headache, and I sent her home early. She’d been working tirelessly, organizing fundraisers, team building events, and even coordinating an anniversary celebration for one of my bars and lounges. By six p.m. I called her to check on her.
“I hope you got some rest,” I said, leaning back in my chair.
“I did! Thank you for letting me leave early.”
“What the point of being the boss’s fiancée if you can’t enjoy a few perks?”
She laughed softly. “Is leaving early the only perk I’ll get?”
I smirked. “That depends. What other perks are you hoping for?”
“Wait…is Sebastien Quantum willing to negotiate?” she teased.
“For you? I’ll do just about anything.”
“Oh really? I’m going to have to put you to the test,” she challenged.
“And what do I get if I pass this test?”
She giggled. “Guess you’ll have to wait and find out.”
I exhaled as I felt my cock grow at the possibilities. I loved how easily she flirted now, her voice holding a little more desire each time. We hadn’t crossed boundaries yet, but tonight… maybe we could at least move to second base.
“I’m leaving the office in ten minutes, so I’ll be home soon.”
“I ordered out for dinner, I hope you don’t mind,” she said hesitantly.