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 sleep alone in 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 letter and 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.”
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 series of 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 like her snagging someone like him .”
“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.
“Not at all. You needed rest. I wasn’t expecting you to go home and cook a five-course meal.”
There was a pause. She hesitated before she spoke. “Sebastien?”
“Yes, sweetheart?”
“Thank you,” she said breathlessly.
“For what?”
“For helping me…for treating me kindly these past few days. It means a lot.”
I tone softened. “You’re welcome, sweetheart. I’ll see you soon.”
“Okay.”
We hung up.
I left the office and slipped into my Porsche, my security detail in front and behind. I was hoping to call Delilah on the way home and wanted privacy to do that.
Suddenly, an ear-splitting crash filled the air as a bulldozer rammed the SUV ahead, tossing it aside like it were a plastic toy. Before I could react, another crash came from behind. I glanced in the rearview mirror and a bulldozer did the exact same thing to the SUV behind me.
My car screeched to a halt. I was boxed in.
Instinctively, I reached for my gun strapped in my boot.
“Siri, call Vega!”
Just then, bullets rained through the back glass. As glass shattered over the seats, I ducked, shielding my head.
“Mr. Quantum, what’s going on? Talk to me! Shit!” Vega’s voice came through the speakers.
It wasn’t long before the locks on my back door burst apart from gunfire. The moment the back door yanked open, I fired. A masked man stumbled back, clutching his shoulder, but before I could fire another shot, hands grabbed me and dragged me from the car.
Fists crashed into my face. A steel-toed boot slammed into my ribs, knocking the air out of me. At least a dozen masked men surrounded me; I was at a disadvantage, but I staggered to my feet and swung at the nearest man. I wasn’t about to go down without a fight.
Two men grabbed my arm while another grabbed my hair at the scalp, yanking my head back. Sharp blows landed against my ribs. I tried to wiggle out from their grip and kick at them, but something smashed into my leg, and I crumpled to the ground just as someone landed a punch squarely in my nose.
The beating continued, and the last thing that crossed my mind when my vision blurred, right before I passed out, was if I’d ever see Delilah again.