14. Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen

Lorenzo

The drive to the club is quiet, the hum of the engine of my sports car the only sound breaking the stillness.

As I grip the steering wheel, my mind races with thoughts of Daniella and the complex situation she's unwittingly stepped into.

I glance at the passenger seat beside me, where she is sitting there, looking so incredibly beautiful it’s a conscious effort not to pull over and pull her into my lap.

When I arrive at The Garden of Eden, I take a deep breath and step out of the car, going around to open the door for her. The club's neon lights flicker in the late evening light, casting an otherworldly glow on the surroundings.

I make my way inside, the familiar thump of bass music and the hum of conversation filling the air around me.

Daniella is walking beside me, with the confidence of someone who belongs here. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with her.

The thought of her being a waitress here, having to wear the uniforms and being subject to the leering looks of every man in the club—that is definitely not going to work for me.

She looks at me and smiles just as Carla, the manager of the club, approaches us.

“Mr. Duretti, welcome.”

I nod at her and turn to Daniella.

“This is Carla, she’s the manager.” And then I say to Carla, “Daniella will be joining us as an accountant. I’m going to show her around first, and when I’m done, I’ll hand her over to you.”

“Of course, sir.” She nods again and leaves.

“Will I have to call you sir when I start working here?”

The thought of her calling me sir makes blood rush to my dick.

“No,” I reply, my gaze lingering on her for a moment longer than necessary. “Are you ready to begin?”

She nods, her eyes meeting mine with that same fierce determination that drew me to her in the first place. “Yes.”

“Very well. Follow me.”

I lead her through the hallways of the club, each step taking us deeper into the heart of our operations. As we walk, I can feel the eyes of my men on us, their curiosity piqued by the presence of this striking woman.

We reach the main floor, a cavernous space filled with tables, booths, and a long bar that stretches along one wall.

The club is still waking up, staff bustling around, preparing for the night's festivities. I spot Carla near the bar, her sharp eyes scanning the room, always alert.

“Carla,” I call out, and she turns to us, her expression curious.

“All done with the tour?” she asks, her gaze shifting to Daniella.

“Yes.”

“Come with me Daniella. I’ll show you to where you’ll be working.

Daniella glances at me and I offer a reassuring nod. “You’ll be in good hands with Carla. She’s one of the best.”

“Thank you,” Daniella says, her voice steady, though I can see the nerves in her eyes.

As Carla leads her away, I watch them go, a mix of pride and protectiveness swelling within me.

Daniella is stepping into a world of shadows and secrets, a world that could consume her if she’s not careful. But she’s strong, stronger than most and I know she’ll thrive.

I turn away and make my way to my office, the familiar surroundings offering a strange comfort. The door closes behind me with a soft click and I take a moment to gather my thoughts.

This is a delicate game we’re playing and every move must be calculated. Daniella’s safety is paramount, but so is maintaining the balance of power within our organization.

I settle into my chair, my mind drifting back to the way she looked this morning, poised and determined. It has left an indelible mark on me. She’s a beacon of light in a world of darkness and I can’t help but feel a deep, primal need to protect her.

The hours pass, filled with meetings and phone calls, but my thoughts keep returning to Daniella. I wonder how she’s faring, if she’s finding her footing in this treacherous environment. My office door opens, and Carla steps in, her expression unreadable.

“She’s doing well,” Carla reports, referring to Daniella. “Quick learner, sharp mind. You made a good choice.”

“I know,” I say, a small smile playing on my lips. “Keep an eye on her, make sure she’s adjusting.”

“Will do,” Carla says, then hesitates. “There’s something else. She asked about Jeremy.”

My smile fades, replaced by a frown. “What did she ask?”

“She wanted to know if I’d heard of him. Is she related to him in any way?”

“Don’t concern yourself with that. Carla, her questions cannot go beyond your ears.”

“Of course sir, I understand how things work here.”

Carla has been here with us since I bought The Garden of Eden. Almost my age, and almost as wise as me, she’s been leading the operations for the club for a long time. I know that I can trust her with Daniella.

“And Maria?”

“She’s good. The others like her and she is good at her job. I make sure that nobody bothers her.”

I nod slowly. “Thank you, Carla. Keep me informed.”

As she leaves, I lean back in my chair, deep in thought. Daniella’s curiosity about Jeremy is understandable, but dangerous. I had almost dared to hope she was forgetting about digging up information about him.

I’ll need to keep a close watch on her, to ensure she doesn’t dig too deep. Because there are things she doesn’t know, things that could shatter her. And as much as I want to let her know what happened to her ex, I know that some truths are too dangerous to be revealed.

***

The club is starting to wind down when Daniella approaches the bar where I’m seated, nursing a drink. She looks tired but excited, a glint of satisfaction in her eyes.

“How was your first night?” I ask, my voice casual.

“Interesting,” she replies, taking a seat next to me. “I learned a lot.”

“I’m sure you did,” I say, my tone measured.

She meets my gaze, and then she smiles. It is so rare and so beautiful, I want to bottle it up and keep it with me at all times.

I admire her tenacity, but it also worries me. She’s diving headfirst into a world that could swallow her whole.

“Just remember what I said. Loyalty, obedience. Those are the rules.”

She nods, understanding the unspoken warning. “I understand.”

“Good,” I say, finishing my drink. “Time to go home. Get your purse.”

She nods and goes back upstairs to get her purse from her desk. I finish my drink, brooding about what comes next. The more invested I get in this woman, the more dangerous the game becomes for the both of us.

“Okay,” she says as she marches back up in her cute, practical heels. She tilts her head to the side and eyes me with a small half-smile.

“Remember what I said about the real work that needs to be done?” I ask her.

She frowns a little, her brows drawing down a touch. “I just worked a whole shift upstairs,” she points out.

I nod. “Yes, but the work you do here isn’t the only thing I expect of you.”

The frown on her face deepens. “Oh?”

I rise to my feet and reach out to touch her cheek again. Her skin is so soft. It makes me want to touch all of her.

“I own you now, we talked about this. It means that you come home with me and you take care of my needs each night. It’s the most important part of the job.”

She looks like she wants to step back, but she doesn’t. Instead, she lifts her chin and meets my gaze boldly.

“Fine,” she agrees. “However, I get to have the weekends to myself. I don’t work for you seven days a week.”

I ponder this for a moment, the silence stretching out between us. “Fine,” I agree.

“Good,” she says with a nod. She turns away from me and starts walking toward the door. “Let’s go.”

I watch her slim form marching ahead of me, her heels doing delicious things to her perky ass. I sigh inwardly.

Daniella Roberto may be a pawn in a larger game, but she is a pawn I intend to protect at all costs. Because in this world of shadows and secrets, she is a beacon of determination and strength—and that makes her worth fighting for.

She might think that I am trying to control her, to force her to sleep with me each night, but I’m actually trying to protect her. If she’s with me, I know she’s safe. I can’t say the same when she’s not sleeping under my roof, protected by my guards and security measures.

Because she’s more than just a distraction, more than just a beautiful woman in a dangerous game. She’s mine.