Chapter 19

Benedict

The club is packed with the usual contenders on Tuesday night. There’s a mix of regulars and newcomers, all vying for attention and a good time. The lights flash in a mesmerizing rhythm, casting vivid colors across the room, and the bass of the music thrums slowly through my system, vibrating in my chest.

The news of Gregory Saunders murder came at a shock to me. Now more than ever we need information on the Delgado crime family.

Because I’m sure they’re the ones behind his murder, and now I fear for Eva’s safety more than ever.

I’m on high alert, scanning the sea of faces and moving bodies. My nerves are on edge, mainly because I haven’t seen Eva since the moment she rushed out of my office, her expression a whirlwind of shock and confusion.

My eyes dart from one end of the club to the other, searching desperately for her familiar face in the crowd. I need to find her. I need to apologize and make things right. The weight of my words hangs heavily in the air, and I can't shake the feeling that I might have driven her away for good.

As the minutes tick by, the urgency in my chest intensifies, matching the pulse of the music. Every second that passes feels like an eternity, and I know I won't be able to rest until I see her again, until I can tell her how sorry I am and hope that she'll forgive me.

Before long, I see her enter through the set of doors near the entrance. She’s mesmerizing, a vision that captures the attention of everyone around her. Her short black wig frames her face perfectly, accentuating her dazzling blue eyes that seem to pierce through the dim light of the club.

She’s dressed better than I ever could have imagined. The tight red dress she’s wearing hugs every delicious curve of her body, leaving little to the imagination. The dress glistens under the flashing lights, with intricate lace detailing along the neckline and hem, adding an element of elegance to its seductive design. Her legs, toned and flawless, are accentuated by a pair of stiletto heels that elevate her to goddess-like stature.

Her outfit is completed by a few well-chosen accessories: a delicate silver necklace that rests just above her collarbone, a matching bracelet that glints with every movement, and a pair of earrings that catch the light as she turns her head. She moves with a grace and confidence that makes her all the more captivating, and for a moment, I forget to breathe.

She spots me, and her face falls flat, making my chest ache. I hate that I’ve made her feel this way. I cross the floors, bringing myself right next to her.

“Did you hear?”

She’s already nodding before I can even finish my question. “I know him. Well, I knew him. My ex and him used to do business together.”

“I figured they did. Did your ex ever mention working with the Delgados?”

She shakes her head. “No. Never. But then again, he never really delved into his work with me.”

“Listen, about the other day…I’m sorry,” I whisper close to her ear.

Her eyes gaze at me with such intent. “I feel horrible for making you feel…” her words fall away and I bow my head.

“I’m a man, Eva. Every part of me lives and breathes pure man, and there’s not a man on the planet who wouldn’t have that same reaction to a woman grinding on him. It’s normal, and completely okay.”

“I just feel bad.”

“Don’t,” I rush out. “I knew what I was asking for.”

She blinks. “You did? Then, if you knew you’d have that reaction why did you ask me to dance for you?”

I lean in closer. “Maybe I like a little temptation every now and then, reminds me of who I am. What I am.”

“And what are you?” she whispers, her mouth so close to mine.

I breathe her in for a moment, wishing more than anything I could kiss her right here and now. Right in this very club. “I’m a man, Eva. A man who wants you.”

Her eyes grow wide, and she gasps lightly. “Benedict,” she whispers, and before I can make a move on her, there’s a commotion in the club.

I glance up, looking near the bar where two customers are speaking loudly. By the looks of it, it’s likely a fight will break out at any moment. I grab Eva by the hand, and lead her up the stairs, to the surveillance room.

I slam the door shut behind us, and push her up against the door, crashing my lips to hers. My fingers sink into the strands of her black wig, and more than anything I want to yank this thing off her head and feel her blonde hair underneath, but before I can, she’s pushing me away.

“Benedict, I don’t think this is such a good idea,” she breathes out in a rush.

“You’re right.” I step back from her, wanting to calm my body down just a bit. Her presence is overwhelming, a tempest stirring something deep within me. “I don’t know what it is about you, but I just can’t help myself.”

“I’m so sorry. Maybe it’s best if I don’t work on this assignment with you,” she says, her voice trembling slightly.

“No, I’ll be fine,” I insist, though the guilt gnaws at me. I feel like such an asshole.

This beautiful soul views me as a priest, a figure of trust and guidance, and that’s what I need to be for her. I turn around to scan the cameras, making sure the commotion downstairs is resolved.

Once I spot that everything is okay, I walk Eva out of the room, and we head downstairs together. Her steps are hesitant, her eyes glancing at me with a mix of confusion and concern.

“Father Carmichael,” Lazarus Delgado says, stepping closer to me, his presence exuding a smug confidence.

“Haven’t seen you in church in a while,” I say to him, forcing a smile. He only laughs, a hollow sound that grates on my nerves.

“I see you’ve met the beautiful Lina. We were just about to ask her to join us in our private room.” He ogles Eva, and I don’t like it one bit, but I step a bit further away from her, trying to mask my discomfort.

“Have a good time,” I say to them, ready to make my exit, but before I can Lazarus holds up a hand, stopping me.

“Why don’t you join us, Father ?” he asks, his tone dripping with false camaraderie. “We’re celebrating.”

I know what this is all about. Lazarus wants dirt on me. Who better to have dirt on than the local priest who hears everyone’s confessions? He thinks he’ll be able to one day blackmail me. Little does he know he’d never be able to. I won’t give him that power.

“Sure,” I say, my tone neutral. Like this is the most natural thing in the world. Even Daniel was led into the lion’s den. “Celebrating what?”

“Ah,” He gestures toward Enzo walking up. “Our newest member took care of a problem for us.”

Eva shivers beside me when she spots Enzo Gabini walking toward us. My body immediately goes into alert mode, wanting to make sure she feels safe.

I don’t trust this man.

However, I don’t let it show as I follow the men to the room where they’ll be having their meeting. I’m sure with me there they won’t be discussing anything too important.

I need to pretend I’m okay with all of this.

Like I’m the crooked priest they want me to be.

When we enter the room, I follow suit and sink into the plushness of a long leather-white sofa lining the far wall. The scent of expensive cigars mingles with the heady perfume of the women surrounding us, creating an atmosphere thick with anticipation. A few girls trickle in, their heels clicking against the polished floor, and among them is Eva, or as I need to call her tonight, Lina.

“Dance for us, ladies,” Lazarus says, his voice cutting through the ambient chatter as the lights of the room dim, casting everything into a sultry half-light. The men around me light up cigars, the glowing tips adding an eerie glow to their faces, and the low bass of the music pulses through my bones, setting the rhythm of the night.

My eyes are glued to Lina, unable to tear away from her magnetic presence. Tonight, she's transformed, embodying a persona that both enthralls and unnerves me.

“Lina, dance for the Father,” Lazarus commands, his tone dripping with disdain and authority.

Lina obeys without hesitation, moving with a fluidity and a grace that belies the darkness of the situation. As she dances, her gaze meets mine, and for a fleeting moment, it's as if her eyes convey a silent plea, a desperate apology hidden beneath the facade of the performance.

“Give him a lap dance,” Enzo says from not too far away, and now I feel everyone’s eyes on us.

We need to put on a show.

I don’t even know what to do right now. I’m a Catholic priest, and I don’t want to blow my cover by being too turned on, but I almost feel like this is a test.

They want to see how far I’m willing to go.

Maybe tonight I need to be the man they want me to be. I need to put it all out there, make myself appear dirty in their eyes so they will trust me.

Trust me as their priest. Trust me to confess their sins to.

I can tell by the looks in their eyes they want me to react to Lina’s succulent body before me. So, I do what they expect.

I widen my legs, letting Lina move between me, and I gaze up at her. “Do it,” I tell her. “Turn me the fuck on with this dance.”

The men surrounding me laugh, and then they focus back on the women in front of them.

Eva’s eyes widen, her facade dropping momentarily, but I try to convey my own personal message to her right now.

“Do it,” I mouth. “Now.”