16. Delilah
Chapter sixteen
Delilah
S itting beside my mother in my father’s office, we watched silently as he paced back and forth. Zachary and Ivory stood next to us, Zach looking furious with his arms crossed and Ivory looking petrified as she watched my father’s every move.
He stopped pacing after a moment and looked out of his window. He cracked his neck to the side and sighed heavily.
“Zachary, take your sister to her room,” he instructed, and I already had a feeling of what was going to happen.
Zach grabbed Ivory’s hand and practically dragged her out of the room as softly as he could, closing the door in the process. I gulped softly as he let out a dark chuckle.
“He’s playing me. He’s got people in the fucking back of everything I’m doing, and now he’s trying to become a part of my fucking company.” He let out a humorless chuckle. “And he thinks I’m the desperate one.”
He paused for a moment, and I thought about saying something, but I yelped in place of it as he threw one of the chairs into the corner, effectively breaking it. As a reflex, I latched onto my mother’s hand while she sat unbothered as she watched him, but put her other hand over mine to comfort me somewhat.
“Killian... relax,” she suggested, and he ran his fingers through his hair as he glanced at my face momentarily before walking to his desk chair.
A few moments went by, and the door opened with my brother and Uncle Blaine and Shin coming in as well.
“I don’t know how the fucker did it, but he has seventy-five percent of the investments in our real estate department, and if we do anything too irrational right now, it may go under. It’ll take months to get it back where it used to be, and that’s counting out all the press the media will try to cover with the topic,” Uncle Blaine explained.
My father sighed heavily. “How the hell did this happen?”
“We were unaware that Crawford had an affiliation with the investment group, and the majority of the finances from the ‘investors’ they speak of come from Calvin,” Uncle Shin explained, and my father put a smile on his face, a menacing one at that.
“So, to be clear, for the time being, Calvin is basically calling the fucking shots somewhere in my company…”
“And the only way we could successfully erase this problem is if Calvin withdraws from the deal...” Uncle Blaine said.
The room fell into an uncomfortable silence, well, for me at least.
I stood up and excused myself quietly. Hearing my mother following behind, I turned to her as she closed the door.
“Mom, what is going on?!” I asked her impatiently, and she sighed.
“Calvin is doing what he does best: screwing people over and only making things right when he gets what he wants in return.”
“Well, what does he want now? He’s already a part of Dad’s business and slowly beginning to drive him to the brink of insanity, again for like the hundredth time.”
“Sweetheart, I don’t know what he wants, but I know I cannot endure an angry Killian for too long. There’s only so much I can take, and once I’m worn out for the day, there’s not much I can do.”
I crossed my arms warily as I looked at her with nervousness. “But you know how he gets when he’s like this...”
“Which is why you and your siblings are going to do your best to stay on his good side.”
I gave her a look. “Dad doesn’t have a good side in times like these.”
“Okay... so in other words, try not to piss him off.”
I smiled at her joke, and she returned the gesture, pulling me into a hug.
“We can’t trust him. I still seem to be naive about that fact. I tried to get them to be friends about a million times already, but sadly, Calvin will always have something up his sleeve.”
I nodded, and she pulled away with another smile that I knew would bother me.
“So, I noticed Archer and Luca getting a bit territorial over who will get to bite the forbidden fruit.”
I rolled my eyes as I turned away from her and walked away. “Oh my gosh, Mom,” I said, forcing the blush trying to climb up my face away, and she giggled mischievously.
“Oh, come on, I know they both like you. Whose side are you on? Archer gives me Team Edward vibes, and Luca gives me Team Jacob… but it could also be vice versa—”
I turned around and balled my fists by my side. “Mom, stop. I am not some forbidden fruit, and Luca and Archer will never bite me, okay? That would be a disaster just waiting to happen.”
“All right, sweetie. Just be careful and make sure you use protection.”
I groaned loudly and walked away from her again, to which she laughed at my embarrassment.
Surely she didn’t know about my encounters with Archer. Well, I could only hope she didn’t know. Hopefully, she had only seen their “harmless” gestures toward me.
I walked to my room and saw Kimi petting Marshmallow as she sat at my desk. She looked over at me and groaned.
“How bad is it?” she asked, and I scoffed.
“Terrible. Dad is literally going crazy at just the thought of Calvin being a part of his business, and it isn’t helping the people in that office who are encouraging his beliefs. If this is how it will be constantly, Zach can have the business. I’ll work on the sidelines.”
“You and I both know Uncle Killian would never do such a thing. He’s been planning for you to take over his business since you were a child.”
“Calvin has also been feuding with him for over twenty years, and I don’t want that kind of lifestyle, ever.”
“I don’t think you’ll have that problem with Archer—”
“Please, let’s not even go there. My mother is already trying to connect the imaginary dots in her head, and I just want to ignore both him and Luca for as long as possible.”
“Which only lasts about a day before you see one of them, and the cycle repeats itself.”
I gave Kimiko a look, and she rolled her eyes and continued, “Fine. I’ll stop for now. I just hope this all blows over soon. The dean already approved the trip to Paris, and it will be impossible for you to go if Uncle Killian doesn’t agree.”
“Oh gosh, he’s never going to let me go. A week or two away from him with Archer and Luca in the same city? Yeah, never going to happen.”
“Well, we better find a way to make it happen, because there is no way I’m going to Paris without my best friend/home assistant.”
I giggled at her choice of words and nodded. My father being angry was something that honestly frightened me from time to time, and I could only pray that he would at least let me go on the trip to support Kimi.
It was the next day, and I took the free period I had to study in the library. Walking inside, I made eye contact with the boy who had been brutally tortured by Luca on my first day. He quickly averted his eyes away from me, and I shrugged helplessly as I looked through the shelves for a book.
I’ve tried to talk to him, but he just wouldn’t budge. I do enough running away from Archer and Luca, but I’ve since decided I don’t need to run after anyone.
I continued to spend my free period studying and made my way to the courtyard for lunch. I scanned the room for Kimiko but didn’t see her. After sending her a quick text, I made my way to an empty table when I heard someone speak.
“Hello, doll...”
I stopped in my tracks. I looked over my shoulder to see Luca sitting at the table with a mischievous smile on his face. I vividly remember slapping it off of him the other day, but it seems I was unsuccessful.
“Luca,” I said, merely acknowledging him.
I walked over to an empty table to wait for Kimi.
I was glancing down at my phone to see if she had texted me when I heard chairs being pulled away from my table. I looked up to see Luca sitting across from me, and his friends on both sides of me.
“Can I help you with something?” I asked him as calmly as I could, and he shrugged, leaning back in his seat
“No, doll; just enjoying the view.”
“I don’t think I’m enjoying mine,” I muttered, annoyed, and he simply chuckled as I began grabbing my belongings.
As I went to stand, two hands on my shoulders forced me back into my chair from behind.
“What’s the rush, doll?”
“What the hell is wrong with you?” I asked, a scowl forming on my lips.
He shrugged. “I’m not sure, actually… All I know is that I’m pretty used to getting what I want around here. And you seem like a fun challenge.”
“I am not a part of this game of yours, Luca.”
“Because you’re special, hmm? All because you’re Killian Russel’s daughter?”
I pushed off the hands still on my shoulders, and Luca sent his friends a look as I stood up once again. Stepping around the table, I walked past him, only to be stopped by his hand on my arm. I made a move to rip it from his hold. However, I couldn’t—not when he tightened his hand in a death grip that made me falter as the sound of surprise and pain surfaced.
“It’s clear you and I don’t seem to be getting off on the right foot,” he muttered as I continued wincing pathetically in his grasp. If anyone saw, I doubt they looked twice as Luca was known for this behavior and actively got away with it.
“Let go of me,” I said, attempting to mask the pain and tears that wanted to surface.
He looked over to me, unfazed, as his grip remained.
“We talked about this, doll. You’re mine. What don’t you understand?” he asked.
For a moment, I felt a sense of panic. Having someone other than Archer be this possessive was odd. I was used to being held by him, teased, bullied, all of the above. But with Luca, I felt at a loss. This was only my first week or so of being back at the academy. And the person that made me leave was not even the one causing me this torment.
One would think being in university, things would be different, but I couldn’t help but feel as though things were getting rather serious. Luca was obviously allowed to do what he pleased, not even afraid of the repercussions that would arise from touching Killian Russel’s daughter. Not that Archer ever cared about that, either.
As if he could sense my apprehension, another smile graced his face. However, it was wiped off immediately as we heard a voice.
“Luca, what are you doing?” Archer asked as I looked over to him. His eyes met mine, and slowly, they lowered to Luca’s hand, which still held a rather painful grip on my arm.
Archer’s jaw clenched for a moment, and I could see the wrath building within him. From the tense shoulders to his eyes that were narrowed in slits, I could tell he was just about ready to snap.
And no matter how much fear was instilled within me by Luca, I don’t know if I’d ever get used to that look in Archer’s eyes. The look that reminded everyone around me and myself that I belonged to him. The look that wanted to tear apart any guy who looked my way or laid a simple finger on me.
Luca noticed this, and slowly, he stood, pulling me closer by the arm. “I was only having a conversation with Delilah. You can’t be the only one who has all the fun with her.”
Archer’s eyes darkened slightly and he stepped closer as I essentially felt sandwiched between them. “Here’s what you’re going to do, Crawford.”
Luca looked him up and down, a smile threatening to come to his lips. “Tell me what I’m going to do, Lockwood.”
“You’re going to let her go, walk away, and fucking stay away. Your father may own the school, but luckily, mine owns him and you . Touch her again… and you will regret it.”
Luca was silent for a moment before he let go of my arm, my hand immediately rubbing the aching spot. His face was impassive, but it was clear Archer’s words hit a nerve.
“The Lockwoods’ precious golden boy strikes again. Always the hero, huh?” Luca muttered.
They were silent as they continued glaring at one another.
Deciding I wanted nothing more of this, I left in haste as I headed straight for Kimiko’s office.
Entering the building, I sighed with dread as I heard footsteps approaching me from behind.
“Not even a thank-you, Princess? Thought you were a big girl that didn’t need saving.”
“I don’t,” I hissed, and in an instant, Archer grabbed my arm that was not hurting and pushed me against the wall, caging me with his body.
“Is that right?” he muttered in that voice of his, and I pushed against him, which proved futile as he held my wrists against his chest.
“Let me go,” I seethed, and he leaned down, his eyes angrier than before.
“I thought I told you to stay clear of Crawford.”
“It’s not like I went searching for him.”
“Find that hard to believe, considering you are always looking for trouble in places you’re not supposed to be.”
“Go to hell,” I fired back, trying to break free from his grip, and he stepped in closer, ignoring my attempts. His hand traveled down my arm, and I shuddered softly as he rubbed his thumb over the tender skin that was hidden by my blazer. His eyes softened a bit, and I looked away from him.
“He hurt you…” he muttered, and I sighed.
“Archer, I’m fine.” I’m not. But crying in front of him again wasn’t on the agenda for the day. Not when classes were about to end, and students would be roaming the grounds, more than the few that lingered only for a moment or two.
“Princess…” he whispered, and I flinched slightly as he pushed a strand of hair behind my ear. He ignored the gesture, and I shook my head.
“Why can’t you ever leave me alone?” I said softly, and he tilted his head as he continued to tower over me, overwhelming my senses.
“Because you’re mine,” he murmured, his voice a mixture of possessiveness and something softer, almost tender. Instead of feeling nervous like he’d make me feel when he said these things, I felt annoyed and aggravated.
“I don’t belong to anyone. Not to you, not to Luca, not to anyone,” I fumed, and Archer’s jaw clenched. “I don’t need to be protected. I can take care of myself.” The words felt almost like lies as they left my mouth.
My heart continued racing as I awaited his response, and slowly, his hands let go of me. Placing them in his pockets, he scoffed, a mocking smile gracing his lips as he rubbed his chin lightly.
“Is that what you think?” he uttered, and I remained silent as his eyes met mine again. I could feel his anger radiating off of him, but I hadn’t expected his next words.
“Because for as long as I can remember, that scared, pathetic little girl was always in need of saving. Want to fight your own battles and play hero for a change, then be my fucking guest.”
My eyes widened slightly as he pulled away and walked off to his next class without another word. Tears pricked at the corner of my eyes as I watched his retreating back, and I half expected him to turn back, to walk over, and apologize, to wipe away the tears he forced out of my eyes.
But when he turned the corner, refusing to even send me a glance, I realized that this time, it was different: that he wasn’t going to come back and remind me I was his, that he wasn’t going to hold me close to him even when I pushed him away. And even though I’d wished for this before, I couldn’t ignore the deep ache in my chest that appeared as he left.
Omniscient
Stephan walked into his father’s office and dropped the documents he had finalized on the desk. Calvin glanced briefly at his son and returned to his computer. He sat patiently, knowing Stephan wanted to speak, but sighed as his son remained silent.
“You could’ve easily handed it to your PA to deliver it to me, but rather, you decided to come to do it yourself. Obviously you have something on your mind, and I have work to attend to. If it isn’t clear enough, you have the floor.”
“I’m going to England tomorrow night to handle some business in London,” Stephan said, and Calvin leaned back in his chair with a smile.
“Astonishing. Say something else that I already know is on the agenda for the week.”
Ignoring his father’s antics, Stephan continued, his face remaining stoic. “I’m the one that’s going overseas, not Archer. I’m the one making the sacrifices every week, every day, to do what he doesn’t, and you still don’t want me to inherit the business.”
“I don’t recall me saying anything of that nature.”
Stephan scoffed. “You don’t need to say anything. I already know what you won’t tell me.”
“Stephan, I have rather ambitious plans for the future of our business and our family. The individual who demonstrates the most efficient qualities in pursuing these plans will undoubtedly have the advantage. And judging by your current workload and dedication, I’d say you’re already well ahead.”
Stephan scoffed, “But this shouldn’t even be a competition. There is no reason I should have to compete with my younger brother.”
“Life is a competition, son. You either win or you lose. You will prevail if all you say is true and valid. You’ve already begun to see it as a competition, but Archer has yet to. The question is, are you going to let jealousy and envy control what you have accomplished, and if it does, will you embrace it or let it destroy you?” Calvin asked.
Stephan didn’t say anything. He wanted to believe his father’s words, to believe he had a chance at inheriting the business. For the work and devotion he put into his work, he didn’t understand why there was a discussion about this issue in the first place.
He was running the business, meeting with investors, traveling across oceans, enduring restless nights dealing with contracts, meetings, agreements... and then there was Archer. Essentially, he was breezing through, casually attending the academy, and living his life with everything handed to him, just as their father had intended. There was virtually no competition, but how little Archer seemed to contribute, he would still be in contention—still have a “fair” chance at inheriting what should’ve been Stephan’s.
He angrily walked to the door and placed his hand on the doorknob before speaking one last time. “Even if I am ahead, will I ever truly win?”
“Try not to become a man of success. Rather, become a man of value. This title should not define you. If you can’t see someone you love succeed, then you must reevaluate if you were truly meant for the position in the first place.”
Stephan chuckled, lacing it with sarcasm. “Thank you for making me believe I actually had a fucking chance.”
“You’re welcome... safe travels,” Calvin remarked, but Stephan didn’t hear a word as he’d already left, slamming the door shut.