21. Luca
Chapter twenty-one
Luca
I watched with a smirk as Archer stormed out of his father’s office, fuming. With a satisfied sigh, I headed to my office. As I walked in, Natalia, my new personal assistant, looked up from her desk. I deemed her presence more beneficial these days, given the fact she easily fed my ego and delusions, as she would say.
“It seems as though Calvin is trying to force Delilah and Archer to work together,” I muttered, and she sighed.
“I still don’t see why you don’t just bring this to Russel’s attention. Just hearing this will make the man snap… why wait?” she asked.
I leaned against my desk. “Because, my dear Natalia, I’m not interested in just making Killian upset. I want him enraged, driven mad by the thought that his daughter is hopelessly in love with someone he despises.”
Natalia raised an eyebrow. “Wait, so you actually want them to get together?”
I sighed, frustrated. “Why does everyone seem to misunderstand my intentions? Of course I don’t want them to be together.”
Her confusion only deepened, so I rolled my eyes and elaborated.
“Delilah’s relationship with Archer can be used as leverage. I’ll blackmail her into being with me by threatening to expose her relationship to her father. If she agrees, then I will deal with Killian myself, and we will live happily ever after.”
Natalia seemed unimpressed. “And when that plan doesn’t work out?”
“ If that plan fails, I’ll resort to more drastic measures,” I said with a hint of dark amusement. “What’s the saying? If I can’t have you, then no one can? Never thought I’d actually use that one…”
Natalia tilted her head, a smirk playing on her lips. “If you’re going that route, Crawford, you might be going a bit soft. Or maybe Delilah is becoming a soft spot for you.”
I shook my head. “I wouldn’t go that far, Natalia.”
“Then take it up a notch,” she said, her tone a mix of challenge and disdain. “You’re starting to seem a bit pathetic to me.”
I chuckled, unfazed. “Don’t worry. My plans will come to fruition, and everything will fall into place.”