40. Delilah
Chapter forty
Delilah
W alking into my office, I placed the files to go through on my desk. Glancing down at the advanced financial literacy homework, sitting by the weekly reports I had to review, I knew I had a long afternoon ahead of me. Archer was currently in his father’s office talking to him, and I had the option to listen in to their conversation, but I opted out of it to get myself situated.
I stepped out of my office but flinched slightly as Luca stood before me, leaning against Archer’s desk. He looked through a few papers and occasionally made a face while reading.
I bit my tongue as I ignored him and walked to the file cabinet. Picking up one of the folders I needed, I continued looking through the papers, and he spoke as he read and looked over to me slowly.
“Hello there, doll.”
I didn’t say anything as I continued looking through the folder.
He sighed as he placed the file back on the desk. He folded his hands in his lap and tilted his head. “Can’t help but feel as though I’m being ignored,” he said, pouting sarcastically, and I glared over at him.
“The more I talk to you, Crawford, the more you find a way to use my words against me. It’s better that I keep to myself when around you,” I replied.
He nodded. “That’s right. I completely forgot I threatened you with blackmail. It seems like it was such a long time ago.”
“Try just a few weeks,” I muttered, and he chuckled as he stood up.
“You’re such a little spitfire. It’s adorable, really,” he said mockingly.
I thankfully found what I was looking for. Slamming the drawer shut, I made a beeline for my office but stopped when “miraculously,” Luca made his way in front of me.
“What do you want, Luca?” I asked, annoyed, and he gazed down at me, his eyes filled with amusement at my expense as usual.
“Just wanted to see how you’re holding up.”
“As long as I can keep my distance from you, I find that I’ve been holding up pretty well.”
He took one step closer, and I took a few back, almost losing my balance from how fast I moved. He watched my actions and grinned.
“And despite your loathing,” he continued, his voice a low, almost teasing murmur, “I still find that resilience and stubbornness of yours quite alluring.”
“I’d say that indicates you might have a psychological issue.”
His grin only widened. “Maybe so. Unfortunately, you don’t see us together, and while I’d rather not make you despise me, it seems I might have to. You and Archer shouldn’t be together, and I intend to make that a reality.”
“And you and I should be together?” I asked, and he shrugged.
“In an ideal world. Yes.”
“You’re delusional,” I seethed.
He towered over me slightly as I looked up at him, remaining still.
“Be careful, doll. This little fantasy you and Archer live in won’t last long if you keep that attitude towards me.” I narrowed my eyes at him as he shrugged. “Besides,” he muttered, “are you truly pleased with a boy who cries and throws a tantrum when his older brother doesn’t want to be bothered with him?”
My face went blank. How the hell did he know? I began to think, but as if a switch went off in my brain, I jabbed my heel onto his shoe, causing him to step away quickly. I glared at him as I slowly approached him, to which he now started backing away, his smug demeanor faltering slightly.
“You don’t talk about my boyfriend like that at all. You know nothing of his feelings toward his family, and you have no right getting involved in anything we do. So keep your fucking mouth shut, or my heel won’t just be stepping on your foot.”
“Ah... ‘boyfriend.’ So we’re on labels now?” Luca laughed, and I could practically feel the steam coming out of my ears.
I heard a throat clear, and Luca rolled his eyes as he looked over to the source.
“And the man of the hour returns.”
The footsteps approached, and I averted my eyes.
“You can leave now, Luca. You’ve done enough today,” Archer said, and Luca sighed.
“Not a problem. Congratulations on making things official.” He winked at me as he left the room, and I sighed as I turned and looked at Archer.
The door closed, and Archer smiled.
“Whatever happened to moving slow, Princess? Now I’m your boyfriend?” he asked.
I rolled my eyes as I walked over to him and placed my hands on his chest. “Don’t let it get to your head, Lockwood.”
He chuckled as he pulled me closer by the waist. “You know you could’ve broken his toe?”
I only shrugged. “And I was hoping I would, but there’s always next time... No one talks about my boyfriend that way.”
Archer chuckled and leaned down to my ear. “I like the sound of that, Princess,” he muttered.
I rolled my eyes. “Of course you do.”
I smiled before he kissed my lips, instantly dissolving any lingering negativity from earlier.
Omniscient
Luca stepped out of Calvin’s building, a deep sigh escaping his lips. He hadn’t wanted things to escalate to this point, but the satisfaction of witnessing Archer’s downfall outweighed any reservations he had. If Delilah had to be collateral damage in the process, then so be it. The thrill of seeing Archer brought low was worth any price.
He got into his car and headed to an apartment complex not too far from the building. Upon entering one of the flats, he saw Stephan sitting at the kitchen bar, emotionless.
Luca patted his back. “Go get ready. We’re going out for a bit.”
Stephan shook his head, and Luca sighed. Hopefully this doesn’t take too long. “ Let’s go. We need to do a few things—”
“Like what!” Stephan snarled, his voice tinged with bitterness. “There’s no point anymore in all of this.”
“You need to pull yourself together,” Luca said firmly. “If we’re going to stop your father’s plans, I need you to look like you actually give a damn and that you’re not just wallowing in fucking misery…”
Stephan’s eyes flickered with a mix of anger and resignation. “And what if I don’t care, huh? What if I don’t give a damn?”
“You will in a minute,” Luca muttered dismissively, taking a seat on the stool beside him as Stephan furrowed his eyebrows.
As if on cue, the phone and Luca smiled as he picked it up. “Well, hello, Michael. It took you long enough to respond.”
Stephans’s eyes widened as Michael replied, “You said you had some information in regards to my family that you think I should know about.”
Luca chuckled. “We’ll get to that in a little while, but before we do that… we need to get you to New York.”
“Why?”
Luca chuckled internally, and Stephan didn’t miss the evil glint that passed in his eyes. “Because... I think it’s time Delilah met Father Dearest. Wouldn’t you agree?”