49. Delilah
Chapter forty-nine
Delilah
S itting at Archer’s window, I sighed heavily. It has been a few days since my encounter with Michael, and I still couldn’t wrap my head around it. He never wanted anything to do with me or my family. And I was fine with that up until this point.
When I finally find someone who makes me happy, when I’m working towards a peaceful future between our families… when I have done my best to forget about him completely… why now? Why is now the time to cause me more pain and suffering than relief?
Noticing something being placed on the table beside me, I looked over to see Archer with a cup of tea. Grabbing the handle, I took a small sip before placing the mug back on the table, continuing to gaze outside. Eventually, I felt him take a seat, and my cheeks warmed slightly as he caressed my leg slowly.
“ Princess ,” he said. It was the first time he had spoken to me all morning as he allowed me to sit in silence ever since I’d woken up.
“Hmm?” I replied softly as I gazed at the cars passing below.
He continued running his hand up and down my leg. “You’re overthinking again,” he stated.
I didn’t say anything. He wasn’t entirely wrong, but letting him know that would just prove that he truly does know everything about me.
Shrugging my shoulders, I continued my people-watching when I felt him abruptly turn my face with his hand under my chin. With how he turned my head, I expected him to be agitated that I was essentially ignoring him, but his eyes were soft as he genuinely wanted to make sure I was okay.
“Thinking about it too much will only make you hurt more, baby...” he muttered as he left a small kiss on my cheek.
I nodded my head slowly. “I know,” I muttered, and my breath hitched as he continued caressing my leg. I ignored it and leaned in to kiss his lips, to which he eagerly responded.
Moaning softly into the kiss, I felt him tower over me as he held my waist in his hands. Pulling my body closer to him, he let out a long sigh before resting his head against mine, his eyes closed. He seemed to be having an internal battle… like he was holding something back.
“What’s wrong?” I whispered softly.
He sighed once again. Pulling back, he opened his eyes again, only this time they held a different emotion. Pure lust.
I gulped softly as he gazed down at me as if I were his prey... which was usually the case. He ran his hands up and down my waist, and I bit my lip as my face continued to redden.
“I have an idea or two to get your mind off this. The only issue is that it’s only mildly inappropriate. Definitely wouldn’t work the way my mind is thinking,” he muttered, and my mouth went dry as his hand neared the waistband of my shorts.
A distraction. A naughty… lust-filled distraction could be exactly what I needed.
“W-well… it wouldn’t hurt to try, right?” I whispered, and his eyes only darkened.
“It wouldn’t hurt at all, Princess,” he muttered, and I watched his hand as it slowly entered my bottoms. I squirmed softly as his hand left my skin feeling hot, yet he seemed unfazed. He went lower, and I bit my lip as his hand pressed against my center.
“Archer,” I moaned softly as he pushed aside my underwear and pressed his fingers against my folds.
“My little princess is a bit excited, isn’t she?” he asked, gazing down at me. I don’t know if it was our position or my hormones or just the look in his eyes that demanded my attention and practically told me that he owned me, but I felt on fire.
I felt him up against a bundle of nerves that had never been touched, and I grabbed his wrist as I practically begged him to go faster with my eyes. He found it easy to work his fingers against me as if it were his second nature.
He grabbed my hands and held them in one of his own as he went faster , teasing me and toying with me however he pleased.
“You’re too greedy for your own good,” he muttered, and my face flushed red with embarrassment and excitement as he continued. I felt him at my entrance, and I whined as he pushed a finger in slowly, his thumb still resting on my clit. My hips raised eagerly as he fingered me slowly, and he only tsked as he tried holding me still.
“It’s because you’re so spoiled, you know that?” he asked, and I whimpered as he went faster, allowing for the buildup in my lower abdomen to grow.
“My princess. A spoiled little brat, hmm? Is that what you are, baby?” he asked, and I shook my head.
“N-no,” I whispered, and my eyes threatened to roll back as my legs felt like shaking.
He pinched my clit and I jerked slightly as he shook his head. “Liar,” he growled by my ear, and I only hummed as he went back to his petting.
Looking up at him, I whimpered softly as he placed a kiss on my lips. His tongue was hot as he forced it into my mouth, leaving his delicious taste behind.
Resting his head against mine, he sighed as I bit my lip.
“You have no idea how much I fucking want you,” he uttered.
I leaned my head back as he leaned down, placing small kisses on my neck. What a distraction this was indeed…
“How long I’ve craved this… how much I’ve dreamed about you, Princess.”
My hands grabbed his wrists as his words oddly made me feel more aroused, and he tsked as he ignored me.
“Take what I fucking give you…” he seethed, and the inner masochist in me was happy to oblige as a taunting smile graced his lips. “Now… be a good girl and cum on my fingers,” he muttered, and I moaned loudly as I came undone in his hands.
My chest heaved up and down, and I looked at him in complete shock. He had a satisfied smile as he uttered his next few words.
“I also came up to tell you that breakfast should be ready soon, Princess—but I’m sure that’s the last thing on your mind right now.”
Archer sat lying in the living room as I continued making dinner. I was feeling better, to say the least, but I could only roll my eyes as I thought of how much his ego must be boosted after this morning.
I hoped it wouldn’t go to his head, but knowing Archer, this was probably the highlight of his day.
Mine too.
Feeling someone wrap their arms around my waist, I rolled my eyes again as Archer hugged me from behind.
“Can I help you, Lockwood?” I asked, cutting the veggies, and he placed a kiss on my neck.
“I forgot you knew how to cook. If only you knew how fucking sexy you look doing it.”
I sighed heavily before I turned to face him as I crossed my arms.
“Archer, please. You had your fun this morning, and you’re becoming a bit annoying.”
He huffed in annoyance, and I laughed as I placed a small kiss on his lips.
He groaned as I pulled away and leaned his head into my shoulder. I rolled my eyes again as I ran my hands through his hair. A literal man-child.
We heard the elevator ding, and I tilted my head as Archer lifted his.
“You have company?” I asked him, and he shook his head.
He went to speak, but upon hearing voices from the living room, we both shared a look of irritation.
“Sterling, I swear if you don’t stop chewing like an animal, we’re breaking up.”
“Tiger, you say that like you didn’t threaten me with the same words last week.”
Archer grabbed my hand as we walked over to them. Upon entering the room, I was surprised to see not only Avery with the two of them but also Ivory and Jin.
“Hello, unwelcomed and uninvited guests,” Archer said, annoyed, and I slapped his chest as I looked back over to them.
“Hey, guys. What’s the occasion?” I asked curiously as Ivory held onto Jin’s arm and held a look of slight fear in her eyes.
Kimiko went to speak, but Sterling cut her off.
“To put it plainly, instead of going at it like bunnies like these two are supposed to, they’re fighting like rabbits—”
Kimiko covered his mouth with her hand as a scowl made its way to her face. “What this idiot is trying to say is that Jin and Ivory have been in a bit of a disagreement about whether or not what they know should be shared. Luckily, I was able to overhear their conversation, and we brought them here.”
I tilted my head in confusion as I looked over to Ivory.
“Fighting about what?” I muttered.
Ivory couldn’t meet my eyes.
“Ivory,” I said, doing my best not to use my older-sister tone.
Jin sighed. “Ivory overheard a conversation between Luca and… Archer’s brother, Stephan, and it was about…”
Ivory finished, looking at me, “Michael.”
I felt taken aback for a moment, and Archer placed his hand on my lower back, and his thumb rubbed small circles on my skin.
“S-Stephan is living with him and—and I didn’t want to say anything because L-Luca threatened me. H-he said he knows people who have n-nothing to lose,” she cried as tears began to progressively grow in her eyes.
I shushed her softly as I opened my arms, and she hugged me slowly. I rested my head on the top of hers and sighed. Sometimes, I forget that Ivory isn’t a teenager. She’s twelve, and guys like Luca who threaten little girls could send her into a panic attack.
“Luca can’t know that you know, because if he does... he’ll come after Ivory,” Jin muttered, feeling a bit overwhelmed himself.
“No one is going after anyone. Hasn’t this all gone a little too far?” I asked, feeling like my mind was about to explode.
Archer shook his head. “No. Luca, in a sense, is just like my father. Once you think he’s gone too far, that’s when we should realize that the worst is yet to come,” he muttered.
Sterling spoke once again. “Okay... let’s recap this fucking soap opera for those of us who are simply lost,” he said, pointing to both him and Avery, yet Avery shook his head.
“Sir, I do believe the only person not understanding the circumstances currently is you—” he began.
Sterling held his hand up, silencing him. “SO! As I was saying… Archer is with Delilah, who is the daughter of his father’s rival, and in the midst of that, there is another mysterious lover… Luca,” he began dramatically.
Kimiko held her head in her hand. “Sterling, please—” she started, and he cut her off.
“Who grows angry and jealous of the young couple, and as a result, he gains help from Archer’s half-brother, now enemy… Stephan. Stephan and Luca team up to bring in Michael, Delilah’s biological father, in order to bring the young couple and their soon-to-be empire down! But! Not before Luca stoops so low as to threaten the two love-struck bunnies who are just beginning to explore the wonder of their relationship—”
Kimiko hit Sterling over the head.
“Oww... tiger, that hurt,” he whined.
I felt completely baffled at his explanation of everything that had happened.
“Well, now that you say it out loud… it sounds kind of fucked up,” Jin muttered.
Kimiko hit his shoulder and glared. “Jin! Language!” she yelled. He apologized a few times before Archer spoke.
“Surprisingly, Sterling didn’t do a bad job for once, but he’s missing a few key people. My father undoubtedly played more of a role,” he muttered.
I bit my lip in hesitation. “What about Uncle Eugene?” I asked.
The room was silent.
Ivory pulled away from me and pushed the hair out of her face. “Well, I think Stephan was afraid of someone potentially hurting him, since Luca kept telling him to calm down. Do you think it’s him?” she questioned.
I pondered for a moment.
“We can’t jump to conclusions, but… this would somewhat agree with Uncle Blaine’s idea of Uncle Eugene—how he can’t truly be trusted,” Kimiko muttered.
Sterling said, “Gosh, this sounds like all too much for me to handle. Big Aves, be a dear and get me a glass of ice water from the kitchen.”
Archer turned over to Kimiko. “Shut him up, Masahiko, or I will,” he threatened, and Sterling gasped loudly.
Kimiko turned around, looked at her boyfriend, and smiled softly. “Sterling, that’s enough from you, honey,” she said softly.
Sterling crossed his arms like a child. “But tiger... he’s being mean,” he muttered.
Jin made a face of disgust. “I can’t believe Kimi wears the pants in this relationship.”
Sterling glared. “First of all, that’s stigmatizing, and secondly, worry about your own premature relationship!” he seethed.
I turned to Archer as I blocked them out and shook my head. “They literally have no common sense. It’s actually insane,” I muttered.
He chuckled. “I thought I was insane, Princess?” he asked.
I shook my head. “In comparison… you’re better.” I laughed, and I felt my phone buzz in my pocket.
Thinking it was my mother messaging me, I picked it up to check, but my mouth went dry as I saw it was from an unknown sender and the first few words from the sentence made my blood go cold.
Archer wrapped his arms around me from behind and opened my phone for me as my fingers felt frozen.
Unknown: Delilah. This is Michael. Sweetheart, I would like to speak to you and explain everything if you’d let me. I owe you a million explanations, and I promise that you’ll get them, but I’d like to speak to you in person. I understand you may have hesitation, but it would make me happy if we could have a one-on-one conversation.
Unknown: Father to daughter.
Marissa
Walking up to the cabin with my groceries, I sighed. Michael said he would help us, and although I didn’t want his help… every now and again, it was appreciated, especially when my limp could only get me so far.
Pulling my key out to open the door, I placed it in the lock, only for the door to open fully. My heart began to hammer in my chest, and I stepped in slowly. I looked around for any sign of my parents or anyone else. Entering the living room, I dropped the bags in shock as my parents sat on the couch… motionless with a bullet in both of their chests.
Tears rushed to my eyes, and my heart constricted as I felt the need to scream or let out my sadness to the world, but it soon left me when the front door slammed closed, and I heard his voice.
“Don’t worry. I made sure they were dead this time. Almost got my ass handed to me a few months ago, so... couldn’t fuck the job up again,” Eugene said, coming into the room with a glass of whiskey. He took the final sip before placing it on the table and picking up the gun beside it.
I shook my head frantically as I looked at Eugene, but I felt frozen in place, like I couldn’t move. My nightmare… for many, many nights… years, finally came true.
Eugene shushed me softly as he traced the gun along my face and held it under my chin.
“E-Eugene... Please. Show mercy,” I whispered.
He tilted his head. “Mercy… a strong word, isn’t it? Because I showed you three mercy, my wife and daughter are in danger. Do you know how much it pains me to ignore Brielle, to belittle her, to tear her down... all because I’m not fucking man enough to look my own baby sister in her eyes? To look your daughter—well, her daughter —in the eyes because of the weight of my guilt? All because I showed you all… mercy ? Ironic, isn’t it?” he muttered.
I went to speak when I fell to the ground after being slapped with the gun.
It all happened so fast… as I went to move, he grabbed my hair in a fist.
“Where the fuck is he?” he asked.
I thought about playing dumb, but I knew exactly who he was talking about.
“M-Michael?” I whispered, and he nodded mockingly. I gulped and shook my head frantically. “I-I don’t know. I promise! A-All I know is that some young boys picked him up the other week. I think he mentioned the name Luca,” I spilled.
Eugene looked angry as he carelessly threw me to the ground. “Fucking Crawford,” he muttered, and he glanced back at me. “You have a few weeks… two at most. Then and only then will I come after you. Don’t make me look for yo u.” Afterward, he turned around and left me in the cabin, alone with my dead parents.
I knew Eugene well enough to know when he was administering a threat. I knew what he meant. I knew I would soon have to come to terms with it.
My older brother was giving me less than a month to live.
Delilah
“You shouldn’t meet with him… it’s too risky,” Kimi said, and I could tell she was worried.
After showing the message to everyone, we sent Ivory and Jin away for a moment as we discussed. I was even tempted to send Sterling away, too.
“I agree,” Archer began, and I looked over at him as he continued, “But this could be a chance for us to see what the hell he wants. Understand his motive for returning. Understand if he truly wants to build a relationship with Delilah,” he explained.
We thought about it for a moment.
“If he has other intentions… do you think Uncle Eugene would do something to him?” I asked, and Archer shrugged.
“I believe he might. An opening like this would give him access to both Michael and Stephan. If Eugene truly is working with my father, he wouldn’t do anything to Luca per se, but to keep the peace or to de-escalate things, I think he’d go after Michael,” he muttered, rubbing his hand on my hip, and I sighed.
Kimi shook her head. “If we do this, my father and Uncle Blaine need to be made aware. They need to be kept in the loop of things,” she advised.
I nodded slowly, my mind trying to process what was to happen in less than a week.
I was finally going to properly meet my biological father.