CHAPTER 19
The muffled bass from the club outside
thudded against the walls of the small bathroom. I leaned on the edge of the sink, my thoughts racing. Marco Salvani. Here. It felt like the universe had tossed a wild card
into our carefully stacked deck.
“Daniel,” I whispered into the earpiece. “It’s really Marco Salvani and it looks like he knows Gregor.”
Daniel’s voice came through calm but laced with that edge of calculated frustration. “Not surprising. Same birds. flock together. Just stick to the plan, Daphne. He doesn’t change anything.”
Before I could answer, a soft knock at the door startled me. My heart leapt into my throat as I turned the lock and cracked the door open. It was Blake.
He stepped in, his face already set in determination. “What’s going on? You‘ ve
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been gone too long.”
“Marco Salvani,” I said, keeping my voice. low. “He bid on me, Blake. A hundred thousand dollars. This wasn‘ t in the script.”
Blake’s eyebrows shot up. “Salvani?” His jaw tightened, but then he exhaled, his expression shifting to one of resolve. “Alright, you can go now. I’ll handle Gregor. I’ll lure him to the private room. like we planned. You need to get out of here before Salvani figures out who you are.”
“I’m not leaving,” I argued, crossing my arms. “Not until-”
“You are,” Blake said, his tone sharper now. “We can’t risk Salvani recognizing you. Get back to the couch, act normal, and
then leave. Trust me on this.”
I clenched my fists but nodded reluctantly.
We stepped back out into the thrumming chaos of the club, Blake moving seamlessly
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back to Gregor, leaning in with a flirtatious. laugh. Meanwhile, I forced myself to return to the couch where Salvani waited.
“Apologies for keeping you waiting,” I said with a coy smile as I slid back into my seat.
Marco tilted his head, studying me like a predator sizing up its prey. “I was
beginning to think you weren’t coming back.”
I kept my smile in place. “I wouldn’t dare.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Blake turning up the charm. Gregor’s grin grew wider as he leaned closer to Blake. Perfect. The plan was falling into place.
Moments later, I placed a hand on my temple and swayed slightly. Marco was immediately at my side, steadying me.
“Are you alright?” he asked, his voice low and oddly gentle.
Blake seized the opportunity, stepping in smoothly. “Dorothy‘ s not feeling well,” he
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said, gesturing to me. “I’ll take her outside for some air.”
Marco s grip on my arm tightened. “I paid one hundred grand for her. She’s not going anywhere.”
Blake‘ s laughter was disarming. “Relax, man. She just needs a minute. You can keep the money. Consider it a generous tip.”
Marco‘ s jaw tightened, his dark eyes narrowing behind the mask. “I don’t think you understand. I paid for her time. She stays.”
Anger bubbled up inside me, and I yanked my arm free. “I’m not a possession,” I snapped.
Blake grabbed my wrist gently, his grip a silent warning. “Let’s not escalate this, Dorothy,” he murmured.
Marco leaned back, his smirk infuriating. “Smart girl.”
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Before I could retort, Chlyrus appeared, sliding into the scene with his usual nonchalance.
“Hey, Dorothy!” he said brightly, draping an arm around my shoulder as if we were old friends. “Didn’t expect to see you here. tonight.”
Marco‘ s expression darkened. “Who the hell are you?”
Chlyrus grinned at him. “Just a friend. Didn’t realize you’d already staked your claim. Relax, man, we‘ re just catching
up.”
Marco‘ s eyes narrowed. “She’s with me.”
Chlyrus shrugged. “If she’s
uncomfortable, maybe you should let her go. Forcing someone to stay isn‘ t exactly charming, you know?”
The tension between the two was palpable. Marco’s knuckles were white against the glass in his hand.
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“Fine,” I said abruptly, standing and pulling Marco up with me. My blood was boiling, but I managed a sly smile. “Let’s go then. I’ll stay with you. But don’t think for a second this means you own me.”
Chlyrus shot me a warning glance, but I ignored it. Marco‘ s smirk widened, his ego clearly inflated by my sudden compliance.
As we walked away, Daniel’s voice crackled in my ear. “Daphne, what are you doing? This wasn‘ t part of the plan.”
“Neither was Marco Salvani,” I muttered under my breath. “But trust me, I know what I’m doing.”
The truth was, I didn‘ t. But I’d be damned if I let Marco Salvani walk away unscathed.
As we entered the elevator, the doors slid shut, sealing me inside with Marco Salvani. My breath hitched as the air between us
grew heavy. He didn’t look at me, his dark
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ntiv, sts fixed on the glowing numbers as we
My bended. I glanced at him from the corner y smile y eye. His presence was suffocating yet 1. But doxicating, a mix of familiarity and is younger that made my pulse race.
warnin ad no idea who I was. Not tonight. Not
s smintis disguise.
ed by mys
usted my posture, ensuring the wig dprosthetics held firm. The soft hum of av. Danie levator filled the silence, but my mind. ar. “Daphnoud with memories. His cologne, that t part heady mix of cedar and spice, clawed
my resolve.
rco Salva
. “But truth the elevator dinged, he stepped out,
escride purposeful. I followed a few steps id, my heels clicking softly against the didn’t floor. The hallway was quiet, lit
le
farco Sakurco
by warm sconces. At the door to his
he turned, flashing a faint smirk, and
Le elevatored it.
inside wnside
ed as the fas
you,” he murmured.
didn‘ thaped inside, my nerves steadied as I
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turned to face him, my lips curving into a smile. This night was going to be fun.
