Read with BonusRead with Bonus

Chapter 3: LUCIEN DELANO

I shrank back in distress, trying to come to terms with this bolt from the blue; also trying hard to hide behind burly Jazz as Lucien Delano began to speak.

That heartbreakingly familiar voice from that single night of passion, raspy and gruff, thanked the people who had turned up to wish him well. He made a joke, and everyone roared with laughter, but I wasn't listening; something about an injury while “f*cking a woman” which had somehow led to his being hurt in the leg, which was why he was limping. At any other time, I would have winced at his derogatory words regarding the woman but I was too traumatised to think lucidly. The drumming of the blood in my ears shut out all the sounds around me.

He can't see me, I told myself, and I peeked from behind Jazz. With a shock, I realised that I was hungry to catch a glimpse of him. Of those wide shoulders and the powerful, muscled chest, of that hard, square chin with a dimple…

And with it came the thought swift and painful, was he married? And if so, to whom?

A feeling of intense jealousy overcame me, and I almost sobbed. Luckily, my friends were too tipsy to notice, and I thrust my fist into my mouth to stop myself from crying out.

The sound of renewed applause brought me back to reality. I realised he was leaving the podium and preparing to mingle with the guests. How would this big-shot billionaire react when he saw me here, the street urchin he had made such intense love to, just a few nights ago?

Alarmed, I tried to think of what to do.

"Tanya, I'm heading to the ladies." I croaked, but it was too late, Jazz turned with a strange expression on his face and murmured warningly,

'Don't run away now, Marty the Mouse.'

To my horror, I saw that Thomas was weaving his way towards us, with Lucien Delano leading the way.

I shrank as the man's pale, almost colourless eyes fell on me. The expressions that came over his face for a split second were those of unbridled lust and triumph, all mingling into one before it was replaced by a smooth mask.

Approaching our group, by-passing another set of people who had been eagerly moving toward him, Delano shook hands with each of us, listening intently as the introductions were made. But it was as though his interest was directed at me, the laser-sharp gaze raking me, almost hungrily.

Was it just me who felt this?  I could feel the panic within me as he came to my side.

"Oh, and this is Tanya's roommate," said Thomas in a dismissive tone, signifying that I was too unimportant for words. He sneered at me, as though in the memory of that disastrous night when I had fled from the molestation he and his friends had been planning.

But Delano had stepped to me, shielding me from the gaze of the people around us, with his bulky figure effectively towering over me as I gazed unseeingly into the hungry eyes of the man before me.

I gripped my glass of juice tightly.

I would NOT shake hands with this man.

The truth was, I could not bear to touch him for I was not sure how I would react, with my traitorous body clamouring for his touch.

Rachel nudged me urgently as I stood, rigid, like a trapped rabbit.

Lucien Delano stepped forward, his bodyguards flanking him. He was too close for comfort, and I was aware in some distant part of my head that my friends were staring at us strangely.

He stood, rocking slightly on his heels, as he looked down at me, his eyes glittering.

With a twist of his lips, he took in my white face, the way I was biting my bottom lip to try and control myself and his eyes slid over my body, like the rough touch of a lover. Thrusting his fists into the pockets of his dinner jacket, he watched me as I shuddered at his nearness which made me heady with longing,

He murmured softly, just for my ears, 'So we meet again, little girl."

As his words sank into my frantic mind, I caught a glimpse of Thomas’ face, gleaming with a look of malevolence that took me by shock.

Why had I not opted to stay home and avoid this party; avoid meeting HIM all over again, unsuspecting idiot that I was, I thought wretchedly as he moved away, his train of people with him...


What happened after that? I have no idea. Lucien Delano moved away in a swirl of people, but the man's unspoken threat lingered. His overwhelming presence had made me weak at the knees, and I felt lightheaded and terrified.

Tanya and Rachel glanced at me with some curiosity, clearly puzzling over the strange way the billionaire had greeted me and my fear which was obviously writ large on my face. But the drinks that appeared frequently and the company around them kept them from asking questions. Jazz kept an arm anchored around Tanya's waist and sent me a look of pure glee as he gently guided her away from me. Rachel was too far gone to pursue the matter, and I was left almost alone in the midst of that sea of humanity.

my friends moved onto the dance floor while I hung back, too dazed to move my legs. Being pawed by some drunk young man made me feel revolted. All I could see was the mocking face of the man called Lucien Delano, billionaire and playboy, the man who owned the biggest fight club in town.

My cheeks grew hot as I thought about what Lucien must have told his friends about me; at the age of eighteen, you are so unsure of yourself, and having lived with my oppressive uncle, my self-confidence was next to nil.

All of a sudden, it was too much for me. Murmuring an excuse, I walked away hastily, searching for a washroom. The labyrinthine house seemed to be flooded with people, women who tottered on high heels, giggling ridiculously, and men in smoking jackets with roving eyes. I walked blindly into the dim interiors of the enormous house.

There was just one thought that kept resonating in my mind.

I needed to escape. I needed to run.

I did NOT want to end up under the control of a man who was unbelievably powerful; who could crush my heart with a flick of his thumb with total indifference.

In the large mirrors of the spacious washroom, I gazed at my reflection. The pale-faced young woman with a haunted expression stared at me, her brown eyes huge pools of fear and confusion; a wide, plum-coloured mouth, dressed in a sober pearl pink gown that hugged her figure in all the right places, lovingly cupping my full breasts. My deep brown hair had been curled at the ends and swung alluringly around my waist. The minimal eye makeup I had on made my eyes seem large, and the lashes were darker than ever.

Was that really me?

###10. Trying to HIde

What happened after that? I have no idea. Lucien Delano moved away in a swirl of people but the man's unspoken threat lingered. His bodyguards accompanied him and he left with the eager, obnoxious Thomas leading the way. I stood, unable to breathe, clutching the glass in my hand. His overwhelming presence had made me weak at the knees and I felt lightheaded and terrified.

Tanya and Rachel glanced at me in some curiosity clearly puzzling over the strange way the billionaire had greeted me and my fear which was obviously writ large on my face. But the drinks that appeared frequently and the company around kept them from asking questions. Jazz kept an arm anchored around Tanya's waist and sent me a look of pure glee as he gently guided her away from me. Rachel was too far gone to pursue the matter and I was left almost alone in the midst of that sea of humanity.

As I sank onto a seat nearby, I mulled over how Jazz had been instrumental in ensuring I came for the party.

My cheeks grew hot as I thought about what Thomas must have told him about me for from the easy camaraderie they shared, it was obvious that they played on the same team and were good friends. Besides, at the age of eighteen, you are so unsure of yourself and have been with my oppressive uncle, my self-confidence was next to nil.

That Tanya had been totally unaware of her lover's deviousness was something I knew instinctively. She was just not the type to play such games and try to trick me into accompanying them to a party thrown by Lucien Delano.

And she would never do that to me of all people.

All of a sudden, it was too much for me. Murmuring an excuse, I walked away hastily, searching for a washroom. The labyrinthine house seemed to be flooded with people, women who tottered about on high heels, giggling ridiculously, and men in smoking jackets and roving eyes. I walked blindly into the dim interiors of the house.

There was just one thought that kept on echoing in my mind.

I needed to escape. I needed to run.

I did NOT want to end up in the control of a man who was unbelievably powerful; who could crush my heart with a flick of his thumb with total indifference.

I gazed at my reflection in the spacious washroom's large mirrors. A pale-faced young woman with a haunted expression stared at me, her brown eyes huge pools of fear and confusion; her wide, plum-colored mouth trembling with reaction, dressed in a sober pearl pink gown that hugged her figure in all the right places. My deep mahogany hair had been curled at the ends by Rachel and swung alluringly around my waist. The minimal eye makeup I had on made my eyes seem large, the lashes darker than ever.

Was that really I?

I dabbed at my face and was retouching my mouth when the door opened and two young women tumbled in. I recognized one; Thomas' arm candy. Our eyes met in the mirror as she continued her conversation with her friend who looked doped.

I knew that drugs were being circulated at the party but in a surreptitious manner. And from what I had noticed as I stood, trying to regain my bearings, the dealer was Jazz.

As I was standing in the corner, trying to remove the heavy mascara, the girls glanced at me disinterestedly and then, gave me a second look, rakign over me in curiosity before resuming their conversation.

The brunette who had been hanging on Thomas’ arm obviously thought I was of no consequence and continued her slurred conversation with her friend who seemed as though she could barely stand upright. I focussed on my reflection but the droning sound of the girls' voices simply could not be ignored.

"Yeah, Delano is some guy, all right. Dripping cash...I mean, look at this house! The f*cker is LOADED!!!"

I stiffened but kept on with my task though my hands were shaking at the mention of the man.

The doped woman murmured something incoherently and Thomas' girl replied, retouching her already red mouth,

'He's old and all that yeah, the late thirties, I'd say.’

She giggled maliciously as she went on,

“ Tommy's mom thought she'd got her long claws into him and all...(another drunk chuckle)... turned out he wasn't keen on marrying.’

She leaned against the wall, giggling. And in reply to her companion’s mumble, she went on dismissively,

‘ No, he's never been married. Too busy playing the field and HOW!!!’

A tall woman who had entered with them and had been leaning against the door for support, piped up in a whispery voice that grated, as sh straightened up and stretched, yawning widely.

"Belle, he must've slept with half the women here!' she sighed.

I trembled but they didn't seem to notice my reaction although the lipstick I was fumbling with, almost dropped to the floor in my agitation.

She added wistfully, "Damn. Wish he'd look my way, babe!'

Again, the girls chortled hysterically and I made to turn and leave.

I had had enough.

Thomas' girl, Belle went on, as she changed her earrings and prepared to snort some coke that she was carefully lining along the side of the marble washbasin.

'Y'know, I heard that Naomi Grimm [she mentioned the name of an upcoming starlet] is his latest f*ck toy!'

They giggled.

Yawning as she sat down on the seat facing the mirror, Belle remarked

'AND there's a rumor he's seeing Senator J" she added, [one of those powerhouse women in politics and drop-dead gorgeous, I thought jealously] as they commented, almost longingly,

"Got to be something in bed!"

‘The f*cking Silver Fox has great libido. He can like, take three women, one after the other in one night. I mean like, Jeez!’

‘Heard he has some monstrous weapon in those trousers, bae!’ chortled Belle, straightening up and sniffing as she wiped some white powder off her nostrils.

And now they giggled raucously while the tall girl collapsed onto the floor, laughing loudly.

Belle’s eyes met mine in the mirror and her gaze narrowed slightly as she realized that I had heard their conversation. She turned her attention to me as I stepped out from the c where I had been half-hidden. I picked up my purse,

"Hey you, you are not from our set…you're the one who stays with Tanya, aren't you?'

I hastily mumbled my assent and gave a false smile and turned to leave.

"Looks good when she wears decent stuff!" I heard her say to her friend as I closed the door behind me.

Having stumbled away blindly from them, I stopped breathlessly and leaned against the wall, eyes closed, trying to breathe normally. My brain was having a task processing the conversation I had been privy to.

Lucien Delano the silver fox, was Dangerous.

High Risk for a naïve fresh from school, sheltered girl like me.

All I wanted to do was get away from here, as far away as I could! But knowing my friends, they would keep drinking and dancing for as long as they could.

I made my way back down the corridor slowly, heading toward the loud music. But to my horror, I soon realized that I had taken a wrong turn. The corridor I had walked along opened out onto a tiny balcony. Stepping out longingly into the cool night air, I raised my face to the cloudy sky where the moon appeared in glimpses.

What was I going to do???

How could I get through the evening without meeting Lucien Delano???

It was His house after all and the man knew that I was here; the look he had given me as he moved away had brought out the fear of the Lord in me.

I leaned against the balustrade, closing my eyes for an instant, praying...for what?

One part of me whispered, Liar, you can't wait to see him, to have him do what he wants with you...

The sound of a door opening from somewhere close by made me open my eyes, startled.

Safer to be in the crowd than alone here.

As I took a step forward, I heard voices and I froze.

The balcony was also facing a private room and the French windows leading from the room were open. Two people stepped onto the balcony and I stood stock still beside the large potted palm, willing myself to remain still. Hoping they would not notice me. I shrank into the space even more as I saw who it was.

There could be no doubt about the identity of the burly man who walked with a familiar swagger, dragging his leg slightly.

Lucien Delano.

Previous Chapter
Next Chapter