Marco
I like Leona. She is smart. I'd give her that. She was careful with her words, never saying too much or too little. She didn't ask unnecessary questions, but she also never looked completely indifferent. She was the kind of woman I needed by my side. But I won't keep her close without testing her.
I fed her bits and pieces of my world, some truth, some carefully planted lies. I watched how she reacted, how her eyes changed, how her fingers twitched. If she was working for someone, if she was a snake slithering her way into Inferno, I'd know soon enough.
But there was one problem. I liked playing with her or rather I wanted this whole "fiancee" thing real, but other than that. I liked watching her even more.
.
I sat back in my office, a glass of whiskey in my hand, watching the security feed of Inferno. Leona was behind the bar, moving effortlessly through the crowd, her expression calm, composed. Like she was meant for this. I took a slow sip. Interesting.
"Boss," Jand, my right hand man, voice came from the doorway.
I turned my head slightly. "What?"
"Rafael called."
I sighed, setting my glass down. "And?"
"He wants to see you."
Of course he did. Rafael never asked for anything, he demanded it. I ran a hand down my face. "Fine."
.
At home, Rafael leaned against the bar in my study, his sharp eyes following me as I poured myself another drink.
"You've been occupied lately," he said, his voice smooth, measured. "Something keeping you busy?"
I smirked. "Business, as usual."
Rafael lifted a brow. "Business, or someone ?"
I exhaled slowly, swirling the whiskey in my glass. "What are you getting at?"
"That girl," Rafael said casually. "Leona."
I kept my expression unreadable. "What about her?"
"You've been… watching her."
I leaned against the desk, meeting his gaze. "She works for me."
"That's all?"
I tilted my head. "What else would she be?"
Rafael let out a quiet chuckle, setting his glass down.
"You tell me, Marco."
I didn't answer. Because honestly? I wasn't even sure myself. Leona intrigued me. There was something about her, something that made me want to pick her apart, to see what was beneath that perfect, controlled surface.
But Rafael didn't need to know that. For now.
"I just find her interesting," I said finally.
Rafael smirked. "That's a dangerous word for you."
I took a slow sip of my drink. "Maybe."
….
Later that night, Isabella cornered me in the hallway. She was always one to poke at things, never letting anything slide. And right now, her curiosity was directed at me.
"Can you be honest with me ? Who is she really?" she asked, arms crossed.
I exhaled. "Be more specific."
"Leona."
I gave a lazy shrug. "She works for me."
Isabella narrowed her eyes. "That's it ?"
I smirked. "What else would she be?"
Isabella scoffed. "I don't know, Marco. Maybe your latest plaything ? But that didn't look like it. Because Rafael mentioned her, and Rafael never cares about any of the women around you."
I took another sip of my drink. "She's fine. You can always see her in Inferno."
"She works for you," Isabel repeated, giving me a skeptical look.
"Yeah."
Isabella's lips parted slightly, then.
"Your fiancée works for you?" she blurted out.
I didn't even flinch.
"Yeah," I said flatly.
Isabella's eyes widened. "Why?"
I shrugged. "Why not?"
She stared at me like I'd lost my mind. "So let me get this straight… You got engaged to her, but she still works at your club?"
I smirked. "Looks that way, doesn't it?"
Isabella shook her head, mumbling something under her breath before walking away. I chuckled.
.
Back at Inferno, I watched Leona from the corner of my eye. She was talking to Elena, her posture relaxed, her lips slightly curved as she poured a drink. She looked…comfortable.
I leaned against the bar, letting my gaze linger on her. I liked watching her try to keep up. Liked pushing her, I corrected her in front of everybody, shouted at her, just to see how much she could take before she finally broke. But she didn't. But what I hadn't expected…was how much I enjoyed it.
And that was going to be a problem.