Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask

Chapter 411: Chapter 7 Taking Her Home

Daniel’s POV

I left Lila’s apartment, but she remained embedded in every corner of my mind. The night stretched endlessly as I tossed in my penthouse bed, haunted by images of her radiant smile, that melodic laugh, the way her amber eyes blazed with passion when she spoke about justice and law. When exhaustion finally claimed me, my dreams were consumed by her—visions where she belonged entirely to me, bearing my family name and under my complete protection.

The hours we spent together at Caleb and Ivy’s wedding had only intensified my obsession with her. Lila wasn’t just breathtakingly beautiful; she possessed a razor-sharp intellect, quick wit, and astute observations about our world that constantly surprised me. She made me laugh effortlessly—a rarity in my dangerous profession—and in her presence, the perpetual tension that came with straddling both sides of the law seemed to dissolve completely. That initial magnetic pull I felt upon first glimpsing her at Thorne Corporation had evolved into something far more consuming, more possessive.

Then I kissed her, and my fate was irreversibly sealed. Her lips, tentative at first, melded with mine in such exquisite harmony that it felt as though we were crafted specifically for each other. Our first kiss began awkwardly, charged with nervous energy, but quickly transformed into something extraordinary as our mouths found their perfect rhythm. Lila tasted intoxicatingly sweet, addictively so, and I found myself obsessing over nothing but claiming those lips again.

When we arrived at her building and I pressed her against my armored sedan, my body instinctively caging hers, the fit was absolute perfection. Her petite frame molded against mine as though we were two halves of a whole finally reunited. Every curve, every delicate contour seemed designed specifically to complement my larger form. Christ, this woman was driving me to the brink of madness.

I woke this morning with my head spinning and a gnawing terror that Lila might decide she wanted nothing to do with a man from my world. For the first time in my career of calculated moves and strategic planning, I felt utterly lost about how to proceed. The anticipation of her decision was slowly killing me—I desperately needed to hear her say she wanted me with the same fierce intensity that consumed my every waking moment. Instead, I had condemned myself to this torturous limbo that threatened what remained of my sanity.

Desperate for distraction, I called Finn, who had mentioned his downtown apartment was available for rent. We met to inspect the property, and he proved every bit the refined gentleman his household was known to be in Greenleaf—polished and diplomatic, as befitted someone from his distinguished family. The apartment was exactly what I needed for my operations, and I agreed to take it immediately. We arranged to handle the paperwork through the week.

Since the place came fully furnished with high-end security features, I could move in right away. My tactical mind immediately began formulating a plan to draw Lila in and end this agonizing waiting period. Giving her an open-ended timeframe to deliberate had been foolish strategy. If she didn’t contact me today, I would invite her to dinner tomorrow night.

She didn’t call. The waiting was driving me to distraction. I channeled my restless energy into preparing the perfect dinner for the next evening—procuring the finest ingredients, ensuring the apartment’s security systems were optimized. My cover story would be showing her my new place, and if necessary, I’d play on her emotions by saying I wanted to celebrate my recent promotion with someone who mattered. Everything was meticulously prepared, but I faced another interminable night without her.

The next day, opportunity presented itself perfectly. Adler and I needed to visit Thorne Corporation to take Ivy’s official statement regarding recent family business. My pulse quickened when the elevator doors opened, revealing Lila at her reception desk, completely absorbed in legal documents—just like that first time I’d seen her. I drew a steadying breath, trying to regain my composure.

"Get yourself together, Martinez," I muttered under my breath. "You’re not some lovesick rookie."

Jude intercepted us as we exited the elevator, strategically holding Adler back while shooting me a knowing look. Seizing the moment, I approached Lila’s workstation.

She addressed me formally as "Inspector Martinez," which I quickly corrected to just "Daniel." I noticed how she became visibly nervous in my presence, her words stumbling over each other as a beautiful blush colored her cheeks when I took her delicate hand. I seized the opening and extended my dinner invitation.

"I can’t tonight," she responded, deflating my hopes instantly. "I’m meeting with the girls."

"Ah, the sisterhood, as Caleb calls your little circle," I remarked, fighting every instinct to kiss her right there in the corporate lobby. I reached out to tuck a wayward strand of hair behind her ear, allowing my fingers to linger against her soft skin. "But weren’t these gatherings usually on Tuesdays? Today’s Monday."

She explained they’d rescheduled their meeting, so I immediately suggested the following evening. When she mentioned having law classes, I smoothly countered that I’d pick her up afterward. She couldn’t evade me this time, especially when Adler approached at that precise moment. Perfect timing—I’d established a clear deadline for her decision.

Leaving Thorne Corporation, I felt considerably more confident after the guys mentioned Lila seemed eager to discuss something with her friends, which explained the schedule change. This development seemed promising for my cause.

But by late afternoon, the situation escalated dramatically—Ivy received a direct threat, suggesting all the women in their circle might be targets of some unhinged individual threatening Caleb’s wife. I absolutely refused to leave Lila alone and vulnerable in her apartment. Despite Caleb offering sanctuary at the Thorne family compound, I wanted her under my personal protection. I would bring her to my place, and her inevitable protests wouldn’t change my mind.

That evening at the Social Union, while the women held their emergency meeting somewhere in the building, I shared my concerns and strategies with the other men. When the night finally concluded, I waited for Lila at the main reception area.

"Hello, beautiful," I greeted her, kissing her cheek and tucking that rebellious strand of hair behind her ear again—I’d noticed earlier how she responded to that particular touch. "Ready to go home?"

She nodded and waved farewell to her friends, but as we walked toward my vehicle, she turned to me with predictable objections.

"Daniel, you really don’t need to trouble yourself with hosting me. This seems like an overreaction."

"Little one, it’s decided," I stated firmly, using the tone that ended all arguments in my professional life. "You’re not staying alone with some lunatic making threats against one of your friends."

"Daniel, it’s really unnecessary—" she began to protest, but I silenced her with my most authoritative look.

"You know what?" I simply bent down, lifted her over my shoulder in one fluid motion, and continued walking toward my car. "We’re going home."