Chapter 4 TEMPTATION

I woke up early, the morning light streaming through the sheer curtains, casting soft shadows across the room as I prepared for my first day at work. Excitement bubbled within me, yet a hint of anxiety gnawed at the edges of my thoughts. Diego had left for Chicago just yesterday, and the tension in his voice when I returned from the interview lingered like a storm cloud.

"Dee, I was hired!" I squealed, bursting through the door of our hotel room, my heart racing with the thrill of new beginnings.

He looked up from where he was hastily packing our suitcases, his expression more serious than thrilled. "We are leaving now," he said, urgency in his tone as he zipped the last bag shut.

"What happened?" I asked, my excitement deflating as I took note of Diego's furrowed brow.

"Mr. Valor found out, and they're on their way to get us," he replied grimly.

"They're coming to Alejandro Empire's territory?" Panic surged through me.

"And you know the rule," he retorted, dragging our suitcase to the door. His voice was heavy with implication.

"This could start a war," I replied, sinking onto the edge of the bed, desperate for clarity.

"This ain't a joke, Sof. Lives will be lost in these battles. Yours might be the first," he warned, looking me straight in the eye, his expression grave.

"Why?" I sensed the danger looming closer.

"Because you're lingering in their territory, and you're a traitor to them now," he stated coldly.

"What if we leave?" I asked, grasping for a way out.

"Mr. Valor will go back," he replied, shaking his head as if the answer was painfully obvious.

"How would he even know we've left? How the hell did he find out?" My mind raced, desperately trying to piece together the puzzle.

"He inserted a GPS tracker on your mobile. He called while you were away, and I picked up. He asked me what the hell we were doing in Detroit, so I just told him," Diego admitted, a wretched look on his face.

"And why the hell did you do that, Diego? You know what this means for me!" I shouted, frustration boiling over.

"I can't lie to him, especially when it comes to your safety, Sofia. I couldn't do anything since you left for the interview. You were gone for eight long hours. I was worried sick that the Alejandros would find out about you and have you killed. I tried calling you, only to realize you left your phone at home. I couldn't go there; they would recognize me," Diego explained, his breathing shaky as anxiety washed over him.

"And then you just told my dad? Why?" I pressed, my anger simmering.

"Because I was desperate, Sof," he said, stepping closer to me, his eyes pleading. "I thought if he came, he'd get you out of there."

I forcefully removed my hands from his grip and locked eyes with him, my heart pounding. "Will the upcoming war end the Alejandros?"

"No! But it will end the Valors," he shook his head, his expression a mix of fear and resignation.

"What do they have that could end us?" I asked angrily, determination swelling within me.

"They have Adrian, Sof. That man is far too scary and powerful. He could take down the whole mafia syndicates in this town all by himself," he warned, his voice dropping to a whisper.

"Then I have to be with them to know how to defeat them, Dee. I refuse to leave Detroit for a second time without taking my revenge on them. Mark my words, ensure Mr. Valor doesn't find us!" I declared, making my way to the bathroom for a shower, my thoughts racing.

When I emerged, Diego was nowhere to be found. Moments later, he returned, holding some dinner and a sense of urgency. "I packed my stuff, take this burner phone. I'll be leaving for Chicago in about an hour. I booked my flight, and I'll take your phone with me so if it gets traced, it'll look like you are there. We can communicate with this burner. Please take care of yourself, and I will miss you," he said softly, pressing his lips to my forehead before heading to the door.

"What about Mr. Valor?" I followed him, anxiety clawing at my insides.

"I told him we were leaving together," he replied, climbing into the cab that was waiting to take him to the airport.

"And he agreed?" I asked, trying to mask the concern in my voice.

"He had my dad," he said quietly, the finality in his tone sending a chill down my spine.

Now it made sense why Diego had been so tense; my father was using threats to force him to leave with me. I hoped desperately that I wasn't making the wrong decision here, but a stubborn part of me insisted that this was the right path.

Dressed in a nerdy outfit-dark jeans paired with a stylish top and oversized glasses-I glanced at the clock and panicked. I was supposed to be at the office by nine, but it was already 9:15, and I was still at the hotel. Without wasting another moment, I rushed out and grabbed a cab.

When I jumped out at 9:30, I hurried into the conference room, fully aware I had missed thirty minutes of the briefing. All the other applicants were seated, and dominating the center seat was Adrian-the infamous Adrian Valor, the Destroyer, the Enemy Killer, the youngest Mafia ruler who commanded respect and fear across the city. Clad in his ever-present black tuxedo, he exuded power and authority. As our eyes met, his expression shifted to a "why are you late" look that sent shivers down my spine. It was a mix of intimidation and intrigue, making me feel both thrilled and fearful.

"Sorry, sir. I woke up late," I managed, my heart pounding in rhythm with my anxiety.

"Why won't you be late? You stayed up late fucking someone. Don't let it happen again," he replied, his eyes moving away from me as he returned to his notes, his tone sharp and commanding.

Mortified, I took the only vacant seat near him, trying to shake off the sensation of being completely exposed. The meeting continued under Lucy's direction, outlining policies and expectations, but my mind had drifted. Every time Adrian threw me a glance, it felt like his piercing gaze was stripping away my defenses, leaving me vulnerable. I felt like sending everybody out and fucking the hell out of him.

I couldn't help but steal glances at him. The way his tuxedo clung to his toned body, showcasing his powerful frame, made it hard to focus. My eyes moved hesitantly down from his broad shoulders, tracing the contours of his torso, until they landed dangerously between his thighs. The outline of what lay beneath made my breath hitch. Just as my thoughts spiraled into dangerous territory, I caught myself staring, and he quickly crossed his legs, redirecting my attention forcibly back to the meeting.

"Will we be allowed to go out on weekends?" Valeria, another applicant, spoke up, her voice dripping with flirtation as she aimed her question at Adrian.

"Why?" Lucy asked, raising an eyebrow as she glanced at the blonde who seemed far too eager.

"I can't go a week without having my clit eaten, rrr," Valeria replied, unabashedly shooting a sultry look at Adrian while adjusting her crop top to make her ample cleavage more pronounced.

A wave of irritation washed over me. Was I feeling jealous? I scolded myself internally. Damn it, I needed to get out of here. My thoughts twisted uncomfortably as I watched Valeria command Adrian's attention, the room full of applicants now a competition I hadn't signed up for.

Lucy wrapped up the meeting soon after, and we all signed the necessary contracts. As we headed for the door, Adrian's voice cut through the cacophony like a knife.

"Wait." His command halted us, but he remained engrossed in his phone.

We stood in suspense for a couple of minutes, all of us exchanging nervous glances. Finally, he looked up. "You," he said, his gaze fixed on one of the attendees, but then his eyes narrowed, and he pointed at me. "The nerd."

I felt the rush of heat flood my cheeks. I was the only one dressed so casually; the other two women who would be working as maids were elegantly attired as if preparing for a gala. Lucy glanced at me before turning to leave.

"Maya, you stay," she instructed.

"I'm not a nerd!" I protested, eyeing Adrian, who appeared to ignore me.

"He called you," Lucy said, shaking her head as she left, the door closing behind her.

In the hush of the room, I could feel the scrutiny of Valeria and Martina, their eyes boring into me with a mixture of curiosity and disdain. I stood there, fidgeting, for what felt like an eternity until Adrian finally beckoned me over.

"Come here," he commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I approached him, feeling small under his imposing stature. He put his phone down and stood before me, towering. My heart raced as he leaned close, his breath brushing against my ear.

"You look horny," he whispered, the husky timbre of his voice sending shockwaves through me.

Holy hell, did he just say that? My cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and my pulse quickened, a fire igniting low in my belly as his words penetrated my haze of humiliation.

"Should I make you come?" His fingers traced my jawline, sending sensations coursing through my body that I couldn't ignore. I felt exposed and impossibly aroused, waves of heat swelling through me and pooling in my core.

"Yes, please," I blurted out, the unfiltered desire hanging heavy in the air as his hand fell to my waist.

"You should be ashamed," he replied, leaning closer, the teasing intensity in his eyes challenging me. Then he grabbed his phone behind me and turned to leave, leaving me reeling.

I felt the hardness of him as he brushed against me, an electric jolt that heightened my arousal and embarrassment alike, making me ache for more. I slapped myself internally, trying to regain focus.

"Stay focused, Sofia. You're here for revenge," my inner monologue screamed at me.

"But I can use flirting to get closer to him, and that might aid my revenge," I thought to myself as I shook off my dizzying desire.

With that, I left to check out the building before heading back to the hotel for my things. We planned to depart for Alejandro's Empire by five, and I was determined to seize this moment-the opportunity to fulfill my dreams, which had morphed over these last few months into a singular focus: taking down the Alejandros.