The Mafia Boss Brought His Secretary as His Fake Date—Then Got Jealous When Every Man Wanted Her
Chapter 9
Damien Cross disappeared the next morning.
His house was empty.
His private accounts had been drained.
His security team was gone.
Adrian immediately increased Elena’s protection.
She hated it.
Three bodyguards followed her everywhere.
She couldn’t step outside without someone checking the street.
She couldn’t go to work.
She couldn’t even walk through Adrian’s house alone without security appearing nearby.
“This is insane,” she said.
Adrian looked up from his laptop.
“It’s necessary.”
“You’ve said that six times today.”
“I’ll say it seven.”
She sat across from him.
“Do you trust me?”
“Yes.”
“Then stop treating me like a prisoner.”
He sighed.
“You’re not a prisoner.”
“Then let me help.”
Adrian stared at her.
“You could get hurt.”
“I already got hurt.”
She touched her pendant.
“I’ve spent fourteen years living inside a lie. I’m not hiding anymore.”
He remained silent.
Finally, he nodded.
“Fine.”
“Fine?”
“You help.”
She smiled.
“Thank you.”
“But you stay with me.”
Her smile faded.
“That’s not helping.”
“It helps me.”
She laughed.
“There it is again.”
“What?”
“Jealousy.”
He stood.
“You’re enjoying this.”
“Very much.”
Adrian walked toward her.
“I watched Damien touch you.”
“And?”
“I nearly lost control.”
She smiled.
“You’re still jealous.”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
He frowned.
“Good?”
“It means you’re human.”
He stopped in front of her.
“Don’t tell anyone.”
She laughed.
He kissed her forehead.
Then his phone rang.
An unfamiliar number.
Adrian answered.
A voice spoke.
“Bring Elena to the old courthouse.”
“Who is this?”
“You know who.”
The line ended.
Adrian looked at Elena.
“Was that him?”
“Yes.”
“Are you going?”
“No.”
Elena stood.
“Yes.”
“No.”
“He wants the pendant.”
“Exactly.”
“So we use it.”
Adrian shook his head.
“You don’t understand.”
“I do.”
She stepped closer.
“He thinks I’m the key.”
“You are.”
“Then let him come for me.”
Adrian’s expression became fierce.
“No.”
“Elena—”
“No.”
She touched his chest.
“You said you trusted me.”
“I do.”
“Then trust me to stand beside you.”
He stared at her.
Then pulled her into his arms.
“I hate that you make sense.”
She smiled against his chest.
“I know.”
They went to the old courthouse that night.
The building was abandoned.
Dark.
Silent.
They entered through a side door.
At the center of the main hall stood Damien Cross.
He was alone.
At least, he appeared to be.
“Elena,” he said.
Adrian stepped in front of her.
“You wanted me.”
Damien smiled.
“No.”
His eyes moved to Elena.
“I wanted what belongs to her.”
He pointed at the pendant.
“Give it to me.”
Elena held it tightly.
“No.”
Damien sighed.
“You’re making this difficult.”
Suddenly lights came on.
Men appeared on every balcony.
Weapons pointed toward them.
Adrian immediately drew his gun.
Damien smiled.
“You brought the mafia boss.”
He looked amused.
“I was wondering how long it would take him to realize the fake date wasn’t fake anymore.”
Adrian froze.
Damien looked at Elena.
“He loves you.”
Elena’s heart raced.
Then Damien said the words that changed everything.
“But he has no idea what your father did to his family.”
