Page 47 of Malevolent Secrets

The club is still waking up, staff bustling around, preparing for the night's festivities. I spot Carla near the bar, her sharp eyes scanning the room, always alert.

“Carla,” I call out, and she turns to us, her expression curious.

“All done with the tour?” she asks, her gaze shifting to Daniella.

“Yes.”

“Come with me Daniella. I’ll show you to where you’ll be working.

Daniella glances at me and I offer a reassuring nod. “You’ll be in good hands with Carla. She’s one of the best.”

“Thank you,” Daniella says, her voice steady, though I can see the nerves in her eyes.

As Carla leads her away, I watch them go, a mix of pride and protectiveness swelling within me.

Daniella is stepping into a world of shadows and secrets, a world that could consume her if she’s not careful. But she’s strong, stronger than most and I know she’ll thrive.

I turn away and make my way to my office, the familiar surroundings offering a strange comfort. The door closes behind me with a soft click and I take a moment to gather my thoughts.

This is a delicate game we’re playing and every move must be calculated. Daniella’s safety is paramount, but so is maintaining the balance of power within our organization.

I settle into my chair, my mind drifting back to the way she looked this morning, poised and determined. It has left an indelible mark on me. She’s a beacon of light in a world of darkness and I can’t help but feel a deep, primal need to protect her.

The hours pass, filled with meetings and phone calls, but my thoughts keep returning to Daniella. I wonder how she’s faring, if she’s finding her footing in this treacherous environment. My office door opens, and Carla steps in, her expression unreadable.

“She’s doing well,” Carla reports, referring to Daniella. “Quick learner, sharp mind. You made a good choice.”

“I know,” I say, a small smile playing on my lips. “Keep an eye on her, make sure she’s adjusting.”

“Will do,” Carla says, then hesitates. “There’s something else. She asked about Jeremy.”

My smile fades, replaced by a frown. “What did she ask?”

“She wanted to know if I’d heard of him. Is she related to him in any way?”

“Don’t concern yourself with that. Carla, her questions cannot go beyond your ears.”

“Of course sir, I understand how things work here.”

Carla has been here with us since I bought The Garden of Eden. Almost my age, and almost as wise as me, she’s been leading the operations for the club for a long time. I know that I can trust her with Daniella.

“And Maria?”

“She’s good. The others like her and she is good at her job. I make sure that nobody bothers her.”

I nod slowly. “Thank you, Carla. Keep me informed.”

As she leaves, I lean back in my chair, deep in thought. Daniella’s curiosity about Jeremy is understandable, but dangerous. I had almost dared to hope she was forgetting about digging up information about him.

I’ll need to keep a close watch on her, to ensure she doesn’t dig too deep. Because there are things she doesn’t know, things that could shatter her. And as much as I want to let her know what happened to her ex, I know that some truths are too dangerous to be revealed.

***

The club is starting to wind down when Daniella approaches the bar where I’m seated, nursing a drink. She looks tired but excited, a glint of satisfaction in her eyes.

“How was your first night?” I ask, my voice casual.

“Interesting,” she replies, taking a seat next to me. “I learned a lot.”

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