chapter 5

(Susan's POV)

I hesitated outside the hotel door, my heart pounding so loudly I could hear it in my ears.

Suite 1209.

Dermont's message had been cryptic, yet something in me had known I would come the moment I read it. I couldn't explain it. It wasn't just curiosity—it was him.

He was dangerous, mysterious. But unlike Greg's violence, Dermont's danger didn't scare me. It called to me.

I knocked once.

The door swung open almost immediately, as if he had been waiting right behind it. He stood there, dark eyes unreadable, a glass of whiskey in his hand. The dim lighting of the suite cast long shadows over his face, making him look even more intense than usual.

"You came," he said softly.

I swallowed and stepped inside.

The suite was spacious, luxurious in a way that felt out of place in my life. Plush carpets, sleek modern furniture, the faint scent of expensive cologne lingering in the air. I had never set foot in a place like this before.

"You said you had something to tell me," I said, keeping my voice steady.

He set his glass down and turned to face me fully. "I need you to listen, Susan. And when I'm done, I need you to decide if you can trust me."

Something about the way he said it sent a shiver through me. But I nodded. "Okay."

Dermont took a slow breath, as if he was gathering his thoughts. "My real name is Dermont Gregorio."

I blinked. "Gregorio?"

He nodded. "My father was Vincent Gregorio. He built one of the largest business empires in the country. I was supposed to inherit it when he died, but my uncle Brandon had other plans."

The pieces clicked into place. "He took it from you."

Dermont's jaw tightened. "He did more than that. He sent men to kill me. I barely escaped."

I covered my mouth. "Jesus."

"I've been hiding ever since. Watching. Waiting." His eyes locked onto mine. "Until I found a reason to stop waiting."

I didn't need to ask what that reason was.

I could feel it in the way he looked at me.

My breath hitched, and I turned away. "Dermont, I—"

"Let me finish." His voice was firm, but not harsh. "I need to take back what's mine, Susan. And I need you to leave Greg."

I let out a bitter laugh. "You think it's that simple?"

"I know it's not." He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. "But I also know you don't belong with him."

I swallowed hard, every nerve in my body on edge.

Then his fingers brushed against my chin, tilting my face up to his.

"Come with me," he murmured.

I should have said no.

I should have stepped back, put space between us.

But I didn't.

Instead, I let him pull me closer, until our lips were just inches apart.

He hesitated, as if giving me a chance to stop him.

I didn't.

The moment our lips met, it was like something inside me snapped.

I had never been kissed like this before—like a man was starving for me, like he needed me as much as he needed air.

I pressed against him, my fingers tangling in his hair, and he groaned against my mouth, his hands gripping my waist. We stumbled backward, knocking over a chair, but neither of us cared.

We were now arm in arm,tongues interlocked in frenzied passion. 

We stopped for a moment, both of us breathing extremely hard.

"Do you want this?" he whispered into my ear.

I thought about it for a moment, I thought about Greg and the years of pain. 

But I didn't answer, I didn't say anything, I simply continued to stare in his eyes.

Our lips locked again and that was all it took, soon we were on the bed. Kissing whilst he took off my dress and I unbuttoned his shirt. 

Soon my bra was off and I was bare chested. Dermont continued to kiss me whilst his hands roamed my bosom.

I could feel my heart bearing violently in my chest, but not out of fear but out of pure excitement.

He continued to fondle my breasts taking his Time to rub hard at each nipple.

I let out a sigh of pleasure as my body grew stiff and taught at the amazing sensations. 

Then he brought his fingers low into my underwear between my legs and began to stimulate me in ways that I had never experienced. By now I was completely wet and gasping for air. He whispered into my ear

"Do you want it now?" 

"Yes I do, I do, I want it badly" 

I managed to say.

So he completely took off my underwear, and spread my legs, before straddling them against his torso. Before slowly yet methodically pulling out his length.

I took a deep breath as he guided himself into Me, gently but still with so Much intensity To make me let out a gasp.

A gasp that I would continue to let out with every thrust that he took.

The bed continued to shake as our bodies oscillated rhythmically to our symphony of love. I could hear breathe hard as he continued to ram himself into my groin. 

I could do nothing but moan his Name in pleasure.

It only lasted a short while,but I wished it could have gone on for much longer and When it was over, I lay tangled in the sheets, my body still buzzing. Dermont's arm was wrapped around me, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on my skin.

For the first time in a long time, I felt safe.

I turned to face him, and he was already watching me.

"What happens now?" I whispered.

He exhaled, his expression turning serious. "Now, we end this."

I frowned. "End what?"

"Greg. My uncle." He sat up, resting his arm on his knee. "I have a plan, Susan. And I need you to help me."

I swallowed. "Help you how?"

Dermont leaned closer, his voice low. "I'm going to throw a party at The Margarita."

I blinked. "A party?"

He nodded. "Every major businessman in the city will be there, including my uncle. Greg will be there too. I'm going to set up a meeting in one of the VIP rooms, to make it look like a business deal." His eyes darkened. "Once they're inside, the doors will lock, the lights will go out. And every enemy I have will be eliminated."

I felt a cold chill run down my spine. "You're going to kill them?"

he paused for a second, before saying.

"Don't look at it that way, sometimes they may be obstacles in front of you,preventing you from achieving happiness, from assuming your true potential. People, situations, ways of life.

Many times it's frustrating having to deal with them. And worse of all they try to abolish your existence too, just like the way Brandon tried to get rid of me, or how Greg gives you all those scars and threatens to end you. Many times you just have to put a stop to it,no matter how brutal it is, knowing that it will bring about a world where you can thrive in peace and happiness."

I grew silent when he said that, but deep down in me I knew what he was saying was true.

"You're really going to get rid of them?" i asked

"I'm going to make sure they can never hurt anyone again."

My heart pounded. This was crazy. This was dangerous.

But deep down, I knew—

I was already in too deep.

And there was no turning back.

I put my ear against his chest, his heart was beating slowly in a relaxed and balanced rhythm, it dared me to sing along to its tune. I felt so safe lying next to Dermont, it felt as though no one in the world could hurt me anymore. All my past traumas were gone and all my pain had been vanquished. 

He rolled over and began to kiss me again. 

After we broke our kiss. I asked him, 

"Will you protect me?" 

"I will always be there for you my love" 

He said into My ear. 

I breathed a sigh. And even though I had only known him for a while, I believed every word.