Taken By The Mafia Lord

Arianna and Marcel successfully made it back to the base without running into Clara nor did she chase after them or stalk the base, guess she gave up already. However, Arianna knew that this wasn't the end and that Clara would definitely retaliate considering "her" wedding was just two days away and Marcel had shown zero interest in it. No, ever since Marcel found out that his sister was out of Daniel's grasp, he pretty much kicked the idea of their marriage to the curb.

He never wanted to marry Clara in the first place, it had all been his father's idea and coercion. Things were now moving in their favor even though Arianna had this nagging feeling inside of her that says things might go wrong and Marcel ended up marrying Clara. Just because Chloe slipped out of Daniel's hands doesn't mean he doesn't have other means to bend Marcel to do his will.

But then she shifted the thought to the back of her mind and focused on the present. Right now, it was just her and Marcel and she would focus on the moment instead of the problems of tomorrow. Marcel was making calls just as Luca pulled up on the lawn and the engine died off and the next he opened the car door to help her out.

The way they treated her blurred the line and made her confused sometimes. Arianna couldn't tell if she was still a prisoner or Marcel's kept woman and that was the problem. What if she and Marcel broke up one day? What would happen? Would he let her go or make her continue her time in his prison? It was fucking confusing. No, she shouldn't think of this now.

Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw Marcel finish the call and he was by his side in a twinkle of an eye, his arms resting on his waist and Dahlia had to swear that it felt god damn natural, as if that large hand was meant to stay there.

"Who were you talking to?" Arianna asked without thinking, regretting it at the last minute when she realized that she wasn't supposed to ask him that. Just because she and Marcel were an item and she helped him out on a mission doesn't mean he was going to share her business with her. He doesn't even accept her contribution, not to talk of her asking after his business.

Hence, Arianna already mentally prepared herself to receive his reproval only for Marcel to answer to her greatest surprise, "It was Adele, she just called to inform me that she was closing in on whoever ordered Peter to steal from me."

Arianna's heart missed a beat knowing that the case was related to Elijah. Were they close to uncovering his identity as well? She had to keep a neutral expression so Marcel doesn't sense that she was affected by his news. Arianna still didn't have a clue to locate Elijah, she must have been delusional to think it would be this easy. Marcel was having a hard time locating him with all of his resources, what makes her case special then?

Well, Arianna had thought Elijah would come to her - she could sense that he was nearby even if he wouldn't show his face - and then she would be able to talk to him to stop this madness. But it seems to find Elijah was akin to finding a needle in a haystack. Not to mention that she was tired of his games. If he wanted to talk to her, he should simply come to her and stop hiding in the shadows like a coward. No wonder they called him the phantom ghost. Their hide and seek game was exhausting.

Marcel went on to explain without noticing his discomfort,

"She has this newbie who's as smart as her and they've been working on the case together. If they pull this right, I think I'm going to promote the guy as a reward, and get him to work here for me. What do you think?" Marcel asked for her viewpoint which came as a shock to Arianna.

Arianna remembered her conversation with Victor and understood that this was Marcel's way of slowly accepting her opinion. She couldn't just push it on him overnight, rather it was a slow change, and who knows, in the future, she might have a strong voice in his decisions.

"Increasing his rank is not a bad plan. Every employee wants a boost now and then, that would motivate us to work harder." Arianna agreed with his idea.

A small smile pulled at the corner of Marcel's lips as he looked away and it pleased Arianna. She liked this peace between them, not that she didn't like them fighting, not exactly, but the makeover sex was to die for. Well, they haven't had angry sex yet… Geez, Arianna focus.

"Could you offer me a job?"

"What?" Marcel was stunned.

Great! The moment she decided to stop thinking about sex, she decides to make an impossible request.

"Do you need more money? Is there something that you need that you don't have? Tell me, I'll get it for you?"

Arianna bit on her lower lip nervously when Marcel made the offer. But that was the problem, she didn't need him to buy her anything, or give her more money - or leave them around for her to steal. Of course, he knew.

She stopped walking and Marcel did too. Arianna looked at the ground drawing a map of the world with her feet as she wondered how to speak to him on that. She was afraid to look up and see the fury in Marcel's eyes just because she talked about working. Arianna loved Marcel, but she wanted a life too.

"Talk to me, Arianna," Marcel lifted her face by the chin, fierce gray eyes looking into hers in concern and the fears ebbed away.

It was now or never. Arianna took a deep breath before opening up,

"I'm bored here." She explained, "I mean, this is the longest I've gone without working and it's beginning to bother me. I get that you want to keep me safe and make sure I don't run off, but there are other options. For a start, I'm good at dancing and you have many clubs, perhaps some of your girls need a tutor or something?"