Thank you to celticturtle for editing my story for me! Thank you to everyone who likes and comments. I hope you guys are enjoying my story so far! Chapter 5 is going to be in the writing process soon! I will keep you guys updated in my bio so be sure to check there! This story is mostly romance, but if you hang in there, there will be intimacy. Thank you to everyone who has stayed with me. I hope you guys like this chapter!
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While Delilah and Luke worked on the paperwork, word circulated around the whole gang about Luke's behavior. Michael heard what was happening, and he knew he had to tell Luke. Michael hurriedly rushed to Luke's office. He knocked on the door and waited for Luke to acknowledge him. He made sure that there was a calm look on his face.
Walking in Michael said, "Sir, can I talk to you out in the hallway for a second?"
Luke looked up at Michael. He nodded to Michael then looked at Delilah.
"Stay here. I'll be back."
"Okay."
He stood and walked out with Michael following him.
He looked at Michael. "What's the problem?"
"Sir, men have called an emergency meeting with concerns about your attachments to Delilah."
"So, they're questioning my leadership?"
"Yes, sir."
"Okay, but before the meeting I need to make sure Delilah gets to my room safely."
"I can escort her, sir. After I do, I'll come back down."
They both walked into his office again. Luke looked over at Michael.
"Michael, escort Delilah to my room."
She looked up at Luke.
"Why? What's going on?" She crossed her arms across her chest defiantly.
"Delilah, this is not negotiable."
"But Luke—"
Cutting her off, "I need you safe. Go with Michael now."
Sensing the urgency in his voice, she sighed and nodded. She walked over to Michael and they made their way to the elevator. When they were inside the elevator, she looked over at him.
"Can you tell me what's happening? I've never seen Luke like that."
"I'm sorry. I can't say."
She exhaled sharply and the elevator came to a stop. Michael walked with Delilah to the room. He made sure that she went inside.
Before she closed the door, he said, "Don't come out until Luke gets you."
She agreed and closed the door. She walked over to the bed and sat down. She wondered what was wrong for Luke to act so defensive. She didn't understand, but she did what Luke wanted. She stayed put in the room until he came to get her.
Michael came back down from Luke's room. Luke called everyone to the middle of the room on the first floor. Michael joined the group, and Luke started the meeting.
"So, I heard you wanted to call this meeting. Someone tell me what this is about." Luke rolled his sleeves up carefully then shoved his hands in his pockets.
There were a few minutes of awkward silence. Everyone looked at one another not wanting to be the one to confront Luke. Luke softly scoffed.
"You guys wanted this meeting, but you're quiet when I'm listening. If I have to force someone to come forward, it's not going to end good for any of you." Luke sternly said. "If you have concerns about me or my authority then speak up now. Isn't that why you called this meeting?"
Annoyed, Jake spoke up, "We called this meeting because we think you're going soft because of that bitch."
Luke was pissed as soon as the word "bitch" left Jake's mouth. He moved his tongue along the inside of his cheek impatiently waiting for him to continue.
Jake continued, "Ever since she got here, you've been acting different. We can all tell that you've changed because of some bitch. You're losing your touch Luke. I think you should either kick her out, or you should wake up and act like a man."
When he called Luke by name, everyone looked at him surprised. No one ever dared to call Luke by name. They knew to call him sir to show him respect. Luke was even more pissed by this point. He stepped forward.
"Jake, come forward." He calmly said. What Jake didn't realize was that Luke was always his most dangerous when he keep his tone calm.
Jake cockily approached and smirked at him. Luke looked him dead in the eyes.
"You were the one that touched Delilah without my permission after I specifically said not to, right?"
"Yes, but why does that matter?"
"Do you remember my order concerning Delilah?"
"You said you would kick us out, but you were just joking. I know you were. Plus, what man changes just because of some whore he picked up from the streets."
"Are you finished?"
"Maybe. Maybe not." Jake smiled and patted Luke on his shoulder.
Luke looked at Jake's hand on his shoulder. He stood still for a second reeling in his fury. He had an urge to tear him into a million pieces. After a few seconds of silence, Luke chuckled, flabbergasted by Jake's actions. Luke looked back into Jake's eyes. Jake wondered why Luke chuckled. Luke removed his hand from his pocket and he forcefully hit Jake's cheek.
Jake stumbled backwards was taken aback from Luke's hit. Luke punched him again as Jake fell to the ground. Luke hovered over him and picked him up by his collar. He punched him over and over until Michael intervened fearing that Luke would not be able to stop.
"Sir, I think he's learned his lesson."
Luke stopped punching as Jake spat up blood. Luke lifted him up off the ground and walked him over to the door. He opened it and threw Jake out the door.
"Don't ever come here again. If I catch you here, you're fucking dead." He slammed the door then rejoined the meeting.
"If anyone else has a problem with how I run things here," He pointed at the door. "There's the fucking door. Leave. You can go back to the streets I found you on. If you have any questions about how I do things around here, ask me. And for the last time, if you dare touch a single hair on Delilah's head, I will end you. I will not just toss you out like Jake. Am I going fucking soft now? Huh?" He yelled, as his veins in his neck popped out.
"No, sir." His men said in unison.
"Good. Now go back to work."
They dismissed themselves spreading to different rooms. Luke ran his fingers through his hair and sighed loudly. He was beyond pissed. He didn't know how his men came up with the idea of him becoming soft. Even if he was changing because of Delilah, what did it have to do with how he ran things? He looked over at Michael.
"Thank you for telling me." Michael was one person Luke knew he could always count on.
"Of course, sir. I'm sorry that Jake caused so much mess. If I'd known he was going to be this difficult, I wouldn't have recruited him."
"It's not your fault. I made the final decision. I just wanted to give people who are struggling a better life."
"Sir, it's not your fault either. You're just trying to do what's best and give people another chance at life."
"I know but sometimes I can't help and think it's my fault. Especially when some of them turn out like Jake."
"I understand. Oh, and Delilah is waiting for you in your room."
"Thank you, Michael! I'll see you tomorrow."
Luke rushed up to his room. He shut the door behind me, and Delilah was startled by the sudden noise. She looked over to see Luke had entered the room, and she rushed over to him. She embraced him into a tight hug. He held her close to him and cradled her head.
"It's okay. I'm sorry." He spoke soothingly.
"You're fine. You're here now, that's all that matters."
They stood there holding onto each other for a few minutes. Luke ran his fingers through her hair while the other arm held her close. Ever since Delilah came here, she felt safe, especially in Luke's arms. She stared into his beautiful eyes.
"You don't have to tell me what happened. I understand that you had to do your job."
"I should tell you, so no one will get hurt because of you. I made a promise to you that I wouldn't hurt anyone because of you unless it was severe."
"Okay... What happened then?"
"They called an emergency meeting questioning my authority. Rumors spread about me acting differently since you've been here. Well, they thought I have gone soft because of you. Jake was the one that started it. He kept provoking me and wouldn't stop talking shit about me and he brought you into it. Also, he kept disrespecting me which upset me even more." He paused to try and calm his breathing.
"Take a second to calm down then continue." She softly spoke.
She felt him tense up against her. She rubbed his back softly to try and calm him. He softly sighed relaxing at her touch. He moved his hands to cup her cheeks, and he softly rubbed his thumb across them. After a few seconds, she calmed him down.
