The billionaire's only desire-Chapter 21: Under his protection

The atmosphere at the regular session of the gentlemen’s club was thick with the scent of expensive cologne, accompanied by the loud cheers of affluent young corporate men enjoying the strip show that was going on.

Maya navigates the plush leather seating around her, serving drinks while keeping a calm demeanor as she engages in light banter with the men she is serving. Despite her outward composure, she despises every moment of it due to their flirtations and sexist jokes.

"Maya," Laura calls out. "Mr. Hathaway wants to see you," she informs her.

Maya’s eyes quivered with fear; her doom was near. Even though Dalton promised to intervene, his words had not alleviated her worry. She has been feeling like a ticking time bomb throughout the whole day.

"Alright," Maya served her last drink and boarded the elevator to the top floor.

She took a deep breath and knocked on her stepfather’s door. "Sir?"

"Come in," her stepfather’s harsh voice crept up her anxiety as she entered with her legs trembling.

"At last, I have you in my grasp," Frederick Hathaway said as he grabbed Maya’s hair and dragged her toward his desk. "So, where were you yesterday?"

Maya remained silent, the pain from his tight grip on her hair rendered her silent.

"Answer me," he demanded. He released her hair and raised his hand. Maya flinched, bracing for a slap but it never came.

"I love watching you squirm like a frightened kitten," he said, laughing maniacally as he sat behind his desk.

"Don’t worry, stepdaughter; I’m in a good mood today. You’re off the hook."

Maya didn’t believe him. His mood changes as quickly as a lightning bolt. He can strike her at any moment.

"I slept at Natalia’s place," Maya finally replied to his question.

"I dislike it when you don’t sleep at home. I’ll let it go this time, but don’t let it happen again."

His words chipped off some of the fear she was feeling. She now believed him; he was genuinely in a good mood.

"I won’t," Maya assured him.

"Take your seat,"

Maya complied and sat down. He opened a bottle of vodka and poured a glass.

"Drink," shoved the glass of vodka into Maya’s hand.

Reluctantly, she took a sip, hiding a wince. She hates alcohol.

"Terrence received a call today; he has been promoted!" he laughed heartily.

Maya’s eyes widened slightly. Terrence still got the promotion?

Fredrick Hathaway’s mood suddenly shifted as he sneered angrily at Maya. "I would have punished you for defying my orders. You were supposed to sleep with him, not give him a head injury."

Maya shuddered, flinching as she feared he might hit her.

Then her stepfather burst into a deranged laugh. "But the head injury might have messed with his brain. He gave Terrence the promotion even though you nearly killed him. A win is a win."

"What I don’t understand is why he isn’t pressing charges against you," he said, narrowing his eyes at Maya.

Maya lowered her head to stare at her fidgeting fingers. "I—I don’t know."

Suddenly, the door burst open, and they both turned to look at the doorway.

"Da—Mr. Black." Even in this moment of shock, Maya didn’t slip up; she didn’t dare call him Dalton in front of her stepfather.

"Hello, Maya," Dalton’s chilly baritone voice sent shivers down her spine, making it difficult for her to maintain a neutral expression.

"Mr. Black, what do I owe this unannounced visit?" Frederick Hathaway’s voice trembled with fear.

"I’m here to discuss about your gentlemen’s club," Dalton said sternly as he slipped into the chair next to Maya.

Fredrick Hathaway’s face went pale. "It’s not for sale," he said, his voice wavering as he spoke.

On the other hand, Maya felt a flicker of hope ignite within her. If her stepfather loses his gentlemen’s club, she will no longer have to work here. Freedom was within her grasp.

"You don’t get to decide," Dalton snapped at him.

Fredrick Hathaway clamped his mouth shut, cowering in fear, which brought a sense of delight to Maya. Her almighty stepfather looked like a frightened rabbit.

However, this also made her feel a deep fear of Dalton. He was so powerful that every man seemed to be afraid of him!

"I will excuse you two," Maya said as she tried to heave up from her seat, but Dalton held her wrist, stopping her. "Stay," he said softly to her, whilst his fierce, cold eyes remained fixed on her stepfather.

"Okay," Maya whispered. His fingers on her skin sent a warm tingling sensation to course through her veins.

Dalton spoke with a voltage of power. "Your gentlemen’s club generates millions of dollars in revenue annually, with great profit margins. It would be a good investment for me if I were to buy it."

Fredrick Hathaway’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he said through gritted teeth, "Why the sudden interest? You’ve been a member of this club for three years and have never shown any desire to buy it. Why now?"

Dalton tilted his head to look at Maya as he said to Frederick Hathaway, "Because you dare to try to force one of my own to sleep with your sex-depraved assholes, you have as clients."

"One of your own?" Fredrick Hathaway frowned in confusion.

"Yes, Maya is now one of my own." Dalton’s gaze on Maya intensified, and she had to catch her breath.

Fredrick Hathaway’s eyes widened as he looked at Maya. "Maya?"

"I’m his chef now," Maya quickly clarified, hoping to prevent her stepfather from thinking they were involved romantically.

"I see. Maya, you didn’t tell me," Fredrick Hathaway said with a smile. Maya noticed the dark look that crossed his face before it was swiftly replaced by that fake smile on his face.

She tensed up, feeling frightened that her stepfather would punish her for this. Dalton suddenly stroked her hand with his thumb. "Don’t be afraid. I’m here," he said in a raspy tone. Immediately, Maya’s anxiety vanished, and she felt relaxed under his touch and soothing voice.

"If you touch even a strand of her hair, not only will you lose your Gentlemen’s Club, you will also lose your life as well," Dalton threatened.

Maya’s eyes widened. Did he just threaten to kill her stepfather over her?

Dalton stood up. "Walk me out," he said, pulling Maya to her feet.

As she followed Dalton out, she glanced over her shoulder to look at her stepfather. Tension and fear crept across his face; Dalton’s threats had clearly shaken him.

For the first time in a long while, she felt that she would have a peaceful sleep.

"You didn’t have to go that far, you know. Threatening to buy the gentlemen’s club because of me is absurd," Maya said to Dalton as they made their way into the elevator.

"I’m a nobody, just a random girl you—"

"No, you are neither of those things. You are somebody to me, Maya."

Maya touched her chest, feeling her heart glow.

Dalton’s eyes darkened. "And I mean it. I will kill your stepfather if he dares to lay a hand on you," he thundered.

Maya swallowed hard. God, he is really scary! She thought repeatedly in her head.

"Go get your things; you are going home," he said authoritatively.

"Uh... my shift isn’t over yet,"

"It’s over now because I say so. Oliver said you need to rest,"

Maya wanted to snort. "So domineering, jeez," she murmured under her breath.

Dalton narrowed his eyes at her. "What did you just say?"

Maya feigned a cough. "Nothing," she said, tilting her head away. "My bag is in the staff room." She headed in that direction.

"I’m coming with you,"

Maya groaned. "Staff only; you can wait for me here."

Dalton ignored her and trailed behind her.

Maya quickly grabbed her bag from her locker, thanking God that none of the girls were around, as they were busy attending to the clients.

As they walk toward the exit, Dalton holds her hand without her realizing it, and they are spotted by some waitresses. She quickly tried to pull her hand away, but Dalton firmly locked their fingers together, preventing her from doing so.

She clenched her bag and gnashed her teeth in frustration. She was sure the girls who saw them were thinking she might be sleeping with Dalton. A flush rushed to her cheeks at the thought of that.

They arrived at the spot where she had parked her car.

"I’m driving you home," he said as he snatched her car keys from her hand.

"You don’t have to. I can drive myself home," she protested.

"I want to. Be a good girl and get in," he gently commands, leaving Maya speechless.

"Do you treat other... employees of yours like this?" she wanted to say ’girls’ but that was a territory she wouldn’t dare to cross.

"You are exceptional, Maya. Get used to it." He opened the door of the passenger seat for her and she sat in.

Why is she exceptional? His words kept playing in her head.

Dalton took his place in the driver’s seat and turned the keys. Soon, they were on the road.

"I don’t think you’ve had dinner. We’ll stop at a drive-thru to get you something to eat," he said to her.

Maya grunted:He is so overbearing!

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