Darnell thought her wedding day would be the happiest day of her life, but after a one-night stand with the mysterious mafia boss Elvis De Luca, everything changed. Torn between feelings of betrayal and undeniable attraction, Darnell learns her family contrived a marriage between her and Elvis to further their power. As the secrets begin to unravel, the dark clouds of danger unfold before her, placing her child at the center of a deadly revenge game. She will have to play a deadly game of lies, loyalty, and love with her life in danger to ensure a safe future for herself and her baby against those she once held dear.
Chapter 1 Wild Stranger
It was a young night, the music banged from the speakers as they all danced. Darnell sat in one corner, even if it were her bachelorette night, it seemed way out of her kind of party. Apparently, her stepmother, Marina and her best friend Joan planned this night, and it seemed to be going well.
At one corner she sat with the drink in her hands, taking a sip, trying to enjoy the night and not let their efforts go to waste. Marina sighted her from after, as she hurried over to Darnell, her eyes widened in surprise.
"Don't tell me that you are here sulking up when it's your bachelorette night? Darnell? She called but instead Darnell sighed, looking at her over-active sister.
"You and Joan clearly know this is not my kind of space. You even fixed the party in a bar at Marina. What happened to hotels?" Darnell asked, with Marina rolling her eyes as if she was nagging.
"Darnell, this is the hotel booked for your wedding, and it's still a hotel," Marina added.
"Don't play mind games, Marina..we could have used one of the halls."
Darnell asked.
"The bar is fine and besides, the hotel management offered this venue for free, so if you're worried about the price, then you shouldn't...it's in the hotel," Marina added.
"Seriously right now? You want to pull that card with me." Darnell questioned in between smiles.
"You know for your age, one would think you are evolutionary, but nope, you're too old school. Sometimes I wonder how you are able to bag Joan as your best friend. She is the exact opposite of you. It's a night for your big day, and you're concerned about a venue?
Darnell sighs, rubbing her forehead, " Don't get started with me. You know I am saying the truth." She managed to say, but she was grateful, regardless that they till throw her a party.
"There's no birthday celebration without a birthday celebrant and the same applies to your bachelorette party." She added with finality in her voice, stretching out her hand to take Darnell's.
Darnell looked at her hand, then sighed. She might as well let this cup pass and do as Marrina had instructed, taking her hands as Marina helped her up, she was more than excited to be called Mrs. Martinez and tomorrow would officially end her five-year relationship with Daren. So she had better make the most of this night and have all the fun as a single woman for the last time.
"I'll get you something to soothe you...you seem too upright." Marina added, then walked over to the counter to get the drinks, handing them over to the ladies at the party. Darnell took a glass, as she sipped it, dancing to the rhythm of their hails.
"You go girl!!!!!!" She heard Joan's voice from the background. It didn't take long for her to feel too tired, she was already weak from planning the wedding and all her activities were making her weaker.
She turned to Marina," I give up.... I think it's best I sleep right now if I ain't to be able to make it to my wedding tomorrow."
Marina shot her a glare, "Are you serious right now? You want to go to sleep?"
Darnell nodded, Joan walked up to them.
"You should have known her by now.... She's not as like it. Bubbling as you are. Darnell, you can go to bed now. Marina and I will take care of things down here. You need your beauty sleep." Joan added, taking a small sip of her drink.
"Are you sure?_ Darnell asked, taking up her cell phone as she ran her hands through her head. She was tired.
"Sure. You should rest. We don't want Daren to run when he sees your eye bags tomorrow." Joan teased further.
"Don't jinx it." Marina added, shaking her head at Joan before turning to Darnell,
"You have your card, right? " She asked, and Darnell nodded.
"I'll see you guys...have fun and thank you so much for this." Darnell pulled them into a small hug, with a peck on their cheeks, before taking the last sip of her drink.
"I'll be heading up now and please, don't get drunk and miss my wedding tomorrow, Joan specifically." Darnell said, pointing at Joan,
"I'll look after her." Marina said, with Darnell nodding in satisfaction.
"You two are the worst." Joan cursed under her breath and then walked away.
Darnell sighed, as she grabbed the entry card from her purse and heading up to her room. Getting out of the elevator, she felt immense weakness, her vision was beginning to get blurry. She managed to stay up on her feet as she began counting the room number,
"122....123...124...125....126..? There you are." She opened the door, walking in to see a hazy figure of someone on the bed,
"Daren? Is that you?" She staggered, as she held the couch for support,
"Oh gosh, I feel so weak. What kind of drink was that?" She murmured as she held her head.
She felt someone carry her, placing her on the bed, her eyes fluttered open. She couldn't decipher who that was but her sixth sense told her it was her husband. She burst into laughter.
"You couldn't wait, could you? ......" Her voice trailed, "it's abominable for the groom....to..see.."
He placed his hand on her lips, "Shhhhhhh...." Then he shook his head, staring at her body lustfully, " I just missed you. I can't wait till tomorrow." He then placed his lips on her, setting her body on fire. For some reason, she felt an outburst of emotions and the urge stronger.
Normally, she would have pushed him away but she instead, reciprocated the kiss.. Whatever that was in her, was pushing her down to the worst. On the second shift, she wrapped her arms around him. Sitting with her, she deepened the kiss. She couldn't wait.
He helped her up, still kissing her. Sher hand immediately traveled to his belt trying to unbuckle it when he stopped her,
"No, no, no......too fast." He moaned, as he kissed her neck down to her shoulder, then with his eyes locked on hers,
"This is how it's done." And with one stretch, he tore her satin gown into shreds, leaving her with just her undergarments, picking her up as she tossed her to the bed.
"I'm good to make crazy love with you tonight." And that was the last sensible word she heard with the cloud groaning, announcing its downpour.
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