ILLICIT #3 : Quarter

Chapter 29 - Questions

Dakota Delaune

My life is a complete mess.

I was not doing well at all. I met my father before going to Lake Como and asked for his explanation. He was shocked that I knew about what happened 10 years ago.

He apologized but I ended things with my parents. I was not happy with their decisions and how they treated me either so why would I stay with someone like that?

Felix apparently already knew that Franco is already death. Felix told me that he is relieve that his evil son is gone.

I went to Lake Como and started a new page. Dean sent his men to give me a 2 million euros check. He demanded me not to see Angelo again. I looked st the check everyday and ended up not using it after 3 months of me getting it.

Yes, it's been 3 months. It's been tough, it's been rough.

I was trying to cope with my life alone. I've got no friends, no families and just.. alone.

I sat on the bench facing Lake Como and took out my earphone. I just finished my workout routine and chose to walk around seeing the beautiful Lake Como.

"Hi." I turned to see a beautiful woman approaching me.

"Yes?"

"Are you Dakota? Dakota Delaune?" She asked and I nodded.

"Your Highness, you need to stop running away from us." I turned to see 4 guards panting behind her and she sighed.

"Elia, I need privacy!"

"But.. your husband will kill me if we lose you." The man with jet black hair said.

"He won't." The woman turned to me again.

"How do you know me? I'm pretty sure we never met before." I said and she looked at me nervously. "Excuse me for a second."

"Elia, can you give us privacy? Just go over there!" She said pointing at another bench a few feet away from us.

"Yes, Your Highness." The man said and she turned to me.

"We indeed never met each other but.. I'm.. uhmm this might be a little awkward but I'm Adrian Nielsen's wife. He was a part of ILLICIT." My eyes widen when she introduced herself.

"I'm Leah Nielsen." She put her hand out in front of me.

"You're looking for me?"

"Technically yes, I'm looking for you without my husband knowing because.. Angelo wanted me to give you this." She took out a white envelope and put it on my hand.

"Angelo?"

"Yes, he.. asked me a favor to give you this."

"Thank you, Your High-"

"No, please.. please don't call me that. Just call me Leah." She smiled and I looked down to the envelope.

"Your Highness, your husband is calling." I turned to see the guard showing his phone screen to her.

"Are you free? How about we have brunch together? I have a house there." She pointed at a beautiful house on the opposite side of the lake.

"Sure."

"Let's go." She said as she got up and took her guard's phone. I got up and walked side by side with her.

"Yes, love?" She answered the call.

"I'm just taking a stroll beside the Lake with Elia and the boys. You don't need to worry."

"Yes, I promise. I will take my flight back to London around 3pm later. Okay.. Okay.. Yes, I'm keeping Elia around, don't worry." She then ended the call and gave the phone back to her guard.

"Sorry about that."

"It's okay." I smiled and I let out a nervous cough.

"So.. how is he doing?" I asked as I kept looking at the white envelope.

"Well.. I don't know exactly his condition is because he just called me and sent that envelope to me but judging by his voice.. he's certainly not doing well." Leah said and I sighed.

"I'm not doing well either." I said truthfully and it came out because I needed someone to talk to.

"Dakota, having a connection with ILLICIT is dangerous. I've been there and it was not a fun.. experience." She said as we stopped walking.

"Angelo was there when.. something happened to me. He knew what happened and he might not want that to happen to you." She smiled as she grabbed my hands.

"What happened to you?"

"I was kidnapped and got a bug placed on my body." She raised her top showing me a scar on her stomach.

"I got beated up a lot and went through a lot of people that would want me dead." She chuckled and it left me speechless.

"I never thought Adrian would leave ILLICIT to be with me but.. after he left ILLICIT, it was not easy for him too. I knew it meant a lot to him and I think Angelo has the same thoughts too." I nodded completely understand what she's trying to say.

"Give him some time.. he will come around."

"I don't think so, I promised Dean-"

"Dean and his threats. Don't think about Dean too much, he's just protecting them like a big brother would protect his little brothers." Leah smiled and she held my hand as we walked to her house.

"I wish you could meet Adrian because he knew a lot about Angelo but I'm here without him knowing. I just have to deliver that envelope to you."

"How did you get away with coming here without him knowing?" I asked curiously.

"I used to work with ILLICIT, I was one of their tech girl so.. I know some ways to manipulate my location." She chuckled and we walked into her house. All the maids already prepared brunch for us at the garden.

"So.. feel free to ask me anything. I want to help you as much as I can." She said as she grabbed a glass of water.

"Your Highness.." She turned to her guard.

"What? I'm in the middle of a conversation."

"But.. Your Highness.." I turned to the door and saw a man standing there. He smiled at me and gestured me to not say anything.

"Elia, you keep disturbing me. I will replace you with someone else once we get to London. I don't trust you at all!"

"Love, I don't think that's a good idea." I turned to Leah and she turned to me.

"He's behind me, isn't he?" She asked and I nodded.

"Dakota, meet my boss, Adrian."

"Her husband, Adrian. Nice to meet you.." He put his hand in front of me and I took it.

"I've got a lot of things to say about Angelo." He said as he sat on the chair across me.

"I've got a lot of things to ask too."