Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask

Chapter 485: Chapter 81 Territorial Claim

Daniel’s POV

Life had grown considerably smoother lately. Several days had passed since Sasha’s theatrical display at my penthouse, and mercifully, she had ceased her relentless phone campaigns entirely. My relationship with Lila flourished, and even my father had stopped demanding my weekly appearances at the Martinez family estate meetings.

”The big day has finally arrived!” Lila watched as I adjusted my Italian silk tie in the mirror of our bedroom.

”Indeed. You seem unusually enthusiastic about this obligation,” I observed, catching her reflection as she positioned herself between me and the marble bathroom counter.

”Of course I’m excited to watch my distinguished boyfriend address future legal eagles about crime investigation for a while, followed by more time answering questions from eager law students.” She smoothed her hands across my chest and pressed a gentle kiss to my chin.

”I assumed you were anticipating being thoroughly satisfied by your distinguished, well-endowed boyfriend afterward,” I murmured, encircling her waist and teasing her with kisses behind her ear.

”My boyfriend certainly has an inflated opinion of himself,” she responded with closed eyes, melting into my embrace. ”But yes, I’m perpetually eager for that.”

I chuckled. ”Your constant praise feeds my ego.” I kissed her neck once more before exhaling. ”As tempting as it is to remain here worshipping you, we must depart. I’ll escort you to Thorne Group and collect you this afternoon for this academic torture.”

Lila laughed. She had spent recent days taunting me about this tedious guest lecture that Adler Thorne had strong-armed me into accepting for the university’s criminal justice program, but there was no escape now.

When we reached the university campus that afternoon, I bid Lila farewell in the parking structure. She headed toward the law library while I reported to the academic coordination office before my presentation.

The program coordinator greeted me with surprising reverence, evidently grateful that someone of my stature in law enforcement had accommodated this engagement. After introductions to various faculty members and obligatory small talk, it was time to confront the sea of college students.

As I surveyed the lecture hall before taking the podium, I located Lila seated at the end of the center row. Beside her sat a young man roughly her age, perhaps slightly older. He whispered something intimately in her ear that provoked her laughter, then casually positioned his arm around her shoulders. I instantly despised everything about this individual.

Following my introduction, I commenced speaking about organized crime investigations and inter-agency cooperation. The time stretched like an eternity. The students gazed at me with manufactured interest, their minds obviously wandering. However, what increasingly aggravated me was Lila’s little companion.

This kid persisted in passing notes to her and whispering closely in her ear, repeatedly draping his arm around her shoulder. I yearned to vault from the platform, hoist Lila over my shoulder, and permanently ban her from this institution. Yet I restrained myself—I was not some primitive caveman, despite my instincts.

When I finally concluded my remarks, I received polite applause before the coordinator announced I would field questions for a while longer. I wanted to groan audibly and storm out. Nothing had ever been more mind-numbing. Watching some college boy coveting my woman made it infinitely more unbearable.

As the question period commenced, I attempted focusing on each inquiry while providing comprehensive responses, but my tolerance for Lila’s admirer was rapidly evaporating. Partway through this torment, I began pacing between the rows while answering questions. I deliberately positioned myself adjacent to Lila, who smiled up at me knowingly.

While addressing a student’s question about federal versus local jurisdiction in organized crime cases, I observed this punk placing yet another note atop Lila’s notebook. My expression hardened immediately. Without hesitation, I confiscated the note and slipped it into my suit jacket. The kid stared at me as if I had sprouted horns, while I smiled meaningfully at Lila, who clearly understood my irritation. For the session’s remainder, I remained firmly planted beside her.

When the ordeal finally concluded, I returned to the podium to accept the coordinator’s gratitude. Several students approached me afterward—more than anticipated and more than I cared to entertain—but I spoke cordially to each one. Soon, I noticed Lila approaching with her puppy dog admirer trailing behind.

”Lila, let’s hit the bar. The whole study group is going. We can grab drinks, hang out, and I’ll drive you home later,” he said, touching her arm.

”No thanks, MP. I’m exhausted. I already declined,” Lila replied diplomatically.

”Then what about dinner? Somewhere quiet where we can talk privately. It’s still early. Come on, Lila.” This desperate kid was blatantly pursuing my girlfriend, and my patience had been exhausted long ago.

The auditorium was nearly deserted, and my obligation was fulfilled. So propriety could go to hell. I maneuvered past the remaining students, seized Lila by the waist, and delivered a kiss that was decidedly inappropriate for an academic environment.

”Your friend shows remarkable persistence, little one,” I said, and she laughed while the guy stood frozen beside us, wide-eyed.

”He does indeed,” she replied, amused. ”And you have something that belongs to me.”

”You mean the note your admirer passed instead of absorbing the lecture?”

”Precisely.”

I snorted. ”That insignificant scrap of paper has been confiscated as evidence.”

”That constitutes invasion of privacy, Inspector.”

”I’m a law enforcement officer. I can seize it as potential evidence.”

Tightening my possessive grip on her waist, I turned to the young man staring nervously at me. ”Aren’t you going to properly introduce me to your friend?”

”This is Max Philip, a classmate from third year. MP, this is Daniel, my boyfriend,” Lila said casually.

”Inspector Martinez,” I corrected, extending my hand which he reluctantly shook with obvious nervousness. ”MP, I appreciate your invitation to my girlfriend, but as you can observe, we have prior commitments.” I guided Lila away while she simply waved goodbye.

”Daniel, was that a jealousy exhibition?” Lila asked with amusement once we reached my car.

”What if it was? That clown was pursuing you directly in front of me. Don’t I have the right to territorial behavior?”

”You do, but remember recently I caught a half-naked woman attempting to seduce you. Where’s the mutual trust?” she countered bluntly, disarming me with her directness.

”And you nearly assaulted her. I trust you completely—it’s him I don’t trust.” I began laughing. ”Incidentally, where did you acquire those combat skills?”

”I have two brothers. Beckett taught me self-defense since I never got along with the younger one. But don’t deflect.”

”Didn’t you inform that guy you had a boyfriend?” I asked, wondering if she was concealing me from her university associates.

”Everyone knows I have a boyfriend, but they didn’t know it was you. By Monday, everyone will know, since the gossip network witnessed your little performance in there.”

”Does that concern you?” She laughed.

”Start the engine, Inspector Martinez. Let’s go!” I obeyed her command, and once we escaped the university traffic, she eyed me mischievously. ”You look incredibly attractive when you’re jealous. It aroused me. Perhaps I should provoke your jealousy more frequently.”

”Damn, Lila!” I nearly slammed the brakes, almost rear-ending the vehicle ahead after her brazen declaration.