2
A GODDAMN IDIOT
ADRIANA
T he rain soaks through my jeans as I trudge to work from the station. It's already dark and the streetlights make London's streets seem safer.
Not entirely safe, though.
Working behind a bar was the last job I wanted to do, but it was the only one I could get. It just about paid enough to keep a roof over my head. The only good thing about it was that I could use the days off to let me apply for other work.
For the job that I hoped to secure.
I've spent months trying almost every publishing house in London and most of the agencies. No one's hiring.
Well, they're not hiring me.
But that's a problem for tomorrow, because tonight's is another shift in the dark, dingy bar. The guys I work with are fine, but the men who frequent it are not. I spend most of the night being stared at by customers who sometimes take things too far.
At least the manager's a decent guy, who’s sent me home in a taxi work's paid for on more than one occasion.
I greet the bouncer as I slip into the bar and notice that it's surprisingly quiet. Usually, there'd be a long queue, but tonight the place looks dead.
It's a blessing and a curse. A shift without as much work but an evening that drags on. Although, it’ll give me a chance to make a start on some more job applications if there isn't too much to do.
I throw my coat onto its hook and leave my bag in the locker. There's little to do but get started, so I make my way back up the stairs, greeting everyone as I start my shift.
The three of us working tonight have become good friends and we laugh and joke, mostly about the misadventures of one of them. He's got a habit of chasing after the wrong girls and it invariably ends in disaster. This time, she had a boyfriend and if the story he's telling is true; he escaped over the garden fence.
“Adriana.”
My name cuts over the music and our laughter, as Matt calls me over. He seems young to be a manager, but at least that makes him reasonable. He's always been kind and now the hesitation in his voice sounds wrong. Something's off. Worryingly off.
“Do you know that guy sitting over there?”
I flick my eyes over Matt's shoulder and meet Enzo's ebony irises, staring back at me. He's amused, and he raises his brandy glass as his grin widens.
“He's a friend of my mother's.”
And he shouldn't be here. In fact, he's the only customer here tonight. Enzo is out of place in this dark and dingy bar. He's dressed in expensive clothes, looking pristine in a tailored white shirt that opens to reveal just the right amount of chest. His watch costs more than the whole damn place and the glint in his eye is keener than the shimmer as the metal reflects some light.
Matt exhales. Loudly.
“This is going to sound weird. And there's no pressure, Adriana.” Matt looks worried. Awkward. Embarrassed. “He said he wanted to talk to you. Just talk to you. Until we close. He promised it was just a conversation, and he said...”
I wait and stare at Enzo, sending him my best pissed-off expression as I wonder what Matt's going to tell me.
“He said he'd give us each ten grand. In cash. Tonight. Each.” Matt darts his eyes to the two other guys behind the bar, who are oblivious to our conversation. “That's a lot of money for an innocent chat, Adi.”
“You believe him?”
Matt nods. “Yeah. I've been around, and I know when someone's pulling shit. He's not. But you don't have to do this. It's your call. It's just a lot of money and I could do... We all could do with...”
I smile and stroke his upper arm, trying to reassure him. “Enzo's a family friend. He's just trying to help and he's got more money than sense.”
Matt's brows furrow and his eyes narrow. “I'll be behind the bar. All night. If he so much as makes one wrong move, I'll deal with it.”
Enzo might have enough money to throw it around, but he isn't stupid. He's got a plan and whatever it is, I'm not sure I like it. My stomach definitely doesn’t and the butterflies scatter, erupting in panic.
The man smirks as I walk towards him, reclining in his chair perfectly at ease and content now he has what he wants. The venom in my stare doesn't affect him in the slightest, and he gestures to a chair. One on the opposite side of the table from him.
“There are other ways to get my attention.”
Enzo watches me sit, eyeing me with a mischievous grin as he waits for me to get comfortable. I fidget and he’s amused enough to lean forward a little, chuckling under his breath.
“This is going to be a very dull conversation if you don’t say something.” I huff, flicking my long, blond hair.
“It’s going to be a fascinating conversation, Adriana,” he says, leaning in a little more. “How are you doing since we last spoke?”
My eyes widen, caught by surprise. I stare at the brandy swirling around its glass, watching the ambers and reds spiral as fast as my thoughts. Enzo isn’t here for a pleasant conversation and the sooner I figure out whatever his agenda is, the better.
“Fine.”
His head tilts, and he doesn’t believe me. “Fine never means fine. How’s work?”
“It pays the bills.”
His almost perfect lips curl into another wide and easy smile.
“Drink?” he says, almost innocently
I nod, and he gets up, walking over to the bar without asking what I want. It annoys me. Immensely. I can order my drink, especially at the bar where I work. It doesn’t seem to bother him, and he talks with Matt, presumably reassuring him as he orders for me.
He turns swiftly, walking back as if nothing’s wrong.
“He likes you.”
“Of course he likes me.” I scoff. “He’s a friend.”
Enzo sits and waits for Matt to bring over a bottle of white wine, leaving the bucket next to me. Safely away from Enzo.
“So,” he says, taking another large mouthful of his brandy. “We were talking about you. How are things going?”
He places the glass on the table, dragging his finger around the rim and making the crystal sing. It’s sharp, clear, and a note of warning, making my heart race as the tension rises.
“What is it you want, Enzo?” I’m exasperated.
“A pleasant conversation,” he says, smiling as his eyes follow the tresses of my hair as they cascade over my shoulders. “The pleasure of your company.”
I pull my hair to one side and rest my elbow on the table, letting it take the weight of my head. He’s driving me insane with his deflections and non-committal answers, and eventually, he’ll have to give me a straight one. Preferably sooner. Before I lose my temper or my patience.
“Do you miss Cambridge?” he asks.
I shake my head. “Not really. I miss studying. I miss reading. I don’t miss the stuck-up people or the place.”
Enzo tips his head back and laughs, carefree and unrestrained. The sound is glorious, and he looks unburdened. He’s even more handsome like this, even more attractive. His eyes shine with delight as his muscles relax and his forearms catch my attention as he runs his hands through his ebony hair.
He keeps the conversation light, talking about my time at university and the different places I used to spend time in Cambridge. He knows the small city well, almost like he’s lived there. When he mentions a small park that only the locals know, his eyes flick up to meet mine and I’m certain he’s daring me to ask him about it.
“You’ve lived in Cambridge?”
He nods. “I have a house there. The one near your mother’s cottage is a retreat away from the city. I also keep a place in London. You’re welcome over if you want to see it.”
I shrug and ignore the terribly unsubtle hint.
Enzo’s turning on the charm and the slight flush spreading across my chest is a warning he’s getting to me. He knows how to get what he wants, and what he appears to want is to flirt. Subtly, but outrageously.
And Matt noticed too, staying as near as he can while remaining at the bar, keeping his eyes locked firmly on Enzo.
“I’m surprised we didn’t bump into each other. We seem to know the same places and Cambridge isn’t that big.” It’s odd that we haven’t met before, as we love the same places and he moves in the same circles as my mother. Enzo and I ought to have met before the beach, and, strangely, we’re only meeting now.
“I’m not.”
He closes the conversation down, abruptly changing the subject back to work and how my job hunt is going.
The answer is as stark as the uncomfortable atmosphere in the empty bar. Enzo leans forward, pouring me another glass of wine as he lets the silence ramp up the pressure, refusing to make this easier for me.
“May I?” he says, smirking as he edges his chair closer to mine before I answer.
I nod anyway, and Matt exhales loudly.
“He’s rather fond of you. His girlfriend should be worried.”
“His girlfriend doesn’t need to be,” I reply.
Enzo’s smile is easy and contains a world of temptation and promise in its perfect curves and lines. His eyes light up, sending my heart racing as my thoughts spiral and I’m struggling to keep up with the way he’s making me feel.
I’m on edge. In all the right ways.
It’s wrong. It’s right.
I tell myself it isn’t going to happen.
“What if I said I could help?” Enzo says, whispering but catching my attention with his quiet, controlled voice. “I could help you get that job, Adriana.”
I freeze, and my expression gives away how desperately I want this. It’s a split second of weakness that leaves me vulnerable now he knows how badly I want what he’s offering. Enzo knows exactly what I want and just how much I want it, and it’s now a question of whether my resolve will hold against temptation.
“I could make it happen.” He leans in a little closer. “It wouldn’t be too much trouble. Not for you.”
I tilt my head and stiffen.
Men like him want something, and this is no exception to that rule. Enzo’s offering to help me, but it’ll come with a price tag. Probably an expensive one.
“What do you want?”
My mouth is dry, and my voice is hoarse.
“What will you give me?”
My chest tightens as my heart pounds against it, frantically pumping blood around my body, yet somehow my head feels light.
“What do you want, Enzo?”
He pulls his chair toward me as I lean in, taking a very large mouthful of wine. Enzo leans across me, grabbing the bottle and making sure my glass is full.
I need to slow down.
I need to keep a clear head.
I shouldn’t be downing my wine like I haven’t had a drink in days.
“The pleasure of your company,” he says.
The alcohol must be going to my head. I’m dizzy and the rest of the bar fades away as the only thing I can focus on is Enzo. His eyes darken, turning an even darker shade of brown, and flecks of scarlet and gold sparkle in his stunning irises. They’re captivating and they’re holding me in thrall, unable to escape his gaze—and I wouldn’t even want to try.
“Dinner, Enzo?”
He laughs gently. “More than dinner, Adriana. I’ll make you a deal. You can have anything you want—the job of your dreams, the jewelry, the clothes, all the books you can read and more—and in return, you give me you.”
I blush and giggle, uncomfortable. His proposition is dangerous. I should be appalled. It’s despicable, but it’s enticing. He’s enticing. I’m excited in a way I haven’t been. Ever.
“This isn’t Faust.”
“Let’s hope not.” He laughs, dryly. “I recall that ending badly.”
“You can’t be serious?”
“Deadly,” Enzo says. “I can give you everything you want, everything you could ever want—and all I want in return is you.”
I laugh, wildly.
He draws back, unphased.
I take another drink and he reaches for his. His jaw tightens for a split second while he watches me, paying me the same attention that a predator gives their prey before they move in for the kill.
“You can’t seriously expect me to take you up on this?” My voice trails off at the end as I lose the courage of my conviction. “You haven’t told me what you want or for how long our deal would hold—and you’ve not even given me any proof you can do any of this.”
Enzo smirks and I realize I’ve told him I’m considering taking him up on his offer. His arm reaches over the back of his chair as he finishes his brandy, stretching it toward me to pick off a loose strand of hair.
“I’ll tell you what, Adriana,” he says, getting up and putting his jacket on. “If I get you a job offer, then we’ll consider the deal finalized.”
He turns and picks up his bag, leaving me staring at him as he walks away. Enzo hands the bag to Matt, turning to nod his head at me. He’s still amused, still smirking like an arrogant asshole who just got the prize he wanted—and the ripple of anger pulsing through me sets me on fire.
I stand and shake my head.
“You can’t really expect me to agree to this.”
“Are you telling me you don’t?”
My heart leaps into my mouth and time stands still. He’s offering me everything I could dream of, but the price is far higher than I’m willing to pay. I’d be insane to give him what he wants. I must have lost my mind because it seems so easy, so simple, so enticing.
He’s handsome, charming, and he’s kind. Funny too, with a dry, dark wit that makes me want to laugh out loud.
This is madness .
I’ve gone insane .
Because instead of telling him to take a running jump, I teeter on the edge of accepting this arrangement. Part of me screams this is dangerous, but the greater part of me is excited by it and the possibility of getting everything I want is too great an opportunity to pass up.
“No.”
“So, we’re agreed?” he asks, his tone deep, dark and dangerous.
I pray I won’t regret my moment of weakness and nod my head. “Yes.”
“Good.”
Enzo brings his hands together before he marches out of the bar, leaving me standing. I’m confused. I’m excited. I’m terrified. I’m desperate to find out what’s going to happen.
Worse, I’m turned on and have to force myself to maintain some dignity, somehow narrowly avoiding chasing after him like a goddamn idiot.