A Deal in Darkness (Dark and Devilish #2)

7

THE DEMON WEARS PRADA

ENZO

“B aby, it's time.”

Adriana looks pissed and if she pushes this much further, I'll fuck the foul temper out of her. She spins around, seething as she storms past me toward the front door, putting on her shoes like a petulant teenager.

She's testing her boundaries and railing against her situation. The blue of her eyes is striking as her rage flows through her pretty irises and into the world. They're still innocent and I doubt she'll lose that pure look, despite all the things I plan to do as I corrupt her.

I open the door and she ignores me as she makes her way into the garden, only stopping so I can open the exterior entrance.

“Your hand, baby.”

“Fuck you,” she spits back, crossing her hands. She’s being willful. That's one.

I'm not letting this pass. Not this time.

“Manners, baby,” I say, annoying her with my composure. “We'll deal with your behavior later. Your hand, before your punishment gets more severe.”

She pouts and thrusts her hand at me. It’s ungraceful. Done in petulance.

That’s two.

My girl thinks she's being clever, but she's got a lot to learn and there's all the time in the world to teach her. I've only just begun to tease and torment her, and I'm going to delight in prolonging her torture.

I smile and escort her to the car, ushering her into the back. She sits and stares at me, wondering what I'm doing as I wait and clearly, she's never been in a chauffeur-driven car before. I close the door, walk around the back and get in the other side, ignoring the slight irritation brewing that I've had to inconvenience myself over her.

Adriana has the decency to look embarrassed as she realizes her error, and it helps placate me.

“I'd assumed you were driving,” she mumbles.

I shake my head, and we drive away.

She turns and looks out the window, watching the city pass her by as if she's never seen London before. Adriana's focusing on anything except me and I'm unusually content to watch her marvel at the buildings as we weave through the city.

She's dazzled and it's breathtaking to watch her lose herself in the moment.

We pull up on Bond Street and the driver opens the door. I raise my eyebrows and she hesitates until I nod and tell her to get out of the car.

Minutes ago, she was pushing against every goddamn boundary she could. Now, she's afraid of going within a meter of them in case she puts a foot wrong.

It's fascinating.

She's intriguing.

She's special.

The special you only find once a century if you're lucky and I'll be damned if anyone takes her from me. The thought alone riles my temper. I’m incandescent with rage by the time we arrive. Murderous, even. Heads could roll and I could do with the release.

One of my lieutenants waits for us, ready to help Adriana with whatever she needs. My girl should enjoy this afternoon, especially since she has an unlimited shopping budget and few constraints.

“Eva.” I nod.

Adriana stiffens and scowls at Eva, practically spitting venom. Eva's pretty but doesn't hold a candle to Adriana. My tastes have never included my assistant, although many others do. Despite all this, Adriana feels threatened enough to misbehave, and I hope it’s jealousy that’s making her act like a brat.

“You know my preferences, Eva. Classic. Elegant. Refined.”

Eva nods and extends her arm, prompting Adriana to walk towards the designer shops.

“Adriana,” I call after her, making her stop suddenly. She doesn’t turn immediately, and it’s an annoying detail that makes my temper flare. “You need a full wardrobe. Get anything you like.”

She doesn’t smile, simply turning to walk away in silence.

I watch her walk away, glaring at the two demons tracking her down the street. They’re here because they’re bound to me and I’ve made damn sure they know what’s expected of them. Exactly what’s required.

Adriana stays safe. At all costs.

But she doesn’t need to know they’re here.

My girl wants some space, and she isn’t ready to find out how dangerous the world can be. I took her innocence last night, but I won’t deprive her of the illusion she’s grown up with. The one that convinces her the world is safe and warm, that it doesn’t have darkness lurking at every corner waiting for its chance to emerge.

The demons nod and scurry away, merging into the crowds as they blend in with the mortals on the street. My eyes dart back to Adriana, watching her disappear into a shop and I curl my hands into fists, letting my magic spill onto the street.

To humans, it’ll feel like an ice-cold breeze that reminds them of an unpleasant memory, like someone walking over their grave.

To everyone else, it’s a warning to anyone who dares to even think about crossing me.

I return to the car, pulling out my phone and sorting through the messages and emails I need to catch up on. It’s a mystery to me how we generate so many messages and conversations that need my attention, although the new technology has some advantages over messages sealed in a codex or hidden in a cipher.

The driver fetches me a coffee and I work methodically, clearing through the backlog I’ve created today. Adriana’s held my attention all day and the cost of it is a mountain of emails.

I’ll be discussing this with Byron just as soon as I catch up with the devious asshole. He’s been avoiding work for weeks and I don’t have the time or inclination to let him continue pulling this shit. There are far more interesting pursuits available and I intend to spend my time indulging myself.

I grab the newspaper and read, amused by the ridiculous stories that humans manufacture to convince themselves the world is safe. People attribute an earthquake to some freak event of nature and attribute a massacre on an island in the middle of nowhere to some terrorists.

The lengths they’ll go to as they fabricate their delusions are extraordinary. I sigh, noting the movements and machinations of other demons and creatures of the dark.

I’m rarely caught off-guard these days and being warned is akin to being forearmed.

My phone rings and I silence it before I register who’s calling.

It rings again and I’m annoyed.

I grab the damn thing and yell down the phone that I don’t want to be disturbed. The silence from the other end is ominous and I wait, wondering why the fuck the idiot who dared to interrupt me hasn’t started begging for their life already.

“She won’t buy anything.”

I exhale, and my eyes flick out the window.

“I apologize for disturbing you, Sir.” Eva’s shaken and her voice is trembling. “We’ve been to three shops, and it’s been two hours. The girl won’t buy anything. I’ve tried, but she’s refusing.”

“Is there nothing that she likes?”

I hear the gulp and Eva’s terrified. “There’s plenty that she likes. But she won’t buy anything.”

“Tell her to get everything.”

“I’ve tried, Sir. She says she doesn’t want to.”

My jaw ticks and my fingers tighten around the phone until it makes a creaking sound. I’m enraged and I won’t tolerate this ridiculous behavior. Adriana needs clothes that are suitable for her position at my side and she’s pushing every one of my goddamn buttons by refusing.

And we haven’t even got to the lingerie yet.

“WHERE. ARE. YOU?”

“Prada.”

“I’m unimpressed, Eva. You know what happens when I’m disappointed.”

My assistant whimpers and I hang up, throwing the car door open and marching down the street. The doorman barely has time to open the door before I charge through it, heading straight for the dressing rooms.

One girl dares to tell me I’m not allowed in the ladies’ changing and fortunately—for her, and everyone around her—the manager recognizes me and intervenes.

I’m ushered in amidst profound apologies.

Adriana’s standing in the middle of a large, airy space, surrounded by mirrors, and she looks fucking stunning. The evening dress cuts her figure as if was made for her, save for the few inches that need tailoring off the bottom. It’s elegant, modern but classic, and shows precisely the right amount of tits and legs.

“We’re taking that one.”

She snaps her head around and pales.

“I don’t…”

“It’s perfect.” I’m mumbling, strangely lost for words. “Go try the next one on.”

Adriana bites her lip and debates arguing with me. Her pinched-up brow and heaving chest suggest she’s still considering it, even when I glare at her. She’s pushed too far, tested my patience and left me no alternative but to deal with her defiance. In public.

“What is the problem?”

She drops her head and sulks away, heading to the cubicle to avoid a confrontation. Unfortunately for her, I’m not letting this drop and I grab her arm. Tight enough to make her whine.

“I ask a question. I expect an answer.”

Those big blue eyes flick up to mine, and I don’t understand the emotion rippling through them. Damn, that’s new, and it’s fucking fascinating. Unnerving but absolutely enthralling. I’ve never been unable to divine the thoughts of mortals, but this is a first and I am absolutely captivated, desperate for her to tell me what the fuck she’s thinking.

“It’s too much.”

I nod.

“I don’t want it. I don’t want any of it.”

My jaw ticks. “Why not?”

“Because I’ll owe you.”

I exhale. At least she’s got a reason. A sensible one, too. Her behavior may grate, but there’s a logical explanation behind it and now I realize my girl is terrified. I can manage this situation. Manage her.

The surrounding silence is tense as Eva cowers against the wall and the shop attendants stare closely, trying to understand what’s going on. They’ve seen Adriana’s fear and noted my hold on her. And their interpretation of the power dynamic isn’t wrong.

I smile and dip my head, bringing my mouth to her ear.

“You’re already mine, baby. This doesn’t change our deal. You don’t owe me any more than you did already.”

She swallows and flicks her head toward mine.

“I expect no more from you than I already did. Do you understand?”

Adriana shakes her head.

“I’m going to fuck you tonight, baby. The amount of money you spend has no bearing on how I choose to abuse that pretty little pussy of yours. Or how many times.”

She turns red and I resist the urge to shove her up against a wall and fuck her senseless.

“The only thing your refusal to cooperate is doing is pissing me off and you don’t want to do that, baby.” I drop my shoulders, attempting to show her I’m softening. “I said buy whatever you want. I meant it. As long as it’s in keeping with my preferences.”

I watch her freeze, and now I understand the dilemma she’s been facing. I haven’t given Adriana enough guidance and the poor thing’s petrified of making a mistake.

“You’re okay.” My voice is loud enough for the entire room to hear. “A bit overwhelmed.” My eyes flick to the shop attendants, who still seem concerned. “Just breathe for me, baby. There you go. Just focus on your breathing and it’s all going to be fine.”

The shop girls giggle and swoon, falling for the lie they’re so keen to believe is true. They’ve attributed my actions to that of a man determined to save his girlfriend from a panic attack.

Adriana heads back to a changing room, and I walk toward the manager. “She needs everything. An entire wardrobe. You work on commission, right?”

He nods, clapping his hands and immediately bringing the shop assistants to life. They rush off, returning with piles of clothes in time to see Adriana emerging in yet another stunning dress. Her legs are meant to be shown off, and the skirt leaves little to the imagination. It’ll be perfect to fuck her in, and there’s not a chance we’re leaving without it.

“Beautiful.”

“It’s too short.”

“It’s perfect.” I grin and I don’t give a fuck if she likes it.

The girls flock around her, adjusting the fabric and making minor adjustments that are unnecessary. They fetch shoes and Adriana finally begins to relax as she puts them on and looks like the princess she’s been hiding in her drab, baggy clothes.

I smile, nod, and she retreats behind a curtain to try on another outfit. I sit on the ottoman and Eva fetches me the newspaper while the manager arranges for coffee.

The girls fuss over Adriana as she tries on more outfits, rarely meeting a no from me. The only objections I have are when the clothes look cheap or they don’t suit her figure, and I’m pleasantly surprised to discover that my girl already has good taste.

Three coffees later and the pile of clothes and accessories is disgustingly extravagant and we’ve expended all the possibilities in this shop. I beckon the manager over, arranging for the alterations to be made as swiftly as possible and for the items to be delivered to my loft. Eva takes the hint and leaves with him, sorting out the finer details, including payment.

“You ready?” I ask.

“For what?” Adriana asks in reply.

I smile and extend my hand, pleased when she takes it without resistance. I pull her against me, wrapping my arm around her as I guide her out of the shop.

“The next shop, baby.” I whisper into her ear. “You’ve been trying to hide your sexy little body underneath those hideous clothes you insist on wearing and I won’t allow it. I insist you show everyone your fucking glorious figure while making damn sure they know who it belongs to.”

She tries to hide a giggle and if I weren’t a demon, I’d have missed her reaction. Adriana is a slut for praise and I pocket that for use later.

“We’ll leave the underwear for tomorrow.”