A Deal in Darkness (Dark and Devilish #2)

16

FIRST DAY BLUES

ADRIANA

I adjust my shirt, tucking it in and out of my trousers as I try to work out what first impression I want to make. My deal with Enzo means that it’ll be fine, whatever I wear, but I still want to do this for myself. It matters to me, and Enzo’s staring up at me like I’ve lost my goddamn mind.

“You look stunning, baby.”

“I want to look professional.”

He smirks. “You do. The trousers and the shirt are very professional.” He walks over and grabs my hips. “It’s hard to hide what’s underneath when it’s this damn sexy, baby.”

I blush and writhe as Enzo presses his groin into my ass.

“I don’t want to be late.”

“We’d better get going then,” he replies, grinding his cock against me. “Get your shoes on and I’ll meet you at the front door.”

He walks away and I grab a pair of pink court shoes, seamlessly matching the rose-colored tailored trousers. My outfit is elegant and modern, pretty but not girly, and I hope it helps me fit in at the literary agency.

“Baby.”

I grab my oversized bag that Enzo helped me pack and race down the stairs. Enzo helps me into my fitted coat and offers me his arm, guiding me out of his loft.

“The codeword for your driver is ‘Adonis’ and you always need to use it. Demons can change their form, baby. Appearances can be deceiving.”

“Why don’t you use it?” I ask, sliding into the waiting car.

“Because I have other ways of determining who is genuine.”

The driver pulls off and I sink into my seat, nervously watching as we drive through London. It isn’t very far from my new place of work, but Enzo keeps insisting a driver will take me and no amount of pleading will change his mind.

I sigh for the hundredth time and Enzo grabs my hand. “It’s going to be fine, baby. This is what you wanted. Try to enjoy it.”

Minutes later, we’re turning into the modern docklands and driving past more converted warehouses. The streets are full of commuters on their way to work, stopping to grab coffee from a cafe before they start their day. The driver makes a few turns and we pull up in front of a large glass building.

Its curved edges deflect the light, and the architect knew precisely what he was doing. The building is sleek, modern, calm but authoritative, making damn sure that everyone who sees it knows how expensive it is.

The driver opens the door and Enzo helps me out and I walk to the foyer. A hand slides into the small of my back and I catch a breath, surprised that I’m being escorted into work.

“This isn’t school,” I grumble. “I can manage without being taken into work.”

“Of course you can,” Enzo replies. “But I want to see your face when you arrive on the first day of your dream job, Adi. This is everything you ever wanted, and I’m selfish enough to want to enjoy this moment for myself.”

I roll my eyes, irritated he’s reminded me I didn’t earn this job on my own merits. The only reason I’m here is because of the deal I made for him, and Enzo won’t let me forget it, or the consequences of the arrangement I’ve made.

“Don’t doubt yourself. I would not have done this for anyone else, baby girl. You’re special and you’re talented. I simply had to point it out to a few important people.”

“You said it was rather inconvenient,” I mumble as we walk into the entrance hall. I stare up at the high ceiling with its minimalist chandeliers and the large open space is as intimidating as the building’s exterior.

Enzo waits until I stop and pulls me against him. “I lied, baby.”

His mouth drops to mine and he kisses me, letting his tongue play with mine and making me want more, despite the display we’re putting on. Our kiss is romantic, but it’s also designed to let everyone who’s watching know who my significant other is, and Enzo is publicly claiming me as his.

I sigh as I draw away and turn towards the reception desk. I’m interrupted by the sound of heels crashing on the staircase, and a tall woman makes her way toward us.

“Adriana?” she asks.

I nod and lift my hand awkwardly.

“Lovely to meet you, darling. I’m Emily. I run the agency. Lorenzo’s told me all about you, and you’re quite the catch. We’re delighted to have you with us.”

We shake hands and make polite conversation, as Enzo occasionally interjects to keep things moving along. Eventually, he excuses himself, reminding me he’ll collect me from work this evening, and he plants a kiss on my cheek before he leaves.

“Shall we?” Emily asks.

“Please,” I reply.

“Our offices are on the top two floors. I’d hoped we’d be a big enough firm to acquire the entire building, but we’ve had a tough few years. Publishing is a temperamental business and you’ll either learn to weather the storms or you’ll drown.”

I nod, walking beside her as something tells me it won’t be long until business picks up. Enzo will see to it if I ask for it, although he may have already made a few things happen to get me this job.

We take the elevator to the penultimate floor and Emily guides me past reception, showing me where clients wait. She’s giving me the guided tour and I’m shown around offices large and small, closed and open plan. I’m introduced to more people than I can remember and when it starts to feel overwhelming she smiles, taking me to a small room that looks stark compared to the other spaces I’ve seen.

“This is your office, Adriana. Graduates come in at entry level and they share the open plan spaces, but you’re different. You’ve got quite the eye and your tutors at Cambridge can’t stop singing your praises—so you won’t be interning or assisting other agents. You’ll be an agent and I’ll mentor you myself, but you will need to build your own list.”

It's a very generous offer. Far too generous for it to have been made on the back of a recommendation from my university tutors.

I mumble my thanks and stare at my office, wondering what the hell I’m supposed to do with it.

“You can decorate it how you want, but I suggest you try to make it fit with your personality and tastes as an agent. You’ll see clients and publishers here, so keep it professional. Your access codes are in the top drawer along with your keys, and if you want a different computer, let me know.”

She leaves, closing the door and leaving me trapped in the room I've always dreamed of having. An office is a privilege and it's one I haven't earned. I bought it and now I'm here; I don't know what to do.

I run my fingers down the fancy bookcase lining one wall, unsure what books to fill it with. Presumably, ones that radiate good taste and impress future clients and publishers who'll buy their manuscripts. I wouldn't know where to begin with filling them, or the blank spaces on the other walls which stare back at me.

I decide to sit at my desk and set up my computer, logging into the IT system and getting my emails running. There are several emails already in my inbox and I work my way through them, sending courteous replies and completing some of the tedious but mandatory training.

If this is the job of my dreams, then I dread to think how bad any other one would be. I'm losing the will to stay awake as I watch another training video, almost falling asleep when we reach the section about not sharing your password.

A knock on the door startles me back awake and another tall, thin woman walks in. She stares down her nose at me and her sharp features are as unwelcoming as her demeanor.

“Who did you sleep with to get this?” she asks, failing to introduce herself.

I blush and squirm, spluttering and too damn shocked to reply.

“God, I was joking. I'm Lucinda and I'm your associate. I'm supposed to help you with any admin tasks. Apparently, that includes running interference when anyone makes a joke.”

I nod, and she marches over, slumping into the chair at my desk. She leans back, making herself comfortable, and I'm aware of the dynamic at work here.

Lucinda's determined to make me feel small and out of my depth. She's lording her experience over me and doing everything she can to make me feel uncomfortable, without being rude.

“Did you set your querying account up yet?” she asks in a scathing tone.

“I've been settling in and sorting through my emails.”

“I can do that for you. I'll also set up your query account. I'm surprised it wasn't the first thing you did, given you're a new agent and you don't have a list. Your signings are what keep you in this office. Perform badly and you'll be out in the pits with us.”

She's right but I'll be damned if I let someone like her have access to my emails. Or set up and control which books I screen for potential new authors.

A week ago, I made a deal with Enzo because I was naive and didn't realize the consequences of my decisions. It's been quite the education and I won't make the same mistake twice. I wouldn't trust Lucinda if my life depended on it and there's not a chance in hell she's getting what she wants.

“I prefer to manage my own emails. And I'll set my profile up for new authors when I'm ready. Not before.”

She stiffens and pulls herself upright, flicking her long black hair as she walks out the door.

“Don't take too long, Adriana. The firm's in trouble and they're going to be making cuts soon. I'd hate to see you go before you've even started.”

She slams the door before I have a chance to respond, and truthfully, I don't have a witty comeback.

I plow through the induction, working through lunch to get on top of everything. A few other people make their way to my office and introduce themselves, staring at the blank walls with looks of disdain.

The impression I'm making isn't good and this is not the first day I wanted. I make myself a tea and sit, staring out the window, contemplating what to do next. I'm out of my depth and about to burst into tears—and I refuse to call the only person who might help. I won’t let Enzo know just how pathetic I am; instead, I wallow in self-pity, ignoring my phone as it pings at me.

I slip my shoes off and count down the minutes until the end of the day, wondering why the fuck I sold my soul for this. My gaze wanders into the open office space outside the office and see a man blazing past the desks with a woman pleading with him to stop. He’s carrying a large box, and he’s heading straight for my office, and everyone stops what they’re doing to watch the drama as it unfolds.

“Adriana Jefferson?” he asks.

“Yeah, that’s me.”

“Your delivery. Well, box one. Do you want the others here as well?”

The woman who I now recognize as the receptionist apologizes profusely, and I tell her it’s fine.

“How many are there?” I ask.

“Four more.” The courier grins. “As well as the flowers.”

Enzo’s arranged this and I don’t know whether to cry with relief or phone him up and scream at him. I bet the flowers are roses, sent in retaliation for the ones I bought last week. I wave my hand in agreement as the courier drops the box on my desk and disappears to collect the other ones from reception.

I grab a pair of scissors and open the first package, pulling out stationery, ornaments, and photo frames. The pictures are beautiful but fake, showing holidays we haven’t taken together. Apart from my graduation and one of me walking on the beach. My hair is tussled and I’m wearing a thin cardigan, looking back over my shoulder as I brace against the cold.

It’s the day we first met.

I don’t remember him taking this photo.

The courier wheels the other boxes into my office and the receptionist giggles as she hands me two large bunches of roses. I set the vases down on my desk and start unpacking the other boxes, piling books onto the shelves in some semblance of order.

Modern classics mix with special and first editions, building a selection that’s diverse, eclectic, and reeks of taste. There’s gothic horror, literary classics, poetry, and mysteries, with more than a dash of fantasy and romance thrown in. Each book has been selected with care and shipped in a way that makes it easy to unpack.

I finish arranging the ornaments when Enzo knocks, poking his head around the door with a wicked grin.

“They arrived then.”

“Yes, thanks.” I rest against my desk as he walks in. “The office feels like it belongs to someone who knows what they’re doing.”

He smiles and his arms extend either side of me as he leans against the desk. “You deserve all of this, Adi—it was the least I could do.”

I turn a shade of red that matches the roses. “You didn’t have to send the flowers.” I stare into his eyes and see their deep brown darken. “The books and ornaments were more than enough, Enzo.”

Enzo turns his head toward the bookcase, and his eyes move slowly down it as he scrutinizes everything. My stomach tightens, worried I’ve put a book in the wrong place or done something to offend him as his gaze intensifies and the atmosphere changes. A shiver rolls down my spine and I bite my lip nervously, waiting for his reaction, afraid of what it’ll be.

“It does look right,” he sighs and draws away. “Let’s get you home if you’re done for the day. I’ve missed you, baby. My cock’s missed your pussy, too.”