A Deal in Darkness (Dark and Devilish #2)

20

SHE LEAVES A MAELSTROM IN HER WAKE

ADRIANA

I wake on Enzo and he's playing with my hair, running his fingers through it as he sweeps it off my face and tucks it behind my ear.

“I'm so fucking proud of you, baby,” he whispers. “How are you feeling this morning?”

My back feels fine and when I run my hand down it, I don't feel any cuts or scratches. My ass feels a little warm, but it's a pleasant heat, and my pussy is gloriously sore.

“It doesn't hurt.”

“I'm not asking about your body, sweet girl. I'm asking how you feel?”

I sit up and I don't know the answer to his question. I stare down at the man lying on his back next to me and admire his spectacular physique. Enzo's muscles are perfection, each one sculpted by an artist as they cascade down his body and draw the eye towards his cock. It's equally intimidating and already hard, damn near begging for me to play with it.

A corner of my lip curls into a half smile and I get up and go to the bathroom. There's no response from Enzo when usually he'd insist I ask permission. He's watching me, lying in bed as he tracks my movements, but he isn't interfering and I'm not sure what that means.

I stare at myself in the mirror, twisting my body so I can see my back. There are no bruises or whip marks, only a slight pinkness to my ass cheeks. You'd never know last night happened.

I'm strangely disappointed.

Part of me wants to be bruised. Marked by Enzo. It wants a goddamn bruise so that it knows it belongs to him and is reminded who owns it.

My eyes flick to the reflection staring at me. Enzo's leaning against the doorframe, smirking slightly with his arms crossed like he knows everything that's going on.

“Tell me how you feel or I won't touch you for a week, baby.”

I see the faint blush spread over my chest and I'm sure Enzo caught it too.

“I don't know.”

He hums as he walks closer, towering above me as he stands behind.

“Try again, Adi.”

“Relaxed. Unusually relaxed.” Our eyes meet in the mirror again. “I feel refreshed. And it doesn't hurt. It’s surprising.” I stare at the floor, certain he'll make me finish my thought. “Last night felt good and I'm okay with it. I think, maybe, I'd like to do it again.”

He lowers his head to the bottom of my neck and nibbles on my skin. I moan and enjoy the sensation as pain and pleasure blend.

“I'm slightly disappointed.”

Enzo stops and our eyes meet once more. His are full of darkness and power, fire and fury. The gold flecks shine and I've come to realize that means his dominance is asserting itself. His silence isn't comforting and I turn, sure I'm in trouble.

“I thought it would leave a mark. I'd assumed it...” I dance my weight between my legs. “I guess I’m a little disappointed there isn't one. I sort of wanted there to be one. That's all.”

His fingers trail down my back and he grins wickedly. Enzo doesn't have a single pure thought occupying his mind and his cock jerks, bouncing off my stomach.

“My perfect fuck toy wants to be marked. Next time, I'll leave a mark you'll admire for days, sweet girl.”

He kisses me, lifting me so my legs wrap around his waist. I press into him and meet his need, darting my tongue into his mouth. Enzo carries me to the shower, kissing me like he can't get enough and the heat makes my body burn. In an instant, he changes from rough and dominant to soft and caring, carefully washing me as if I'm fragile. As if I might break if he put one finger wrong. Like I'm precious.

Enzo kisses me again, gently. It's as hot as the rough, dominant kiss earlier, but the heat is different. This is intimate and close, passionate but easy, and it elicits a sound I've never heard myself make.

We dress and I adjust my clothes, racing to meet Enzo at the front door. He helps me into my coat, walks me to the car, but today he doesn't join me. Instead, he leans in and stares down at me like he's on the verge of breaking.

“You're mine, Adi. Don't forget who owns you.”

He closes the door and the driver pulls away, leaving me to enjoy some time alone. I needed the space and as the buildings of London merge into blurs of color as we pass them; I realize that this is a reward.

I'm being gifted time alone because Enzo decided I earned it.

He's got me caught between reward and punishment, picking whichever one is most likely to get him what he wants. He'll praise me to encourage me, and demean me, to rile me—and the harsh, uncomfortable truth is that I like it.

I don't know what I'm doing, but I know that this is fun and I don't want it to end. The rational part of me can't stand this, but every other bit of me wants more. I should run away from Enzo and instead I want to run toward him.

He's danger and darkness and I can't get enough. He's a drug I get high off and a habit I don't want to shake. He's made me fall for him and I haven't even noticed it until now.

I walk into work in a trance and open my emails, working through an inbox filled with tedious jobs. A few new authors have approached me with their books, and I sort their books into outright rejections and ones that are promising. But the book I was sent yesterday still holds my attention, and by lunchtime, I've read half of it and I don't want to put it down.

“You like that one?”

Emily stands in the doorway and the temperature in the room drops. I shudder and I’m aware of the ice-cold lick that’s running over my body. She’s doing no more than looking at me, but she might as well be spitting venom at me.

It’s like someone just walked over my grave.

I’m on edge.

I’m shaking.

I’m clinging to my goddamn desk.

I force a smile and try to face whatever this is with an ounce of courage, aware I’ve got little choice. Emily’s smiling sweetly, but there’s nothing pleasant about the atmosphere she’s creating, and the sooner this is over, the better.

“I think it’s pretty good. I’m interested enough to want to get to the end.” I break my gaze to stare at the open document on my computer, grabbing a moment’s relief from Emily. “It’ll need a bit of editing, but it’s got potential to be great if it stays this good.”

“How great?” she asks, pointedly.

“Maybe a bestseller great, if the marketing’s done right.”

The smile that breaks over her face isn’t kind. It’s full of intrigue and interest in a vicious, calculating way. It’s the smile a tiger flashes you before it mauls you to pieces and if Emily’s a shark, she’s caught the taste of blood in the water.

“Tell me about it over lunch,” she says.

“Lunch?”

Emily tucks her sharply cut short hair behind her ear. “I’ll take you out. You need to know the good places around here, to entertain clients, and we can talk about this book.”

I swallow and the ominous sense of dread rises from the pit of my stomach. Time alone with Emily is bad enough, but leaving the safety of the office might be dangerous. I don’t know what she wants, but I know Enzo was worried enough to ask Byron to investigate.

And I’m not sure if this breaks Enzo’s rules.

It’s not that I want to obey him.

I just don’t want to get into trouble.

I’m not sure if I’m allowed to go, and I’m still figuring it out when Emily starts tapping her foot impatiently. She’s irritable and pissing your boss off is never a good idea, especially not when you started two days ago and haven’t contributed anything.

“Perfect,” I beam through an entirely false smile. “I’ll meet you down in reception. I need the bathroom.”

Emily taps her hand on the doorframe, lets her grin widen, and then leaves. Her heels clink as she marches across the associate’s office and I notice them pull themselves upright, smartening their appearance as she walks past them. They’re afraid of her, or at least cautious enough to snap to attention in her presence.

I grab my phone and message Enzo. He’s probably going to be pissed, but he’ll be fucking furious if I don’t contact him. The phone rings in seconds and my stomach sinks as I answer it.

“She insisted, Enzo. I didn’t have a choice. I’ve got to go for lunch with her and I’ve got no idea where she’s taking me.”

There’s a beat of silence and then another.

“It’s okay, baby.”

He sounds calm. Composed. Maybe even happy. There’s a lightness in his voice that I rarely hear, and he hasn’t raised his voice. Not in the slightest.

“Thank you for telling me, baby girl. I'll be there. Always. You don't need to worry.”

“But she'll...”

“Trust me, Adi. I know what I'm doing. Relax and I'll see you soon.”

Enzo hangs up and I grab my bag, racing to reception. Emily's waiting, doing something on her phone, and she clicks it shut.

“French or Italian?” she asks.

“Both,” I reply, blushing as she laughs. “I like both.”

We leave the office and walk along the streets, as Emily points out the bars and a few she considers worthy of showing clients. She's giving me a guided tour and the information is welcome, but a little overwhelming.

The waterfront is busy, and the converted warehouses now house many businesses. People are enjoying themselves on their lunch breaks, laughing in small groups as they take time out of their offices. Some are having working lunches and others are simply relaxing, glad to be away from work for a while.

“Tell me about the book you like so much.”

“It's fantasy romance. The world building's good and there's lots of adventure. Each chapter leaves you wanting more and I think it's good. Maybe great.”

Emily nods as she guides me into a modern Italian restaurant. Fancy lights hang from the ceiling and the bar is entirely mirrored, reflecting the light from above and outside. It's bright, exciting, and exactly the place you take someone to impress them.

I follow her to a table and that dark, depressing sensation in my gut returns. It's making me nauseous and I don't want to eat, even when it's one of the amazing dishes that the waiters bring to other tables. My discomfort grows as she orders a bottle of wine, and this is going to be a very long lunch.

A lunch that Enzo told me to enjoy and promised would be okay.

He isn't here, and my anxiety is increasing.

Emily's staring at me and that sharp, unnerving gaze of hers has me on edge. She wants something and now I'm alone with her. She won't be leaving without it. Her fingers drum the table and I notice her pointed, manicured nails.

Someone brushes against my back as they walk past, and another shiver slides down my spine. This is full of fire, flooded with heat, and my body recognizes that it's felt this touch before.

“Adriana?”

I turn my head as Enzo calls my name.

“What are you doing...” he smiles, turning back around. “I thought you were working...” His deep brown eyes snap to Emily and he tilts his head. “I see I'm interrupting. Forgive me.”

Emily smiles back at him, fluttering her eyelids a little as she drops her shoulders and sticks her chest out. My boss is flirting with whatever the hell Enzo is to me, and the pulse of jealousy that rips through me is like a lightning bolt.

It's pure, unbridled envy and it confirms everything I'd feared was true. I'm attached to Enzo and it isn't because of our deal. I've fallen for the asshole and it's a fucking disaster.

“I'm having lunch with a friend,” Enzo adds, resting his hand on my shoulder. “You might know her, Emily. She's written a book or two.”

Emily's eyebrows rise, and Enzo tightens his grip on my shoulder. His message is crystal clear: stay still and don't interrupt. Obey or face the consequences.

“I don't suppose she's looking for an agent?” Emily jokes.

“She might be. I understand she's having problems with her new manuscript. But I don't want to ruin your lunch by talking shop.”

Those perfectly manicured hands wave in the air like it's nothing. Enzo pulls his phone out as he walks to the front door, presumably checking the new lunch arrangement suits his friend. Or employee. Or whoever it is who owes him a favor.

He claps his hands as he returns, taking a seat at our table.

“Anna's running a little late. She's delighted to join us and said to order for her.”

Emily clicks her fingers to attract the waiter's attention and it annoys me. We order and she makes small talk with Enzo, talking about her recent holiday on the Italian Riviera. Emily has expensive taste and she edges closer to Enzo, still flirting with him.

In my fucking presence.

He laughs at one of her unfunny jokes and slides his hand onto my thigh. That uncomfortable, unpleasant feeling starts to rise again, and Enzo arches an eyebrow, picking up on it.

“We should go, baby. It's about time I took you away for a weekend.” He leans in and plants a chaste kiss on my cheek. “Ah, Anna's here.”

He stands and another tall, elegant woman walks over. Her hair is a flame of auburn and her striking features catch the attention of every man in the restaurant.

If this is a taste of the competition for Enzo's attention, then I'm way out of my league. I sigh as Emily stands and her hand gestures for me to follow her direction. I rise as my stomach sinks, overcome by the awful aura Emily's emitting.

“Anna, meet Adriana, my very significant other.”

The woman nods and shakes my hand.

“And this is...”

“She doesn't need introducing. Emily and I move in the same circles. She rejected my first book.”

“It was the mistake of my career,” Emily laughs. “I'm glad things are going well for you, Anna. You’re writing bestseller after bestseller.”

We sit and smile, and I reach for my wine. It doesn't improve my mood and Enzo watches me carefully, wondering what's wrong.

“Tell my agent that,” Anna groans. “I'm at my wit’s end with the woman. She doesn't want to sell my latest, although it's my best work.”

Emily's focus changes, and she's circling Anna like a hunter rounding up its prey. She's cunning too, putting Anna at ease with a conversation that has nothing to do with acquiring her book. She's lulling her into a false sense of security before she goes in for the kill—and I notice that the foreboding, nagging feeling disappears.

“I can't wait to read your new book,” she says eventually. “I bet publishers are lining up to buy it.”

Anna shakes her head. “My agent thinks it's a dud. She says it's a bad idea to switch genres.”

“Maybe you should consider a different agent,” Emily muses.

“Emily, that game won't work. I'm in the market for a new agent and you're interested. But you don't do this genre, so unless you've got someone new at your firm, I'm going to look elsewhere.”

“What's the genre, Anna?”

“Fantasy romance.”

I blush as Enzo's hand strokes my thigh and Emily grins like she's got everything what she wanted.

“We've taken on a new agent. She's into fantasy romance, and she's looking to build her portfolio. She's good, she's keen, and she'll work for it.”

Anna leans forward and runs her finger around the rim of her wineglass. “I should meet her.”

“You already have. She's sitting right next to you. I've got to get back to the office, but I'll leave you to discuss the book over dessert. Let me know if you're interested in signing with Adriana.”

Emily leaves and I exhale loudly, relieved a burden's been lifted. Whatever weight was pressing down on me has gone and I visibly relax, much to Enzo's interest.

“What do you think?” he asks Anna.

“She's not a witch,” she replies. “But she is being influenced by magic. It's an unusual spell that ruins its victim’s life through another. I can undo this spell, but whoever cast it is out for blood and they won't stop until they have Adriana's.”

Enzo growls and his fingers dig into my thigh. I whimper as shadows descend over his face and every inch of him contracts, readying itself for whatever is threatening me. The fire and rage I felt before returns as Enzo changes the atmosphere to suit his mood.

“Our alliance still stands, Anna.”

She nods and turns her attention to me. “Enzo speaks highly of you, and my bitch of an agent has fucked me off one too many times. It's too much fucking hassle to conjure up a spell every time she disagrees with me. I'll email you the book. If you like it, I'll sign with you. I expect favorable terms, but I'm sure we'll come to some arrangement.”

Anna rises and leaves, leaving all the men staring at her. She's beautiful and the maelstrom of lust she leaves in her wake is quite potent, affecting men who ought to know better. Several women are thoroughly pissed and I'm one of them until Enzo slides his arm over my shoulder and leans in.

“Anna does that. Her real name is Morgana, and she's a High Priestess.” His fingertips drag down my arm and send a bolt of electricity coursing over my skin. “She isn't my current taste in women, Adriana.”

I purse my lips and avoid asking him the obvious question.

“Since you're so reluctant to ask, I'll tell you, anyway. My current taste is sexy as fuck blondes with beautiful, innocent blue eyes who have tits to die for and an ass I'm dying to fuck.”

My clit wakes up and throbs, eager for him to play with it, even in a fucking restaurant.

“That blonde made a second deal with me last night, and I'm damn well holding her to it. Tonight, Adi. My cock is fucking that perfect virgin ass of yours and you're going to take it because I won't stop until I come.”