A Deal in Darkness (Dark and Devilish #2)

43

YOU'LL THANK ME FOR THIS

ADRIANA

I wake in the most comfortable bed I’ve ever been in and I don’t want to move. The mattress and the duvet are divine and the temperature’s perfect. This is heaven and I don’t want to go anywhere.

“You’re awake,” Enzo says.

My eyes focus on his, finding him sitting at the end of the bed. In human form.

“Where are we?” I ask.

“Hell,” he replies.

I stretch and try to hide the smile that’s breaking out on my face. The man is a nightmare and I adore him for it. His smile matches mine and he’s so damn beautiful it almost hurts my eyes to look at him. His jet black hair falls over his bronzed face, and in his human form the man looks like an adonis and not the monster lurking underneath. The gleam in his eyes is still there and I stare, bewitched and in his thrall as he crawls up the bed.

“Are we going to talk about it?” I ask.

“Do you want to, Adi?”

I shake my head. “Not yet. I just want to know what an Altair is.”

Enzo nods and pulls me against him. “That’s not a simple question to answer. Mostly because I’ve spent my life hunting you down so I could purge you from this world.”

He swallows and strokes my hair.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got no intention of letting you go or letting anything happen to you. I’ve endured centuries of torture and pain, witnessed horrors I can’t begin to describe, and none of it compared to those few seconds when I thought I was losing you.”

I wasn’t worried.

“Maybe it’s just easier to explain what you are,” Enzo sighs. “You’re descended from an angel. A seraphim, actually. Michael. More than descended, baby. He’s your father.”

My mouth forms a small but perfect circle and I stare at the black room I find myself in. The gold and silver trim hint at opulence and everything else is so damned expensive it’s pointless trying to hide it.

“The Altair is his child. One is born to each generation. You affect the world, influencing it for the greater good. That’s the myth, but no one from Hell has ever met one. It explains why we’re drawn to you and it’s why everyone keeps saying you’re so special.”

I shake my head.

“You can’t have been looking for me for centuries if there’s one born every generation. It doesn’t make sense…”

Enzo nods, gently. “A new one is born each generation and when they die, another is born to replace them. The legend says that if the devil can find and kill the Altair, then Michael will be so overcome with grief that he will not father another.” He places a soft kiss on my head and I sigh. “Lucifer tasked me with finding you and after a few millennia, we decided you were a myth made up by the Almighty asshole to waste our time and efforts. Lucifer questioned him about it and he laughed, and we took that as confirmation we’d been sent on a wild goose chase.”

I draw away and Enzo pulls me back.

“Apparently, the Almighty is not above lying either. At least not when it comes to protecting you. Lucifer has searched for you to stop you from influencing the world for the better.”

“And he wants to kill me so the world is worse off?”

“That’s what Hell does, baby. We balance the sickly goodness of those assholes who like to lord it over us. Too much virtue isn’t a good thing.” Enzo runs his fingers down my arm and goosebumps fly in every direction. “Don’t worry, Adriana. There’s time to figure something out. Lucifer’s busy dealing with all the cunts who sided with Eva.”

I turn and stare at Enzo like he’s lost his fucking mind. The Devil isn’t someone you want to piss off and my very existence is a thorn in his side. If Enzo is relentless, then they haven’t invented a word to describe Lucifer, and I don’t understand why he isn’t taking this seriously.

“The Devil owes me a favor, baby. I’ll be collecting you as payment.”

My eyebrow arches, and his rises to meet it.

“I still own you, baby,” he says in a voice as wicked as sin itself. “Our deal still stands, Adriana. Don’t ask me to change it. Don’t ask me to let you go. I can’t and I won’t. You are mine for all eternity, and nothing will change my mind.”

I nod. “You haven’t kept up your end of the deal?”

His eyebrow arches higher.

“You promised me jewelry and houses and anything I damn well want.”

Enzo’s hand slides up my back and grabs a fistful of my hair. “You haven’t asked for anything, baby. Except in that fucking temple when you demanded a mansion and some trinkets.” His grip tightens and the tension ripples through me. “I’ve already bought us a new house. By the river so you can stare at the boats to your little heart’s content.”

I smile and melt, swooning for the vicious man who’s holding me so damn tightly that pain sears across the back of my scalp.

“Say thank you,” he snarls.

“For what?” I reply, pushing my luck.

“For giving you what you asked for, Adi,” he smirks, stealing a kiss from my lips. “And for not tanning your ass for almost dying on me.”

I sigh and then giggle, relieved this is over—and the expression on Enzo’s face tells me I’ve pushed my luck far too fucking far.

“You’re in so much fucking trouble, baby girl,” he says in a tone that’s laced with every ounce of sin in this place. Enzo’s brimming with excitement and the lust flooding through his eyes spills out into his body. His perfect body and its muscles in all the right places that draw the eye down to his perfect V-line. The one he’s not trying to conceal in his sweats.

“Why are you wearing those things?”

My mouth runs away with itself before I can stop it from thinking out loud.

Enzo smirks and pulls me so close to his face that it’s agony to be parted from him. I try to kiss him and his hand holds me so tight that I can’t and his smirk widens.

“Why indeed?” he muses. “Your mouth is making threats your body can’t handle, sweet girl.”

My eyebrow arches and his eyes flash wide open.

His hand shoves my head down and I half-scream, half-shriek. The heat of the pain shooting over my scalp matches the heat bursting between my legs and in seconds Enzo has me lying across his lap, desperate for anything he’ll give me.

“So. Fucking. Needy.”

Enzo yanks my shorts down and I squirm, enjoying the sheer damn horror of the predicament of this.

“Pick a number, baby.”

“One.”

The sting erupts and my eyes water. Enzo’s not holding back and my ass burns so damn hot it might eclipse the fires burning somewhere around us.

“Your mouth needs to learn some manners, baby.”

I shriek, resisting the urge to ask him if he’s going to be the one to try to teach it and follow it up with a reminder he’s failed so far. My laughter turns hysterical and Enzo circles my ass with his hand and the sting burns hotter.

“Pick again, baby. Something sensible this time, or I’ll have to choose a different punishment.”

“Five?”

Enzo sighs.

He delivers another hard spank and its sound echoes around the room. I hiss and he doesn’t let me recover before delivering another one on the other side. My ass burns and I’m sure it's red already, and Enzo won’t ease this.

“Manners, baby.”

“Thank you, Daddy.”

“Better.”

His palm circles my ass, and I exhale, enjoying it soothing the pain. It doesn’t last long. Enzo’s hand connects with my ass and I scream. He waits, and I catch my breath before thanking him again. He grunts and teases me, threatening to deliver a spank multiple times before finally sending another sharp, severe burst of pain through me.

“Thank you, Daddy.”

“We’re not done, baby,” he says, his tone laced with arousal. “Can you walk, or do you need me to carry you?”

“To where?” I ask.

The slap sounds out before I register my mistake, and another burst of pain sets my ass on fire.

“The table, Adriana.”

Enzo turns my head and shows me a table I swear wasn’t there earlier. The cuffs and chains attached make it fucking intimidating, and a thrill ripples through me. It’s laced with fear and a sense of self-preservation that screams this is fucking mental and I need to get the fuck out of here.

“Don’t make this worse for yourself,” he whispers, picking me up like I weigh nothing. “If you take your punishment like a good girl, I’ll let you come afterward.”

I whine, and he lowers me over the table. His hand holds my neck down and his weight holds my ass in position, while cuffs and chains fasten around me. I’m immobilized, waist bent, legs spread and collar fastened down.

“I’m going to count them out, baby, and you’ll thank me for this,” Enzo says, running his hand over my ass again. There’s something cold there too, something hard. He presses it into me as he drags it between my cheeks and holds it against my entrance. My pussy throbs more than my ass and he sniggers. Wickedly.

He pushes it inside me, and the sensation is exquisite. I’m full and whatever he’s placed inside me sends gentle waves of pleasure through me. This is designed to please, and I’m already moaning as my arousal builds.

“Don’t think I’m being kind, Adi,” Enzo says. “This will let me whip you harder and for longer. You won’t come until I allow it. It stays in and if you let it fall out, then I’ll be forced to start all over.”

Fuck.

That’s the game. Enough pleasure to prolong the pain and not enough to climax, and the torture of trying to hold something inside me as my body struggles to cope with the caning.

“Ready?”

I’m not. I’m not sure I’m going to be.

“Let’s find out, baby.”

He drags the whip up the inside of my thigh and I tremble, afraid this will be like before.

“Remember that you brought this on yourself.” He exhales. “One.”

The strike is hard and its sting burns hotter than any spank I’ve endured. It’s not the same as the beating Eva gave me, although there’s no pleasure in this. There’s control, there’s restraint. There’s enough to make this hurt, but no more, and I’m surprised to find myself relaxing now.

“You thought this would be like her?” Enzo asks.

I nod and the sting takes hold.

“Baby, I will never do that to you. I will push you and punish you. I will demand more than you think you can give, but I will never hurt you like that. Never. I may want more—crave more—but I will only ever take what you can give. I know precisely where the line is, Adriana.”

I nod and rest my head on the table.

“Good girl,” he says, calmly. “You’re doing so well for me, baby.” He pauses. “Two.”

The pain is intense and I close my eyes, letting it wash over me. There’s nothing pleasurable in this, although there is a kind of peace. I’m not sure what this is or where it came from—and perhaps it doesn’t matter—but the pain brings me the clarity I need. I’m calm and I’ve found acceptance. Of Enzo and what he’s doing. And of myself.

Enzo waits until I’ve thanked him before continuing, counting out strike after strike. My ass burns and Enzo moves to strike my thighs. The pain is even more severe and the sting even sharper. My screams grow louder and my skin starts to sweat as Enzo pushes me with the cane.

He rests the heel of his hand on the small of my back, pressing me onto the table. It’s hard and forceful but also comforting, and he waits until my rapid breathing eases before continuing.

“How do you feel?” he asks.

“How many are left?” I reply.

Enzo laughs low. “As many as necessary, baby. A number would make this far too easy. You’d know when this is over and you’d count it down.” His hand spanks my ass and I cry out. “Now, answer my question.”

“Sore.” I’m not lying. “Really sore.” I exhale. “It’s confusing. It isn’t bad afterward. It’s sort of…” My eyes dart around, trying to find the words my brain can’t seem to locate. “Clear maybe? There’s just this. You and me and nothing else.”

He grunts an acknowledgment.

“Who is in fucking charge, baby?”

“You are, Daddy.”

His hand runs over my hot thighs that burn and drip with sweat.

“Are you going to obey me now?”

“Yes, Daddy.”

“I fucking mean it,” he roars and for the first time, he sounds like he’s close to losing control. “Even though you’re a fucking Altair, Adriana. I cannot lose you. I will not lose you. So help me, I will teach you to obey me.”

“Yes, Daddy.”

“Adi, I’ve never been so fucking terrified. I fucking mean it. You’ve got to fucking obey me. For your own fucking good. Do you fucking understand?”

“I do…”

“Good,” he says. “Good girl. I will be firmer from now on. For your own good. We will be back here again if you don’t. I fucking mean it.”

“Yes, Daddy.”

His hand rubs over my ass, and it dips between my legs. My arousal soars and it’s a sharp contrast to the pain he inflicted moments ago. I moan quietly as the sound of his fingers playing in my wetness grows louder.

“Shall we move on to something more pleasurable?”

I moan as his thumb rubs my clit.

“I’ll take that as a yes, baby girl,” he says, dipping his fingers into my pussy and pulling out whatever it was he placed inside it. “Stay still. I’m not going to be gentle.”

My clit throbs and my pussy clenches. My ass stings from the caning and it burns even hotter now there’s more blood flowing through it. I try to move and can’t, still held by the restraints. Still bound to the table.

“I said don’t move,” Enzo growls, running the head of his cock over me.

It’s impossible and the sensation is more than I can bear. My clit’s sensitive and my hips roll every time he catches it. I’m lost in him and whatever he’s giving me, desperate for the relief from the excruciating agony of waiting and not getting what I want.

“So responsive,” he sighs. “Do we need Daddy’s cock?”

I nod frantically.

“Then ask nicely.”

I’m so far past thinking about protesting that I obey instantly.

“Please, Daddy. I need you to fuck me. I’ll be a good little slut for you.”

“Better,” he rasps.

His cock teases my entrance and I beg shamelessly, incoherently. I’ve lost my mind, and all I know is the pleasure pulsing through me and the desire I’m craving. My body’s on fire and my pussy spasms, desperate for him to be inside me. I need the connection. I need to be close to him. I need the fucking release the pain of him slamming into me will provide.

And he thrusts in hard. His hips connect with mine and the heat of pain and pleasure ignites in my core. I’m clinging to consciousness as Enzo overwhelms me and he doesn’t wait, fucking me harder and harder with every stroke.

His fingers grasp my ass and the pain drives me closer to climax. I’m already dangerously close, and Enzo knows it. His cock runs along my front wall and hits the perfect spot on every single thrust, and my moans and pleas grow louder and less coherent.

Enzo thrusts deeper and I scream, teetering on the verge of climax.

“Come for me, baby. Shatter on Daddy’s cock.”

My orgasm breaks me. My chest explodes and my heart gives up, too damn confused to know what hit it. There’s only pleasure and pain, only a flawless mix between heaven and hell. I scream his name over and over as Enzo fucks me through whatever this is and the intensity increases, shattering all my senses.

“I’m not done,” he snarls. “You’re going to take Daddy’s cock.”

His pace increases as my consciousness fades. My vision closes in as I see stars, and the burning in my chest pierces my soul. I’m barely breathing, clutching at air and Enzo persists, fucking me ruthlessly.

I scream and cry and moan and beg, ignoring anything other than the feel of him inside me. His cock pounds into me over and over and I’m so fucking high I don’t know what’s real anymore.

I sink onto the table, surrendering to the madness of oblivion, giving in to pleasure.

Enzo grunts and I’m vaguely aware of his breathing changing. His fingers dig in as his thrusts turn frantic and he roars as my pleasure increases again. He slams into me and I scream his name, shattering apart underneath him.

“Good. Fucking. Girl.”

His hot breath tickles the skin on my back as he breathes hard. Enzo withdraws and I feel the familiar trickle of his come down my legs.

“Fucking pretty girl,” he growls, lightly tapping my ass to rouse me from my delirium. “Let’s take care of you now.”

I nod and moan as he undoes the restraints, picking me up and carrying me towards the bathroom. His chest is warm and the perfect mix of soft and hard. It’s firm enough to hold me but comforting enough to soothe me, and I don’t want to be anywhere else.

I never want to be anywhere but in his arms.

My head drops onto his shoulder as the haziness increases and my daze starts to take hold.

“Don’t fall asleep, Adriana,” he says, laughing wickedly. “I’m going to wash you and put you back to bed—and then I’m going to fuck you again and again until you’re damn sure who you belong to.”