Chapter 16
“A nd?” I press, voice calm, betraying none of the adrenaline now rushing through my veins.
Mateo’s voice lowers, a subtle warning threaded in his words. “I have no desire to be caught in the crossfire between you two. Removing myself from your... ledger seemed wise.”
I nod slowly, considering his words. He isn’t wrong to be cautious. But I won’t let fear of Lorenzo unravel my enterprise. “I can assure you, Mateo, the situation with DeLuca will be contained. The Ledger always protects its own.”
Mateo shifts again, clearly uncomfortable. His eyes slip toward Sienna, as if weighing what to share in her presence.
She adjusts the hem of her dress casually, but there’s something deliberate in the way her fingertips trace down her thigh. Mateo’s focus zeroes in immediately, distracted by the subtle, calculated movement.
My irritation rises sharply.
“Was there more, Mateo?” I tap my finger on my knee twice, stopping myself but I couldn’t hold back the irritation in my tone that time.
He fumbles, words trailing off, eyes flicking briefly to me as if realizing he's been caught. Clearing his throat, he tries to continue. “Lucian, I appreciate your assurances, but?—”
Sienna’s gaze flicks toward me, sensing the shift in my mood. Her eyes hold mine steadily, softening slightly—a quiet reassurance. It’s okay. I read her easily, the unspoken words nearly audible.
She places her hand over mine with a soft squeeze before she rises gracefully.
I ignore the jolt that zap through me at the feel of her skin on mine.
Mateo tracks her every movement, unable to look away. My jaw clenches harder, but outwardly I remain utterly indifferent.
“Let me see if I can convince you, old friend.”
My fingers tap rhythmically on my knee, irritation pulsing beneath my skin as I launch into a few pre-planned incentives. Exclusive contracts at my most lucrative clubs, a higher kickback for first pick of the day’s selections, among other things.
Mateo owns a luxury food and wine distribution company. Having first selection of the freshest produce and fish of the day is very valuable to the high-end establishments I own.
But Mateo dips out of both ends.
His refrigerated trucks perfect front for smuggling weapons, designer drugs, or laundered cash and Lorenzo is one of his top clients.
However, he’s also been a long-time client of The Ledger. He prefers softer Companions. Quiet ones.
And right now, he’s not listening to a fucking word I say because he’s wholly engrossed in Sienna as she makes her way across the office to my espresso bar.
I run my tongue along my bottom lip, suddenly needing that burn to squash the annoyance boiling within me.
Mateo’s gaze lingers on the subtle sway of her hips as she moves with practiced ease. The way she stands at the counter. Her weight on one leg, the other shifted slightly out, accentuating the curve on her hip.
Possessiveness flares again, stronger this time.
I want to stand up and grab Mateo’s face between my fingers and force him to turn away from her. I want to tell him if I catch his eyes on her again, he’s going to lose them.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
This was my idea. I told her to do this and I’m not about to lose control over my own fucking assignment.
She returns a moment later, espresso cup delicately in hand. She bends at the waist more than needed, setting it before me silently.
Her eyes were locked onto me the entire time. A slight curve to her mouth as if the two of us are sharing a joke only we know.
She prepared it perfectly. She's paying attention—to everything.
But so am I.
Mateo’s eyes darken appreciatively, and I suppress a growl. This is how I wanted him to react.
He wants her.
So, I’ll show him exactly what doesn’t belong to him.
I straighten slowly, an idea forming—one that risks my control, but feels oddly satisfying in the moment. I reach for Sienna’s hip, gently tugging her into my lap.
She stiffens momentarily, surprise rippling through her body, but she settles quickly, gracefully crossing her stocking-clad leg over the other. Mateo’s eyes widen hungrily, fixated, exactly as I knew they would be.
And then my fingers brush along her thigh, tracing the delicate fabric, feeling the silkiness give way to smooth, bare skin.
Her breath catches so softly I almost miss it, but I don’t. The faintest shiver works through her body, barely visible, but I feel it beneath my palm—the quickening of her pulse, the subtle tension of her muscles beneath my touch.
Heat gathers low in my stomach in response, my body tightening sharply, a sudden rush of desire I hadn’t expected. My grip tightens fractionally, possessively, before I trace the line of her gartered stocking tenderly with the tip of my finger.
Her thigh shifts almost imperceptibly, pressing just slightly into my hand—a reflexive response she immediately tries to suppress.
But it’s too late.
I felt it. And now I can’t stop feeling it, my body responding against my will.
How easy it would be to kick Mateo out of my office and pull her tight ass onto my lap fully, straddling me. Letting me push this fucking dress up and squeeze my hands around both firm globes.
To rip her wet panties off and watch my cock slide into her sweet cunt.
And that is a dangerous fucking thought.
Mateo swallows audibly, his gaze locked on my hand resting against Sienna’s leg. Desire flares unmistakably in his eyes, and I know I’ve won.
Checkmate.
“So, Mateo,” I say calmly, taking a slow sip of the espresso. “Do you really want to leave The Ledger?”
He hesitates, eyes never leaving Sienna. His throat works, struggling to form a coherent response. “Perhaps,” he finally concedes softly, “we can reconsider.”
"Mateo rises from his seat slowly, clearly reluctant to leave, his gaze lingering on Sienna. He straightens his suit jacket, smoothing it down as if needing something to occupy his restless hands.
"I'll see you out," I say firmly, dismissing him.
Sienna immediately takes the cue, sliding gracefully off my lap.
Turning toward her, Mateo extends his hand, eyes locked onto her as if she were the prize he truly came here for.
“And your name is?”
Her answer is simple, controlled. "Sienna."
I hear the allure in it and stretch my neck to one side, alleviating some of the pressure within me as it cracks twice.
Mateo takes her hand and brings it to his lips, pressing a lingering kiss to her knuckles. She smiles coyly, the perfect Companion, her act flawless.
I motion Mateo toward the fucking door and he goes.
Sienna moves to stand at the side of my desk, composed, waiting silently, her posture impeccable. Mateo spares her one last lingering glance before shaking my hand and I shut the door firmly behind him.
I pause, staring at the wood grain of the closed door, attempting to regain some semblance of self-control. I flex my fingers slowly, the impulse to spank her—to teach her exactly who’s in charge—so intense it borders on painful.
"Well?" Her voice breaks the silence, curious but edged with something else—impatience, maybe. "How did I do?"
I turn slowly, my gaze sharp, unyielding. Her confidence falters, just slightly, under my scrutiny.
"Turn around." My tone is cold, clipped. "Hands on the desk."
She blinks rapidly, shock giving way to irritation. "Excuse me?"
It grates on my nerves, that defiant spark. Every part of me wants to bend her over my desk, strip away that stubborn attitude.
"Turn around," I repeat, voice lethal in its softness. "Hands on the desk."
I watch as a flush spreads across her cheeks, her breathing quickening as realization sets in. Her pupils dilate, betraying the surge of desire she tries to conceal.
Good.
Let her feel the danger of her own game.
Slowly, deliberately, she obeys—though her compliance is minimal. Her fingers barely touch the edge of the desk, her legs pressed tightly together.
That won’t do.
I step close, just behind her, feeling the warmth radiating from her skin. I run both hands down her shoulders, over her arms, all the way down to her wrists, feeling her shudder beneath my touch.
Without hesitation, I adjust her stance, spreading her palms flat against the wood, pushing them farther apart until she’s exactly where I want her.
“Why did he change his mind, Sienna?” My voice is a dangerous murmur against her ear.
She visibly trembles, her breath hitching audibly. “I—I don’t know,” she whispers, nearly breathless.
Lies. And we both know it.
I nudge her feet wider apart with my own, the sudden movement drawing a gasp from her lips.
“I think you do know.” My hands slide deliberately down the length of her spine, savoring the subtle way she arches into my touch. The silent defiance of that movement alone deserves punishment.
But not yet.
Grasping her hips firmly, I pull her back, aligning her body precisely how I want it, every curve pressed intimately against me. She inhales sharply, the sound going straight to my cock, threatening my already tenuous control.
"Tell me," I demand softly, my voice edged with the promise of retribution. "Why did he reconsider?"
She swallows audibly, her voice a heated whisper. “Because he saw something he wanted."
My fingers tighten possessively, satisfaction burning fiercely in my chest. “Exactly. And do you know why he couldn’t have it?”
She hesitates, breathing heavily, desire and defiance warring within her. “Why?”
I lean closer, my lips brushing her hair. "Because it already belongs to me.”
"Desire doesn’t live in what you give your contract—it lives in what they didn’t know they wanted until you offered it," I whisper quietly against her ear. "You made him desire you. How?"
My hand moves deliberately down the curve of her ass, slipping beneath the hem of her dress, tracing the line of her stocking where it ends on her thigh.
Her breathing is heavy, nervous yet unmistakably excited. She licks her lips before answering softly, "He wanted to be you."
A swell of pride mixes with my possessiveness. "Very good," I murmur approvingly before stepping back.
She moves as if to straighten up. "Don't move," I command sharply.
I retrieve my espresso, moving behind her to lean casually against the coffee bar, observing her. "Not only did you control the room with just your presence, but you anticipated what would change his mind. He thought, if he stayed, he might become me—with you sitting on his lap."
Her back straightens slightly at the praise, but I’m not finished.
“But even though you did well, you still failed."
She jolts, nearly standing upright. "Ah uh. Stay put.”
Frustration and embarrassment flash across her face, but she returns to position—legs apart, palms flat, hips pushed out. My hand clenches inside my pocket, restraining myself from touching her again.
"I said not to say a word to him the entire time. You told him your name."
She opens her mouth to protest, but I silence her swiftly. "Not a word means exactly that."
The silence hangs heavily between us. Her fingers flex impatiently against the desk, waiting for correction she undeniably craves.
She can’t sit still. Anticipating what may come next. Scared of it. Wanting it.
I glance at my watch. “Three minutes are up. You’re dismissed for the day."
She bolts upright, nearly stomping out before I call her back. "And Sienna?"
She pauses, fists clenched, turning slowly with fire in her eyes.
Her thighs press together subtly, and satisfaction curls through me. Let her ache. Let her wonder what would’ve happened if she disobeyed—or if I’d followed through.
"Don't be late again."
She storms out without another word.
* * *
H ours later, I stand alone in my office, adjusting the cuffs of my shirt and looking at the busy city as the sun sets and New York comes to life for the nighttime. A veil of darkness draping over the city that begs for its citizens to come explore it.
Sienna’s perfume still lingers, intoxicating and tempting.
I can’t get the feel of her out of my mind, and I need to fucking do something about it.
I’ve killed men for breaking my laws and here I am, a fucking hypocrite putting my hands on my own merchandise and loving it. Fucking wanting more of it.
But I’m starting to not care.
I’m starting to want to rewrite those fucking laws so I can have what I want.
She pushes me, challenges me in ways no other Ledger girl has dared. And fuck if I don't want to rise to every single challenge she throws my way—to teach her, correct her, and bend her to my will.
She’s going to test every boundary I have. And when she finally breaks one… a slow smirk crosses my lips as I unlock my phone and open the Ledger app.
...I’ll make her beg for the consequences.
I navigate to the new tracker page. The chip buried under the polish of Sienna’s freshly manicured nails is working. The marker is stationary and blinking inside an apartment building about thirty minutes from here.
My smirk widens to a grin as I look at the route she took home. Careful to go up and down cross streets, Sienna spelled out two letters clearly with the path she took:
"F" and "U."
I chuckle darkly.
“Oh, I'm going to enjoy taming the brat out of you, little rabbit.”