Sweetly Unhinged (Devoted In Darkness #1)

Chapter 1

Chapter One

VIOLET

Breathing deep, I dive back into the mountain of work. It’s lunchtime, and I should be enjoying a nice meal with Lia, but unlike my boss, I prefer not having to work after hours.

The entire office floor is quiet as I study the numbers of the latest polls and start making notes.

As the office door opens, a queasiness settles in the pit of my stomach, and I press save on the file I’ve got open on the split screen and grip my pen tight.

A stench of something spicy and almost moldy fills the air. It’s too strong, and it turns my stomach.

I keep my head down and keep making notes, my fingers biting into the pen.

Fingers stroke through my hair, making everything in me shut down. “You’re such a pretty little thing, Violet. So pretty.”

Isaac Stengal. My boss.

He might be handsome, tall, strong, the kind of man who has the ladies all swooning and voting for him, and I might appreciate his ideologies…mostly.

Him? Not so much.

But I need this internship if I’m to have any shot at finishing my Master’s degree and then getting accepted into the PhD program, too.

I want to become a political analyst, or even an advisor, so I need to take the asswipes in my stride.

Isaac isn’t the first, he won’t be the last, but this internship is pivotal to my future, so I suck it up.

“Can I get you something, Mr. Stengal?”

“Sure can. There’s a book on my desk, can you get it?” His words ooze like oil, coating my skin.

Clamping down on my retort, I push back my chair, but he moves, sliding in front of me and setting his legs on either side of me.

I grip the seat. “Sir?”

“Stay. I changed my mind.” He gives me his movie-star smile.

It makes my skin crawl.

Isaac sets his hands on his thighs. “You can come closer.”

“Closer?”

“Of course.” His hand slides over his dick. Not overtly, but clearly enough to give me an idea of what he wants me to do.

Though this isn’t the first time he’s tried, I have no more desire to move than any of the other times.

Unfortunately, this is the first time that we’re properly alone.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Stengal. I really have to get this done. I’m doing my best to help you win your next election.”

“And will I?” His smile takes on a smarmy edge as he pulls my rolling chair forward.

No. And even less chance if it was up to me alone. But I swallow my snark. “You have a good chance. Better still if you get out there and—”

“You know, Violet, I’ve been in this game way longer than you. I’m a man with experience and knowledge, and I think once you get with how the world really works, you’ll go far.”

He captures my face and leans in.

Oh god, he’s not going to kiss me, is he? Oh, no, no, no…

He breathes on me.

I want to gag, but I stay very still.

His smile broadens. “You could start by putting this hot little mouth to work. Wrap those lips around my cock.”

His hand drops to his zipper as he stands straighter.

I jerk to my feet, chair flying back, wielding my pen like a weapon. “Mr. Stengal. Isaac, let me be very clear. You’ve hit on me before, and I’ve been polite, but this time?” I glare. “No.”

“Great.” He lowers his zip.

“I’m not interested in you in any way other than a professional one. I’m here to learn and help you win your next election.”

“I know what this is. You want to fuck too, right? I don’t usually fuck an intern unless she’s really good, but maybe I’ll make an exception. Most of the staff take the afternoon off this early in the campaign cycle, so we have time…”

God, no.

I could throw up, but he might see me bending over, emptying my stomach, as me getting into position.

When he steps closer, I slash his white shirt with my pen.

He shrieks.

I scuttle back, out of his reach.

His face goes an unnatural shade of red. “Do you know how much this shirt cost?”

“Two thousand, plus tax. You sent me to pick it up from the store and pay for it with your card.” I take a breath, keeping distance between us.

“I’ll say it in a way you might understand.

I will not touch you. I will not let you touch me.

And if you even think of firing me for this, I’ll take this to the press.

But not before filing a lawsuit. My father’s one of the best litigators in town. ”

My father’s dead, but Isaac’s so self-absorbed I bet he looked at two things on my CV. My photo and whether I’m of age.

“So, how about we both forget this little exchange ever happened, and you let me do what I’m here to do? Because if you try this again, I’ll make sure you spend the next six months drinking your meals from a straw in your prison cell. What do you say?”

He looks at me for the longest time. “You passed the test.”

And with that, he stalks out, and I collapse back in my chair, my head spinning and tremors rocking me.

His office door shuts with a definite click. Not quite a slam, but a statement.

I can’t be here, not alone with him just beyond that door.

Without another thought, I text Lia, then pack my things and head out.

I don’t usually drink during daytime hours, but today, I make an exception.

As I reach McGuires, I head to the corner bar spot, where no one’s going to bother me. Not even Barry, the bartender.

That’s the beauty of this little greasy hole in the wall. No one sticks their nose in your business.

After ordering a glass of red, I open my computer and get to work.

I’m deep into it when Lia plants herself next to me.

“Day drinking, Vi? What’s next, shooting up in alleyways? I can get behind it, though. The day drinking, not the drugs. It’s a thing, you know?”

I roll my eyes and put on my best smile. “Burgers?”

“Always burgers.” She hooks a thumb at my computer. “Day drinking and working from a bar? Pure class.”

“I live to please.”

Her eyes narrow as I save my work and pack up, sliding my computer and papers away. “What’s up?”

She knows me too well. “That asshole.”

“The hot, blond asshole you work for?”

“That’s the one.”

“What did he do? Try and make out with you?”

“Nope.”

Lia’s like a starving dog with a big juicy bone. She’s not about to let it go. “He tried something again, didn’t he? I’m right. Am I right? I know I’m right.”

“I handled it. Just decided to take the afternoon.” I point to my wine. “Are you getting one? It’s good.”

“Don’t distract me with booze.”

The bartender comes up, and she offers him her biggest smile. “Two more glasses of wine, two cheeseburgers, medium, and a huge basket of fries.”

He scoffs. “It comes with fries.”

Her smile drops a degree or three. “Extra fries. A basket, Barry.”

“Of course, Lia.” He shakes his head and heads off.

She slaps her hand on the bar as Elton John bangs out over the speakers. “What did he do this time?”

“It’s not that bad.”

“I bet.” She snatches up her wine when it appears and drinks a big mouthful. “I’m sick of creeps like him thinking they own women. I bet he offered to lower himself to fuck you or offered up his dick for you to blow like it was the second coming of Christ.”

I keep quiet.

“You need to tell HR.”

“It’s not a big deal, really. And you know there’s no real HR, not in the way you mean.”

“There’s still someone you can complain to.”

“Lia—”

“Or alert the media. Hold a conference. Do something! I mean, come on, the dude’s a politician. He’s rich, has power, and who knows how many other girls he’s done this to!”

“Lia, please—”

“The public has a right to know who they’re voting for.”

I put my hand on her arm. “Use your quiet inside voice. Besides, I’m handling it.”

“Leave.”

Of course, she’d say that. She isn’t scraping by with scholarships. Her family has money. And when she graduates, she’ll go into the family law business.

But I’m not her. I don’t have family. I don’t have money.

All I have is my brain and my drive and determination to be someone, to make a name for myself, and this is it.

I’m on that path. I graduated early and now, when I get my Master’s, I’ll go for my PhD.

It’ll open doors and set me apart. It’ll boost my future.

I’m not fucking it up by being known as a whistleblower on harassment.

It sucks, but it is how it is.

When I get somewhere, establish myself, I’ll do what I can for those who come after me. But until then…

“Leaving isn’t an option. I need this internship.

He’s being touted as one day running for president, and like him or not on a personal level, he’s got a real chance.

I stick with this and do well, and I’ve got a real chance.

Both for my PhD candidacy and my future.

It’s what’ll set me apart from the hundreds of other students completing their political science degrees this year.

Both in the Bachelor’s and the Master’s programs. And you know it. ”

Barry sets down two paper placemats, the basket, ketchup, vinegar and mayo. And two sets of wrapped cutlery. “Fries in a basket and the burgers are coming. Aqua?”

Lia laughs. “The finest from your faucet.”

“The drinks gun, you mean?”

“Pedant.” She sticks her tongue out at him.

He returns with the water and while I’m not overly hungry, the fries smell damn good, and I help myself to one.

Lia leans into me, chomping down on a few fries. “You know… If you refuse to leave, you at least need to make sure it doesn’t happen again. And…” Her eyes sparkle with mischief, “I’ve got just the plan.”

I groan. “Why do I feel like I should be concerned? What is this plan?”

But she waves me off. “The less you know the better.”

“Lia—”

“Now, on to other important stuff.” She pins me with a stare. “Have you ended things with the black hole that sucks all the joy from you, yet?”

“Lia.” I finish my first glass of wine, eat another fry, and take a swallow of my second glass.

“Jack. In case it wasn’t clear, I’m talking about Jack.”

I groan. “That’s really not that simple.”

“Um… It is. Wanna know how? Like this, ‘Hi, Jack, it’s over, call me never.’ There. Easy.”

“We’ve been together three years.” I eat another fry, and Lia takes another handful.

I’m not really hungry, but I know I need to eat. More often than not, I hardly have time for lunch, and then I get home, too exhausted to even think about food.

I’ve lost weight, and I really can’t lose any more.

“Vi, it hasn’t been working for at least two of them, if you ask me.”

“It’s not—”

“Let’s just say a long time.” Lia claps with glee as the burgers arrive.

Barry helps himself to a couple of fries, and her eyes narrow. “If you want to keep your fingers, don’t touch.”

He reaches for her plate again, steals another, then heads off to serve a customer at the other end of the bar.

She smiles and shakes her head before turning to me, a bit more serious. “We both know you need to end it.”

“You’re right. But it’s not that simple, like I said. I can’t seem to bring myself to end things.”

Lia snorts. “Nope, it is simple, and we both know it.” She starts ticking points off on her fingers. “He’s selfish, he’s lazy. If he could be bothered, I’d bet he’d cheat, only it’s too much effort.”

I don’t think that one’s fair. I don’t think Jack would cheat. Which makes it all so much worse.

But Lia’s not finished.

“He’s also the most self-absorbed person I’ve ever met, and he’s got the personality of a dead fish. Maybe he’s saving something just for you, but I don’t know. Dead. Fish.”

I should at least try to be loyal and argue her point, and I’m thinking about what I could say when my phone starts to buzz.

“Ha!” Before I can grab it, Lia snatches my phone as Jack’s name flashes on the screen. “I’ll prove it.”

“Give me my phone.”

“No. I’ll bet you ten bucks Jack can’t tell your voice from mine, Vi.”

Now I roll my eyes. “Of course, he can.”

“So, it’s a bet?”

I can’t help but smile as I nod. And Lia answers my phone.

“Hellooo,” the high-pitched voice she uses sounds nothing like me as she sets the phone down, hitting speaker. “This is Violet.”

“Hey, babe, what are you doing?”

“Jacksie poo, is that you? I miss you, squish-face, my man doll of love.”

I gape at her and clap my hand over my mouth.

“Good, good.” He’s clearly not paying a lick of attention. “Are you coming home soon? Can you get me that double choc fudge butterscotch and mallow ice cream I like?”

“Of course, love bug, I love you. Do you love me?” Her tone gets more screechy and annoying by the second.

“Cool, thanks, babe. Better get two tubs.” He hangs up.

She points at the phone, mouth curved smugly. “If that’s not proof this relationship needs to end, I don’t know what is.”

My heart plummets and I sigh. “Fine. I’ll do it. The timing needs to be right, that’s all.”

“But—”

“Lia. Please, can we change the subject? That was humiliating.”

“For him.”

Yeah, but I shake my head. “For me, too.”

She nods and takes a couple of bites of her burger.

I push mine around the plate, having lost my appetite.

“Did you hear about The Ghost’s latest victim?”

My senses start to tingle.

I’m kind of obsessed with the mysterious hacker everyone’s dubbed The Ghost. “This is a conversation I can get behind.”

She grins. “He’s targeted a married headmaster of a local private school. Apparently, the jerk had an affair with a barely legal ex-student. He outed the guy, and now everyone’s talking about it.”

There are no bounds to The Ghost’s abilities.

“That private school is as tight as the White House, but he got in and sent the transcripts of a very inappropriate text exchange to every student’s parents.”

My chest warms as if it were my own feat. “How bad?”

“Juicer than the most salacious reality TV show. Here…” She pulls it all up on her phone, and I skim it.

We both love The Ghost and his escapades.

So much so that we once tried to track him down. We tried all we could think about, but it proved to be an impossible task. He is, in essence, a ghost.

No one knows who he is. There are conspiracy theories, boards dedicated to him all over the web.

I cringe as I go through all The Ghost uncovered. “Oh, my God. What a creep this guy is. The Ghost’s like the Robin Hood of truth.”

She laughs.

“You know what I mean. The way he exposes people abusing their positions of power is so hot, though, right?” I let out a dreamy sigh.

Lia nods. “Totally. Bet he’s sexy, too.”

“Nobody can be that mysterious and not be off the charts hot.”

There is no way for us to know that, but in my head, he’s gorgeous. There’s just something darkly brutal and elegant about his work.

Plus, he’s beyond clever.

I sigh again.

Lia playfully nudges me. “He’d definitely be a step up from Dead Fish Jack.”

I roll my eyes because even if I want it to, it’s never going to happen.

But she is right about one thing.

I need to end things with Jack.