She walks past me, and I close the door, shutting her in the lion’s den.
“Wine, Adriana?”
This time, she has the sense to decline. I extend my hand, offering to take her coat and her eyes narrow, suspicious of my gesture.
“There’s a cloakroom over there.”
She bolts into it and I grab my phone, messaging Byron with instructions to clear out her room in the flat share she’s been enduring. I doubt there’s much of any value, but she might have some sentimental items, and upsetting her will only make this harder.
Adriana won’t need the clothes for much longer. I’ll make sure her wardrobe is appropriate for when she’s outside—and inside—my loft. The open spaces won’t leave her many places to hide, and I intend to make damn sure she’s exposed.
Because it pleases me.
It lets me use her when I want, how I want.
Fuck, she’s been inside for seconds and I’m resisting the urge to haul her ass over the kitchen counters so I can pound her pussy until she begs me to stop.
“How did you do it?” she asks, nervously walking over.
I sit at the kitchen island, pouring myself a large glass of red wine. “I make things happen. I made this happen for you. It was a little inconvenient, but the reward is worth it.” I savor a mouthful of wine, noting it’s the same color as her bitten lips. “You’re worth it.”
“I’ve changed my mind.”
I smile. I’d expected this. “It’s too late, baby.”
“I’m not your…”
“You’re whatever I want you to be, Adriana. Our deal was simple. I get you. All of you.”
She swallows and her hand trembles. “You can’t expect me to…”
The angle of my eyebrow cuts her off.
“Enzo, this isn’t…” Her eyes dart around, searching for something to save her. “I’m going home.”
The muscles in my face tighten as Adriana defies me. I dislike disobedience, but I’ll grant her a little leeway for now. Just enough for her to feel safe. Not enough for her to get confused about who’s in charge.
“This is home.”
Adriana’s eyes meet mine and they’re flooded with panic. She steps back and I get up, calmly walking toward her. She’s holding my gaze, but only because the color of my eyes is changing, deepening as I use the darkness I was born from to hold her in my thrall.
“You made a deal, sweet girl. There’s no escaping the devil now.”
She pales and shakes her head, pleading for mercy.
“You are mine, Adriana. The sooner you accept that, the easier this will be. For you, more than me. I assure you, I have enough patience to endure whatever fight you want to put up—and I’ll enjoy every second as you struggle against me.”
Her foot edges back and my jaw ticks.
“You can’t keep me here.”
I nod. “I don’t want to. I want you to have that career you’re so desperate to have. You can go to work and even evenings out, with my permission, but you will return here. Every night.Unless I say otherwise. Don’t bother running. You’ll find I have the resources to track you down and the punishment will be unpleasant.”
Her defiance is impressive. Most crumble when I use the dark within me, but not Adriana. She’s holding my darkness back enough that I have to work for it, and the challenge has me more interested in her than ever.
I’m going to ruin her.
I’m going to fuck her until she knows she’s mine. Until she knows I own her.
