My mouth falls open as Enzo turns, grabbing my hand as he brushes past me. He pulls me behind him, ignoring my protests as he takes me downstairs. Every step makes my thighs scream in pain and any relief I’d got from the shower immediately melts away.
He drags me into the kitchen, pulling out a bar stool and lifting me onto it. I growl and he arches his eyebrow, warning me that my behavior isn’t doing me any favors.
“Coffee?”
“Tea.”
Enzo’s jaw tightens, and he glares, annoyed I’m being difficult.
“Coffee gives me palpitations.”
His face softens, and he grunts, making tea, now he’s certain I’m not testing him. “Any other problems or preferences I should know about?”
I shrug, shake my head and wonder why the hell he’s asking me. Enzo’s shown little regard for my wants and he’s made it clear he won’t abide by them in the future. I’m little more than a possession to him until he decides he’s had enough or something more exciting comes along.
“First rule, you will respect and serve me. In all things. In all ways.” He slides the mug of tea over the white marble countertop. “That means doing what I ask, when I ask, without hesitation.”
I wrap my hands around the mug, staring at the beige liquid and wishing I could drown in it.
“If you are unsure what is being asked of you, ask. You’re learning and I am not unreasonable.”
I scoff and he slurps his coffee viciously.
“You will keep yourself in the way I ask you to, Adriana. Always presentable. Always shaven.” He bangs his mug onto the counter unnecessarily hard to draw my attention. “You will take care of yourself and if you are not well, you will let me know.”
He opens a cupboard, pulls out a plate, and finds a pastry in another cupboard.
“Eat. You need it.”
I drink my tea and pull at the croissant, playing with the flakes. I’m not hungry. Food is the last thing on my mind and the thought of it almost makes me vomit. But when Enzo glares at me, I nibble on a bit to keep his temper at bay and it’s a relief.
Annoyingly, the man is right and I need the food.
“I don’t like liars. You communicate honestly with me. No secrets.”
My mouth opens and I snap it shut, deciding that reminding him I hate that goddamn nickname isn’t a good idea.
“This is your home now. Your things will arrive this afternoon. If you want to leave, you ask my permission, unless we have a standing agreement.” He drinks another mouthful ofhis coffee. “Like work. We’ll go through those job offers and you can pick one. Today.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
He smiles, and it's almost sad. “You sold your body and soul for it. I'd say it's worth a lot. I want you to have this.”
I don't see why.
It's not like it's of any benefit to him.
Unless I have to take a job. Unless that's needed to fulfil the deal.
My eyes flick to his, and he shakes his head.
“I'm afraid our deal was a job offer, not a job. Take it or leave it, you're still mine. Sorry, baby.”
I sigh and drink my tea, staring at the marble and tracing the pale grey patterns as they cut through the pure white background.
“From now on, I govern everything you do. I own you, Adriana and you'll get only what I give you.”
Enzo's eyes flash with excitement and I know he's imagining all the things he's going to subject me to. He moves towards me, and his sheer size is intimidating. He's so much bigger than me, so much stronger, that I wouldn't stand a chance against him.
