AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My jaw clenches dangerously.
“I’m not asking.”
“This is insane.” She opens her arms, the lapels of her trench coat pulling wider from her chest. “This is you having me move in. Isn’t that a bit over the top for a woman who’s worth nothing but a few hardcore fucks?”
I step closer, my stare unwavering.
“If you and I are going to be equal partners in Joseph’s business soon, then we’re tied to each other anyway.” I stop, towering over her. “That also involves a serious amount of trust–which, as I’m sure you’ll agree, doesn’t yet exist between us. I went into business with you faster than I have with anyone else before, wild flame, and I did that because I know you’re brilliant, and you kick ass in business when there’s no macho husband around to drain the purpose out of you. But you’re also unpredictable and volatile. So, in order to balance out the risk I took, I’ll have to keep a close eye on you at all times. And what better way to do that than this?”
Her eyes search mine for something that seems to thoroughly puzzle her, her voice dropping to a whisper. “But this is crazy. You’re asking a woman you’ve only known for three days to move in with you, Zayne.”
I shrug. “There are other ways to keep you under my control, but you wouldn’t like any of them.”
My face hardens into a steel mask, making it clear this isn’t open for debate. She can argue all she wants, scream if it makes her feel better, but nothing will change my decision. I just can’t have her out there, making other men feel the way I feel right now.
If I’m the only psycho she’s got chasing her at the moment, it’s only because she never let anyone get this close since Joseph. But I know the guy whose face she used at The Rite is still in rapture when he gets drunk and tells the story. A murderous instinct fires up inside me every time I think about it.
With an exasperated sigh, she drops onto the sofa, crossing her arms over her trench coat. She’s not comfortable removing it. Not comfortable with my closeness. A man clearing his throat draws my attention, making me realize I’ve been staring at her too intensely.
Priest has entered the penthouse like a breeze, as he usually does. But he doesn’t usually catch me off guard. It’s all over his face–the reproach.
“Mariana will help you settle in,” I tell Sirenna while starting towards Priest. Her head whips to me, her eyes wide as saucers.
“Who is Mariana?” There’s a tiny shriek in her voice.
“A lovely lady, I’m sure you’ll get along. Make yourself at home.”
With that, I usher Priest down the back hallway into the study.
“The girl is distracting you,” Priest states once the study door closes behind him.
I only look at him again after I’ve picked up the secure tablet he came for, and hand it over.
“All the information you need is in here,” I say flatly.
He takes it from my hand without looking down. Those penetrating eyes remain on mine, expecting an answer. It’s his job to always know what I’m thinking. He’s a dark angel always hovering over a bloodhound, ensuring he stays on task. Stays focused.
“Is it now?” He keeps staring. Waiting.
Silence crackles between us. The Order paired me with Priest because we made a good team, and our energy matched. We have similar hard edges, similar strengths, but we’re different types of monsters.
Priest is a brute behind the camouflage of a pretty face. A heartless demon disguised as an angel. He’s been trained to resist all the allure of the material world and, even though he’s filthy rich, he never shows it. He’s accumulated wealth because he understands how human weakness works and knows how to exploit it. Our pasts fucked us up in different ways, and even though his looks and unattainable air attract women like moths to a flame, he rarely does more than fuck their faces in a side alley. Even so, they always come back for more.
“You should get going,” I say, turning away from him. “The sooner we get this over with, the better.”
He catches my arm.
“Is it, though? Better?”
My teeth grind as I keep facing away from him.
“The girl holds sway over you,” he concludes like a judge who’s seen enough. “No one ever held sway on you. The Order can’t have that.”
“She moved into the penthouse, and she will remain under my control. The Order has nothing to fear.”
His grip hardens on my arm, but his fingers only bite into granite.
“Don’t make me punch you in the face, Priest,” I hiss with the calm of a viper.
