Page 36 of A Deal in Darkness
“If I ask you to do something, you do it, baby. Only speak if you're spoken to and don't disobey me.”
I turn my head and stare out the window, watching the boats sailing down the Thames. The tides govern their movements, but they have more freedom than I do. More freedom than I'll ever have now I agreed to this deal.
“Baby?”
My response is deliberately slow as I crane my head back to Enzo.
“I need your words. I need to know you understand my instructions.”
“Fine.”
His jaw ticks and his hands whiten as they grip the bedding. My bedding. My bedding that belongs to him.
“Adriana, I know this is hard for you, but behaving like a brat is not the way to go about making your feelings clear. I won't tolerate it and it'll be dangerous if you act like this in public. I've been generous until now. Don't make me regret it.”
There's no point fighting him.
Not when I can't win.
I cross my arms and huff, fidgeting as I come to terms with the bitter fact that I'm going to have to comply.
“This world doesn't work in the way you think it does, baby. I'm going to keep you safe, but you have to work with me on this. For your own good.”
My temper snaps. “How is any of this for my own good? In what way is fucking me repeatedly, whether I like it or not, for my own good?”
Enzo draws a slow, deep breath and has the composure of a quiet, angry man.
“First, you entered this arrangement freely. It's a shame you regret the consequences, but they are yours to bear, and I assure you that you will adjust. Second, you're too damn special for me to leave you alone and others would have been far less kind than me. My protection is valuable. Remember that before you piss me off.”
“Better the devil, you know?”
Enzo's eyes widen and I clamp my hands over my mouth, too late to stop it from running off with itself. He doesn't like chat back, especially not when he's already riled.
“That is one way to put it.” He tosses his head. “I'd prefer it if you appreciated everything I've done for you and showed me some fucking gratitude, but perhaps that is too much to ask.”
He's wounded.
His pride is damaged.
He's actually been hurt by an almost insignificant, offhand comment.
It's fascinating. It's more than interesting. It's a weakness that I might use to my advantage.
And it's worth ignoring my discomfort and giving him a little reassurance.
“I appreciate the softness. When you're softer.”
Enzo nods, and a faint smile threatens his lips.
“I'm unsure of everything else. It's going to take time.”
He tilts his head and stares like I'm a puzzle he's trying to solve. He blinks rapidly, and I wonder what he's thinking. What he's planning. How that will affect me.
“Time is not something we are short of, Adriana.”
His fingers curl and summon me over.
I walk over, and he places his hands over my hips.
