Page 39 of A Deal in Darkness
Enzo steps forward and grabs my arm, harshly.
“Why aren't you wearing what I gave you?”
I blink and my lip trembles as his fingers dig into my arm.
“I am.”
His jaw ticks and Byron whistles low.
“Manners,” Enzo snarls.
“Sir.”
My response is instantaneous and laced with fear. I'm clearly pushing buttons, but I don't understand what's going on.
Enzo closes his eyes and pinches his nose, stepping back.
“Only the things I gave you, Adriana.” My face turns red and Enzo smirks. “Tonight is formal for you, baby. Turn around.”
I shake as I spin slowly and Enzo's hands guide me until I'm facing Byron. They grip my shoulders, firmly but not harshly, and I shake, certain of what's coming.
“This is Byron. He's here to meet you. We should do this properly, baby.”
He pulls the zip down in one fast movement and slips the dress from my shoulders. It falls to the floor and I'm left standing wearing a few black straps and some lace that claims to be a bodysuit.
My hands move to cover me, and Enzo grabs them, pulling them behind me.
“She's fucking stunning,” Byron says, not attempting to conceal the way his eyes wander over my body. “Her tits are fucking perfect. And her legs. And her ass. Will you share?”
Enzo growls, and I step back into him.
“She isn't ready,” Byron sighs. “It's a pity. When she is, or when you decide you want it, let me know. I assume we're eating something other than pussy, then?”
Enzo laughs, but it's a warning to both of us. Byron's interest isn't to Enzo's liking, and he's marking his territory. And it's a warning to me that the stakes have just risen and I need to be careful.
“Let's eat,” Enzo announces, releasing one of my hands and taking me by the other. He pulls out a bar stool and lifts me onto it, leaving Byron to take a seat while he fetches the wine.
“Red?” he asks the other demon.
“Sure,” Byron replies. “Are you going to tell me how you found her?”
Enzo slides a glass over to me and I drink, letting their conversation wash over me. I eat the food placed in front of me, ignore Byron's leering gaze, and drink slowly, pacing myself. The alcohol is numbing the agony of the evening, but I don't want to drink so much I get drunk.
“Baby?”
I lift my head and realize I've been watching my finger circle the rim of my wineglass. I've lost track of the conversation and now I don't know what to say or do.
“Sorry, I was thinking about something else for a moment.” I swallow. “Sir.”
Enzo sighs, exasperated. “I asked if you wanted to move to the sitting room?”
I nod, smile, and take his hand, using silence to avoid having to call him by his title.
He leads me to the sitting area, pulling me onto to the sofa. Enzo's careful and adjusts my position until I'm kneeling next to him, tucked in the space under his arm next to his body. He's showing me off as much as signaling I belong to him, and Byron stares, tilting his head as he follows my body down.
“Her ass is spectacular, Enzo.”
“It is,” he replies, trailing a finger down the center of my back.
