Page 7 of A Deal in Darkness
My chest tightens as my heart pounds against it, frantically pumping blood around my body, yet somehow my head feels light.
“What do you want, Enzo?”
He pulls his chair toward me as I lean in, taking a very large mouthful of wine. Enzo leans across me, grabbing the bottle and making sure my glass is full.
I need to slow down.
I need to keep a clear head.
I shouldn’t be downing my wine like I haven’t had a drink in days.
“The pleasure of your company,” he says.
The alcohol must be going to my head. I’m dizzy and the rest of the bar fades away as the only thing I can focus on is Enzo. His eyes darken, turning an even darker shade of brown, and flecks of scarlet and gold sparkle in his stunning irises. They’re captivating and they’re holding me in thrall, unable to escape his gaze—and I wouldn’t even want to try.
“Dinner, Enzo?”
He laughs gently. “More than dinner, Adriana. I’ll make you a deal. You can have anything you want—the job of yourdreams, the jewelry, the clothes, all the books you can read and more—and in return, you give me you.”
I blush and giggle, uncomfortable. His proposition is dangerous. I should be appalled. It’s despicable, but it’s enticing. He’s enticing. I’m excited in a way I haven’t been. Ever.
“This isn’t Faust.”
“Let’s hope not.” He laughs, dryly. “I recall that ending badly.”
“You can’t be serious?”
“Deadly,” Enzo says. “I can give you everything you want, everything you could ever want—and all I want in return is you.”
I laugh, wildly.
He draws back, unphased.
I take another drink and he reaches for his. His jaw tightens for a split second while he watches me, paying me the same attention that a predator gives their prey before they move in for the kill.
“You can’t seriously expect me to take you up on this?” My voice trails off at the end as I lose the courage of my conviction. “You haven’t told me what you want or for how long our deal would hold—and you’ve not even given me any proof you can do any of this.”
Enzo smirks and I realize I’ve told him I’m considering taking him up on his offer. His arm reaches over the back of his chair as he finishes his brandy, stretching it toward me to pick off a loose strand of hair.
“I’ll tell you what, Adriana,” he says, getting up and putting his jacket on. “If I get you a job offer, then we’ll consider the deal finalized.”
He turns and picks up his bag, leaving me staring at him as he walks away. Enzo hands the bag to Matt, turning to nod his head at me. He’s still amused, still smirking like an arrogant asshole who just got the prize he wanted—and the ripple of anger pulsing through me sets me on fire.
I stand and shake my head.
“You can’t really expect me to agree to this.”
“Are you telling me you don’t?”
My heart leaps into my mouth and time stands still. He’s offering me everything I could dream of, but the price is far higher than I’m willing to pay. I’d be insane to give him what he wants. I must have lost my mind because it seems so easy, so simple, so enticing.
He’s handsome, charming, and he’s kind. Funny too, with a dry, dark wit that makes me want to laugh out loud.
This is madness.
I’ve gone insane.
Because instead of telling him to take a running jump, I teeter on the edge of accepting this arrangement. Part of me screams this is dangerous, but the greater part of me is excited by it and the possibility of getting everything I want is too great an opportunity to pass up.
