Emily
The sun has barely risen when I open my eyes, breath still short, my body numb from Adrian's warmth. My face is pressed against his bare chest, his arm tightly wrapped around my waist.
I remain still, my gaze lost in the fine scars tracing his golden skin. They tell a story I have yet to hear. A story he keeps buried behind his dark eyes.
— Are you going to keep looking at me for a long time? he murmurs in a deep, husky voice.
I flinch slightly, looking up at him. His eyelids are half-closed, but the smirk on his face betrays his amusement.
— You were sleeping, I whisper.
— I always sleep with one eye open.
He brushes my cheek with his fingertips, his thumb tracing a light line down to my lower lip.
— You should rest, I murmur.
— I can't, he replies. Not when you're here.
A shiver runs through me as his gaze darkens. He looks beautiful in the pale morning light, his tousled hair, his bare chest taut under my hand.
— Adrian...
He pulls me against him, his lips grazing my neck.
— What?
I close my eyes.
— We can't keep going like this.
He freezes, his breath heavy against my skin.
— Do you regret it?
I open my eyes and look him straight in the eye.
— No. Never.
A fierce smile lights up his face.
— Then what's the problem?
I gently pull away, sitting on the edge of the bed.
— Victorio.
His smile instantly fades.
— That bastard...
— He won't stop. You know that.
— He will never lay a hand on you again, Adrian growls as he sits up.
— You can't control him, Adrian. He is...
— Dangerous? he scoffs.
I nod.
— He knows something. He told me that you were hiding things from me.
Adrian's expression darkens.
— He manipulated you.
— Maybe. But that doesn't change the fact that I feel like there's something you're not telling me.
He runs a hand through his hair, his jaw tightening.
— Emily...
— What?! I say, my voice trembling.
— If I tell you the truth, you might never look at me the same way again.
My heart skips a beat.
— Is it that serious?
He stands up, walking towards the window, his fists clenched.
— You don't understand what you've gotten into by getting close to me.
— Then explain it to me! I say, rising, anger rising in my voice.
He turns to me, his dark gaze piercing my soul.
— Victorio isn't the only monster in this city, Emily.
— Do you consider yourself a monster? I whisper.
He approaches slowly, his gaze burning.
— What I've done... what I'm capable of doing... yes.
— And yet, I'm still here, I say in a trembling voice.
He places a hand on my neck, his forehead against mine.
— You don't understand. If you stay with me, you will never be safe again.
I place a hand on his cheek, caressing his rough skin.
— Maybe safety isn't what I'm looking for.
His breath quickens.
— You're crazy, he murmurs against my lips.
— Yes, and that won't change.
He kisses me then, with an almost desperate urgency. His hands slide down my back, pressing me against him. My fingers tangle in his hair, my heart racing.
I am his.
Completely his.
Suddenly, a ringtone blares, breaking the intensity of the moment. Adrian freezes, his expression darkening. He answers his phone.
— What? he growls.
A tense silence falls as Adrian's face goes completely cold.
— I'm coming.
He hangs up, turning to me with a frosty expression.
— What's going on? I ask, breathless.
— Victorio. He just struck again.
— What?
Adrian quickly puts on a shirt, his movements abrupt.
— He attacked one of my warehouses. He wants an open war.
— But why?
— He thinks I'm weakened... because he believes you are my weakness.
I stand up, my heart pounding.
— So what do we do?
Adrian approaches me, grabbing my chin between his fingers.
— We play his game. But on our terms.
I slowly nod.
— I'm with you.
A dark gleam crosses his eyes.
— Always?
— Always.
He kisses me one last time before turning away.
— Get ready. Tonight is going to be long.
---
Later that evening, I am sitting in the back of a black car speeding through the night. Adrian is sitting next to me, his gaze fixed on the road.
— Where are we going? I ask.
— Victorio is throwing a party tonight. He wants to provoke me in front of everyone.
— What are you going to do?
He turns his head towards me, his dark gaze serious.
— Let him think I've lost.
— You want him to believe you are weak?
— Yes. So he lowers his guard.
I bite my lip.
— And me?
Adrian slides a hand onto my bare thigh, his gaze burning.
— You are going to play the perfect role of the weak and submissive woman.
— Really? I ask, raising an eyebrow.
His smile is predatory.
— No. You're going to seduce him.
— Are you kidding?
— He wants to possess you. Let him believe he has a chance.
A shiver runs through me.
— And then?
Adrian leans closer, his warm breath against my ear.
— After? I destroy him.
The car slows down. In front of us, a huge lit villa stands against the night. Guests in evening attire are flocking towards the entrance.
Adrian steps out of the car first, reaching a hand towards me.
— Ready? he asks.
I place my hand in his, my heart racing.
— Always.
He pulls me against him, his gaze shining in the night.
— Then let's go show them what we're worth.
He kisses me one last time before guiding me towards the entrance.
This time, we are the ones in control of the game.