21 – A Deal with the Devil
21 – A Deal with the Devil
Ellie’s POV
I should have been relieved. Excited, even. Adrien was holding up his end of the contract, promising to fund my business.
But relief wasn’t what I felt.
Not when he looked at me like that.
Like he owned me.
His words still echoed in my head.
You already react to me.
He was wrong. Wasn’t he?
I straightened my shoulders, forcing my voice to stay even. “You’re serious?”
Adrien swirled the whiskey in his glass, watching me over the rim. “I don’t waste my time on things I don’t intend to see through.”
There was a weight to his words, an unspoken warning. He wasn’t just talking about my business.
I ignored the way my stomach twisted. “Fine. Then I want to be involved in every step. I won’t just sit back and let you make the decisions for me.”
One dark brow lifted. “You think I’d let you put my money into something I don’t approve of?”
I exhaled sharply. “It’s my business, Adrien.”
He took a slow sip, his lips curling at the rim of the glass. “And my investment.”
God, he was infuriating.
I folded my arms. “If you’re expecting me to grovel in gratitude—”
He set the glass down with a quiet clink. “I expect you to be smart enough not to challenge me on every damn thing, Ellie.”
There it was again. That slow, taunting smirk. He liked pushing me, seeing how far I’d go before I broke.
But I wasn’t going to break.
“I’m choosing the designs, the branding, the launch,” I said firmly. “You can fund it, but you don’t control it.”
Adrien stepped closer, the scent of whiskey and something darkly masculine surrounding me. “I don’t think you understand, little lamb.”
A shiver ran through me at the nickname.
“I control everything I put my hands on.”
His fingers ghosted along my wrist, sending a dangerous thrill through me. I yanked my hand away, hating the way my pulse betrayed me.
“I’ll prove you wrong.”
Adrien’s smirk deepened. “We’ll see.”
\--------------------
The next morning, Lucien arrived at the penthouse, casually tossing a thick folder onto the table.
“The legal paperwork for Ellie’s business,” he announced. “You now officially have a company under Adrien’s name. Try not to run it into the ground.”
I rolled my eyes. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
Lucien just smirked, his fangs peeking out. “I’m just saying—”
“I think we’ve heard enough from you,” Adrien cut in smoothly, not looking up from his laptop. “Did you find the location I asked for?”
Lucien’s smirk faltered. “Yeah, but you’re not gonna like it.”
Adrien finally looked up, his eyes flashing with warning. “Try me.”
Lucien sighed. “The place you wanted? It’s owned by Liam.”
Silence. Liam? How?
The air shifted, thick with something dark and dangerous.
Adrien leaned back in his chair, expression unreadable. “Of course it is.”
Lucien ran a hand through his hair. “You could pick somewhere else—”
“No,” Adrien said simply.
Lucien exhaled. “Adrien—”
“Set up a meeting.”
I frowned. “With Liam?”
Adrien’s gaze flickered to me. “Did I stutter?”
Lucien sighed but nodded. “Fine. I’ll arrange it.”
I had no idea what kind of history Adrien and Liam had, but I could feel it now. A rivalry. A battle neither was willing to lose.
And somehow, I was caught in the middle of it.
\----------------
The meeting was set for that evening, and I quickly realized this wasn’t just business for Adrien.
It was personal.
We arrived at an exclusive club Liam owned, one of those sleek, dimly lit places where power dripped from the walls.
Liam was already waiting for us in a private lounge, his dark gaze sweeping over me before landing on Adrien.
“Well, well,” Liam mused, sipping his drink. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
Adrien didn’t bother with pleasantries. “The building on Lexington. I want it.”
Liam’s lips twitched. “Do you?”
Adrien’s jaw flexed. “Name your price.”
Liam’s gaze flickered to me again. He didn’t say anything, but I saw the shift in his expression.
He wasn’t just playing games with Adrien.
He was playing games with me.
And for some reason, that made Adrien tense beside me.
I just sat there, lost in thoughts, because I couldn't seem to wrap my fingers around it. How did he get so wealthy overnight and why was he acting so different?
Liam set his drink down and leaned forward slightly. “Some things,” he said slowly, voice smooth as silk, “can’t be bought.”
Adrien’s fingers curled into fists. “Try me.”
Liam smirked, clearly enjoying this. “I’ll think about it.”
Adrien’s eyes darkened. Predatory. Dangerous.
But he didn’t push. Not yet.
Instead, he reached for his drink, his movements slow and deliberate. “Take your time, Liam. But remember—there’s always a cost for crossing me.”
Liam’s smirk widened. “I’d expect nothing less.”
The air between them crackled. Two kings on a chessboard, waiting for the other to make a move.
I had no idea what I’d just walked into.
But one thing was clear.
This wasn’t just about business.
And before it was over, someone was going to bleed.