Chapter 127 A Pawn In His Game

Chapter 127 A Pawn In His Game
Ginnie

I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection.

Tonight was supposed to be nothing more than a simple dinner. But the thought of seeing Varkos made something tighten painfully inside my chest.

After everything that had happened between us, I didn't even know what I was supposed to feel when I saw him again.

I let out a shaky breath and reached for the earrings lying on the table. I slipped them into place and studied the woman staring back at me.

My thoughts were still chasing each other when a soft knock came from the door.

I turned toward the sound.

"Come in."

The door opened, and one of the maids stepped inside, holding a large black box with both hands. She walked toward me and held it out.

"My lady.” She lowered her head. “Mr. Adrian asked me to give this to you."

My eyebrows pulled together.

"Adrian?"

"Yes, ma'am."

My gaze dropped to the box.

"He didn't say what it was?"

"No, ma'am."

Without another word, I took it from her. It was heavier than I had expected.

"Thank you."

The maid bowed before walking away, the door clicking shut behind her. I slowly placed the box on the bed.

There was a small black ribbon wrapped around it. I pulled the ribbon loose and lifted the lid.

The moment my gaze landed on what was inside, every muscle in my body locked.

"What the hell..."

A black silk dress lay inside.

The neckline was dangerously low, the material clinging to every curve before falling into a slit that reached almost to my thigh.

I picked it up between two fingers. 

For several seconds, I simply stared at it, my brain struggling to understand why Adrain would send me something like this.

Why the hell would Adrian give me such a dress?

Before I could think of an answer, I grabbed the dress and marched out of my room. I didn't bother knocking when I reached his door.

Instead, I pushed it open and stormed inside. Adrian stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his shirt for tonight’s dinner.

I threw the dress onto his bed.

"What is this?"

His head snapped toward me.

For a brief moment, his eyes moved from my face to the dress. Then back to me.

"I want you to wear it."

A quiet laugh escaped me, but there was no trace of humor in it.

"You want me to wear that?!” My voice rose sharply. “Why would you send me something like this?"

Adrain’s expression remained completely calm as he walked toward the bed and picked up the dress. His fingers brushed over the fabric.

"Because Varkos and Kenna are coming over for dinner tonight.” He dropped the dress back onto the bed. “I’m sure you should already know what your assignment is.”

My body stiffened.

For a second, I said nothing. Then the pieces slowly began to fall into place.

The dress.

The dinner.

Varkos.

"So that's what this is.” My voice dropped to barely a whisper. “You want me to seduce Varkos?”

A faint smile curved across his lips.

“Exactly.”

The words hit me like a physical blow. My fingers curled into my palms as I stared at the man standing in front of me. 

I had known Adrian was capable of terrible things. But as I looked at the dress lying between us, something inside me sank.

I wasn’t his partner.

I was a piece on his chessboard he could move whenever he needed.

I shook my head.

"There’s no way in hell I’m wearing that.”

His eyes narrowed.

"You have no choice, Ginnie.”

"You told me we were in this together.” I stepped closer, my voice trembling with anger. “But everything you do makes it feel like I'm the only one sacrificing something."

Adrain’s expression remained cold. His eyes didn’t soften, and not a single muscle in his face moved.

"You will wear the dress,” his voice hardened. “Whether you like it or not.”

"I won’t—“

I had barely finished the words when he crossed the room. His hand closed around my throat. 

A gasp tore from my mouth as my back slammed against the wall. Before I could react, his fingers tightened around my throat, lifting me off the floor. 

My eyes widened as I stared at the man standing inches from my face. My fingers clawed at his wrist, but his grip didn’t loosen.

"You will wear the dress.” His voice dropped to a low, dangerous whisper, sending chills through me. You will sit at that dinner and do exactly what I tell you to.”

My fingers dug deeper into his wrist as I struggled to breathe.

"Adrian..." My voice came out broken. “You’re hurting me.”

"Do I make myself fucking clear!”

I nodded desperately.

“Yes…” I forced the word out. “I’ll do everything you say.”

Slowly, his grip loosened.

My knees hit the floor as I dropped onto it. I immediately sucked in a painful breath, coughing as my hands flew to my throat. 

I pressed a trembling hand against the floor and tried to steady myself while Adrian stood over me.

Slowly, I looked up at him.

His face remained unreadable, not even an ounce of regret etched across it.

Without a second thought, I pushed myself to my feet and grabbed the dress from his bed.

Then I ran.

The moment I reached my room, I slammed the door shut and pressed my back against it.

My chest rose and fell heavily as I raised a trembling hand to my throat. My fingertips brushed over the tender skin, and I winced.

How did I end up here?

I had entered into this marriage with Adrian believing I knew exactly what I was doing.

I had believed Adrian and I had the same hunger for revenge. 

But tonight, standing alone behind a locked door with his fingertips still burning against my skin, a terrifying realization settled over me.

Adrian didn't need a partner.

He needed a pawn in his game.

And I was beginning to realize that he would use me until there was nothing left of me to use.

My fingers tightened around the black dress clutched in my hands.

What if marrying Adrian had been the biggest mistake of my life?

Or worse…

I closed my eyes as a shiver ran down my spine.

What if I had just given a very dangerous man the power to destroy me?