The Devil's Deals

te'

the windowpane, the city sprawled in all its chaotic beauty-glittering lights,

rested in the noise of the streets below. I

y, testing the weight of it. The sound was foreign, unfa

r type-sheltered, naive, soft. And she had no idea what was waiting for her. But then again, that was kind of the point, wasn't it? I

o weeks prior. His debts were staggering, his weakness pathetic. The man had gambled away literally everythi

unexpected bonus. I didn't need the money, nor did I need Victor's loyal

expression was unreadable, as always, but by the flick of his eyes to t

e stated flatly

g from my chair

ho reveled in cruelty for its own merits-not anymore, at least-but there was something to be said for watching

ed again, and

en

than I had expected, but something in her gaze intrigued me more

ver me as if taking in my features. I could almost see the ques

ly said with a quiet voi

toward her slowly. "You should always

correct me. Good. Smart enough to kn

a long pause, her chin lifting slightl

old. "You're mine now. Your stepbrothe

er eyes for a short second before it was smothered down by the reality of her situation. I watched as

said, quieter now, with the ed

predator assessing its prey. "Your stepbrother did. He signed yo

r head, narrowing her eyes. "And

just close enough to see the ca

was struggling so hard to keep inside. It was intoxicating in its own right-knowing t

eded for her to trust me, even if the trust was carved out of a foundation of lies. I neede

ain. She let her breath out more slowly now, her stance

d in the long silence, turning to me more fully. "

rned, smooth. "You're a tool.

hed her brain working, trying to figure out what kind of way ou

nally, picking her words with care, "the

e in her position would plead for mercy, cry, beg on their knees. But she wa

tly, moving back to my desk. "A

unreadable. Then she finally nodded. "Fi

was. She was tougher than I'd given her credit for, but that didn't change things.

my hand in dismissal. "You'll stay here until the

n?" she asked,

tay out o

ons, before giving a curt nod. "

him then back at me. "One more thing," she said in a soft but sure voice. "T

prised by her defiance.

r expression hard.

l and was out the door, leaving

didn't know. Anger, amusement-and neither of those, either. Some

be quite so black-a

-