Page 10 of A Debt of Darkness

Her bottom lip trembles, and my gaze is drawn to the flickering pulse in her neck. It's fluttering far too rapidly and the smell of her fear makes my cock rock hard.

“You have lots of dresses. Pick one.” I'm guessing this is the last protest she'll make, and I'm determined to head it off. Before it drives me insane with need. “Mia will help if you need it. She can arrange a white dress by sundown.”

Ivy shakes and her shell of indifference shatters. Her eyes plead for mercy and she turns to Ryan, searching for a way out. It irks me how she looks to him for salvation, but I'll forgive her. This time. She's terrified and doesn't know any better, and she's had more contact with him until now.

My second doesn't budge, although he's far from pleased with how this has gone. He simply shakes his head and crushes her hope. She sobs once before drawing a deep breath and turning like a tiger ready to attack.

“I said no.”

It's been a long time since anyone's openly defied me. I'm not sure whether to admire her courage or rage against her stupidity. I'm confused. Unsure. It's a puzzling experience and I dislike my discomfort.

“You said yes.”

“Not until I get something I want,” she says and my jaw almost falls at her sheer damn nerve. “That's how this works, isn't it? This is a transactional relationship. You want something from me. I get something in return.”

Fuck me, she's negotiating.

“It’s one interpretation of our arrangement.”

She winces and I’m relieved she dislikes the idea we are negotiable. But Ivy isn’t going to let that stand in the way of getting what she wants, and I’m intrigued. She’ll tell me whatmatters to her and it’ll give me insight into how she works. How she operates. Ultimately, it’ll make manipulating her easier, and I might need to, if only to keep her safe.

“Your agreement promised to keep my sister safe?” she asks, trying to conceal the emotion in her voice. The slight tremble ives away the depth of her attachment and when I nod, her heart rate falls. “I want Izzy to be protected from our father. Permanently.”

She fidgets as I watch her give away so much while revealing so little. Ivy confirms she hates her father but doesn’t tell me why, leaving my mind reeling through thousands of possibilities. Maybe it’s a knee jerk reaction to how he’s handled things with me, but it feels like it’s more than that. It feels visceral and I’m fascinated.

If he’s hurt her, I’ll fucking kill him. Slowly, painfully, and in a way that lets her make peace with whatever happened.

But she never had to ask for this.

This needn’t have been traded. I would have given her this willingly, without expectation or need for reciprocity. It’s another tell, a sign of how little she trusts men—and how little she knows of me. She’s judged me. Wrongly, in this instance.

“Of course.” I wave my hands as if I’ve agreed to something difficult.

She exhales and sinks into her chair, imploding now the pressure’s lifted. Her eyes finally look away and stare at a painting. I’ve always liked the way the thick paint strokes capture the movement of the water in the pond. It’s a picture I acquired years ago and its provenance is impeccable.

“I was told your tastes were more modern.” My voice is as smooth as chocolate and it ought to calm her. She stares at the wall and I’m left asking myself if the painting is doing more for her than me.

“It’s pretty,” she says, slowly getting up and walking away.

Ryan moves to open the door and he’s surprised I haven’t reacted. Ivy’s decided this conversation is over and I haven’t challenged her. It’s been a while since someone left my presence without being dismissed and he’s noted my leniency.

“You can have it.”

Ivy stops and her head tilts almost imperceptibly. “No, thank you.”

She takes two steps before I interrupt her. “If you like it, you should have it. I’ll have it moved to your room.”

“No.”

The simple, complicated girl who holds my heart hostage infuriates me without realizing it, leaving me desperate to solve this riddle. She’s turning down a fucking masterpiece. It barely holds a candle to her, but its lilies are considered stunning.

“I’m happy to give it to you. Why not take it?”

She steps through the door and stops, debating with herself whether the truth will land her in more trouble. She hides it well, but the slight tremor in her hand gives away her uncertainty. Ivy waits and only looks back when Ryan’s about to pull the door shut. Our eyes meet and I hate the pain I’m witnessing in hers.

“Because the cost is more than I’m prepared to pay.”

Ryan closes the door before I screw this up even more. My rage explodes and I sweep the papers off my desk before I turn it upside down, baring my fangs as my temper ignites. I seethe, snarling like a wounded animal. I’m fucking feral and the only thing I want walked away after delivering a gut-wrenching blow.

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