Page 40 of Mistress A-0002

“I have the day and night. I’ll have to leave in the morning unless you’d like me to stay. I’ll figure out a way to make the time if you need me here with you.”

Reaching up to the back of his neck, I held him just shy of my lips.

“Let’s plan by the minute. I’m in hell. Time doesn’t favor me.”

“Would you like me to make it stop?”

My brows drew in. “Hell, or time?”

“Both. Let’s go to my apartment.”

Adrian didn’t have to elaborate. I nodded, letting him open the office door as I headed through and waited for him to shut it behind us. As I did, I found myself scanning the lobby area ahead. A decent crowd buzzed. Masters dominated the space, grabbing coffee and snacks. Some socialized. Some stared down at their Gardens devices. Sound seemed to grow in volume and colors blurred, overstimulating me even more. I forced it back, finding myself sliding my hand around Adrian’s bicep as he offered me his arm. Any other day, I would have dismissed the offer out of caution. Not today. I held firmly, categorizing my every second while I let him lead us to the elevator. This behavior wasn’t normal for me. Manipulation, yes. Susceptibility outside of my role, never. It was the stress. The continuousfailed attempts to get control of the situation. Control over my masterpiece.Fucking Elec.

Two other Masters headed our way to get on the elevator, but my attention wouldn’t leave my calculations surrounding the Main Master. Or Braddock or Jett. Or Adrian or Muriel. The players in my game circled around and around. If I didn’t start making eliminations, I was bound to make even more mistakes. Maybe this stupid episode would continue even longer if I didn’t fix this now.

My hand slid free of his arm as we stepped onto the elevator. I reached for my phone, bringing it up as he pushed the button to his floor. As I punched in the letters to the text, I could feel my pulse pitter-pattering all over the place. My breath came out ragged from the face that flashed in my mind, and I adjusted my shoulders, hitting send. The door opened, and my fast steps had Adrian matching my speed through the lobby. I could see him looking over to check on me, but I kept my attention ahead until we were slipping past his apartment door, and he was closing us inside.

“Who did you text? Are you okay?”

“I’ll be fine soon enough.” I scanned the luxuriously furnished apartment, taking in the brown leather sofas. On auction night, they had been an eggshell color and smeared with blood from our heated foreplay. Those were gone now. Neutral shades also replaced a light blue rug, and I sighed as I took in the man who was studying me.

“You redecorated.”

“Light colors were never a good idea for what takes place within these walls.”

A smile started to come but fell. “I guess that would depend. Will you redecorate every time you kill?”

“I don’t usually kill so… impulsively. Honestly, that night is a blur, but only because I was so enamored by you. It waslike in those moments we were one. Murder has never been so beautiful. You wear death like silk. It was like it was made for you. I’ll redecorate this apartment a million times if it means we get to share something that true.”

I did smile then, but it was hesitant. Adrian’s words blew through the fog like the strongest hurricane. Momentary clarity had me reassessing my intentions. Had me reassessinghim.Her.Which was better for my plans? For the overall picture?

My hand lifted and I double-snapped, watching his lips part as he followed the movement of my finger upward. Even out of my spell, I still had a big part of him, and that was a good sign. Interesting.

“What is your name?”

He blinked hard, slowly lowering his stare back to me. “W-What are you doing?”

My hand lowered, and my heart sang at the tinge of confusion. Slowly, I sat on the sofa. “I had to make sure. You remember a lot about that night. I didn’t expect you to.”

Seconds passed before darkness shadowed his face. Multiple expressions registered, stopping on the one I needed. His stare was weary as he gathered his true thoughts, and I knew this was the real Master. “You…didn’t expect me to remember? Why? Because I should have been more under your influence? Maybe what they say about you is true.” The way his lips peeled back in a cold smile had me swallowing hard through the thrill. Adrian lowered, sitting beside me. “…My name. No. I’m not imagining this.” He cleared his throat. “Are you attempting to brainwash me, Melissa? My name?” His head shook as he battled the mental implants I’d already set in stone. “Has that been your goal all along?”

“I didn’t take you as a man who listened to gossip.”

“I’d be a fool not to. Is that what you’re trying to do?”

I met his eyes.Reallymet his stare head-on. His breath hitched, and my power over him somewhat reinstated. I snapped at the certainty, taking it away, letting him feel as if he had some form of control. Fool.

“There’s no trying. If I wanted to take your existence, I could.”

“My existence.” He laughed but his tone softened. “Those are bold claims. Could you, really? If you could, why haven’t you?”

Was that a tinge of longing in those tight-lipped questions? I couldn’t be wrong. My prize was ahead. He was affected permanently now. That didn’t mean I was safe. I looked up through my lashes, purposefully shifting his mood despite the danger I flirted with from my questions. “Who says I haven’t already?”

“So, you’re not denying the rumors?”

“All rumors hold truth, but the truth isn’t always so cut and dry. I thought you brought me here to console me? I’m not feeling very supported. I feel attacked.”

“Guilt will do that to people.”

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