Page 158 of Crimson Promises
Ben had returned to his place early this morning, in preparation for this mystery date. I strolled into the bathroom and unpinned the strands of hair I had curled earlier this evening. They were cooled and ready to be styled. I turned my attention to my reflection in the mirror. I picked up a brush gently running it through my hair, coaxing the loose waves into a natural, tousled look. The white-speckled countertop was littered with makeup brushes, hair products, and nail polish.
A spritz of sea salt spray added texture and enhanced the beachy, effortless vibe I was trying to achieve. I reached for my makeup bag, opting for a fresh and radiant look. A light layer of foundation evened out my skin tone, while a touch of peach blush added a healthy glow to my cheeks. My eyes came alive with a few coats of mascara and a swipe of shimmery champagne eyeshadow.
Lastly, I slipped into strappy sandals that matched the dress perfectly. The height gave me a boost of confidence and slightly closed the dwarfing height gap between us.
An alarm sounded on my phone. It was time to meet Ben. He told me that a black SUV would be waiting outside the doors to pick me up and deliver me to the destination where he would be waiting. Excitement swirled through me like a gentle breeze on a summer evening. I grabbed my favorite clutch, sliding my phone, keys, and lipstick inside.
With one final look in the mirror, I took a deep breath, feeling a surge of butterflies fluttering in my stomach. Then I made my way out the door, ready to meet Ben and embrace the magic of the night.
Striding out of my apartment building, the crisp autumn air instantly chilled me to the bone.That’s what I get for wearing a tiny summer dress at the height of fall. The fading daylight painted the sky with hues of orange and pink, casting a serene glow over the surrounding buildings. Leaves crunched under the heel of my stiletto as I approached the awaiting black SUV, its sleek exterior shimmering under the dim streetlights.
I swung my head to the left, expecting an overprotective parental comment about being back home at a decent hour. Except Victor wasn’t there. Weird, I could have sworn he had said he was working the late shift tonight. A tinge of unease coiled in my stomach.Stop overacting, Aurora. Everything’s fine.
“Good evening,” I said to the doorman. He nodded in acquiescence but didn’t bother with a verbal response. The person was focused on a spot on the pavement, avoiding meeting my eyes. Their behavior was peculiar, but I shrugged it off. Mars was probably in retrograde. I rolled my shoulders back, trying to shake off. Tonight was about Ben and I, and I refused to let anything stand in the way of that.
The feeling was subtle yet persistent, like a whisper of caution echoing in my ears. I scanned the busy street, but nothing was out of the ordinary — just the faint pounding of pedestrian footsteps and the distant sounds of traffic. Taking a deep breath, I reminded myself that it was part of the plan. I’m being paranoid. I held my clutch to my chest and checked my phone for a message. I had an unread one from Ben.
Ben: Counting down the minutes until I get to see you tonight xx
A huge grin split across my face. Relief coursed through me. This would all be fine. Ben would be waiting on the other side of wherever he had arranged the vehicle to take me.
Yet, as I reached the vehicle, a sense of foreboding lingered in the air. I stood in front of the back passenger door. No one exited the vehicle. The windows remained rolled up. There was no sign that there was anyone in the car. A rumble of the engine tore me from my thoughts.Guess that’s my cue. The door handle felt cold as I gripped it, sending a shiver through my fingers.
I slid into the back, the leather seat greeting me with a faint scent of newness and ash.
I glanced at the driver, a shadowy figure behind the wheel, their features concealed by the dim lighting.
“Hello,” I said. “Nice to meet you. Are you able to let me know where we’re heading?”
Crimson eyes met mine in the rearview mirror.
“Good evening, Aurora. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you in the flesh. “You’ve been a difficult one to get alone.” He stretched the ‘shh’ when he spoke. “As to where we are headed this evening, I’m rather fond of surprises, so we’ll just have to see what the night has in store.” He gave a low, wicked chuckle.
I felt my heart stutter, then pound violently against my ribcage as realization dawned on me. I knew those eyes. For weeks, they had haunted me and twisted my dreams into nightmares.
I shrank back into my seat instinctively, the leather feeling suddenly too cold beneath me. My hands gripped the edge of the seat, knuckles whitening as if by holding on to something tangible, I could anchor myself away from the fear that threatened to swallow me whole.
Lucifer.
His laugh, a low, wicked chuckle, reverberated through the car and seemed to mock my escalating terror. The sound of it skittered down my back like the legs of a spider.
Even without turning to face me, I could picture his features—sculpted and as achingly perfect. It was easy to see why he had been God's most revered, his beauty a divine trap, his allure the sweetest poison.
But that beauty, that divine craftsmanship, only amplified the danger he posed. It was the sheen of a blade, the elegance of a predator. It made him not less, but more deadly—a wolf in seraph’s clothing, a viper with the face of an angel.
I swallowed hard, my throat tight, my voice a mere whisper in the face of my fear. "What do you want with me?" The question felt foolish even as it left my lips—a lamb asking the wolf for its intentions.
“Everything.”
I threw myself against the door handle as the locks clicked shut, keeping me in. The sound reverberated in my ears.
I was trapped.
ChapterSeventeen
Bennett
Like a whisper on the wind, Michael’s presence was swift and unannounced, intercepting me just outside the conservatory.
