When Darkness Falls

Chapter 14: Empty responses

A moment later, Darius returned from the bathroom with a cloth in hand. He knelt before me and delicately spread my legs apart, cleaning the mess he had caused.

After Darius finished wiping me, he grabbed my hands and lifted me towards him. He held up my shirt and placed it over my head, bringing it over my body in a way that I never thought could be considered sexual.

I swallowed roughly from his proximity and the way that he cared for me; no one had ever cared for me like this. Darius took my hands and gently lifted me from the bed, never taking his eyes off of mine. Even though staring into those hazel eyes was becoming my new favourite thing, I also found it dangerous. I stood to my feet and pulled my jeans up, clasping the button closed.

Darius smiled. "Come with me." He said in a rush before entwining my fingers with his and leading me to the bedroom door.

We left the room, and Darius led me down the stairs, passing the painting again. As we walked by the portrait, I couldn't help but stare, getting trapped in its beauty. Darius continued to lead me down the staircase, and I averted my eyes from the painting before I was lost in its web of enchantment.

I wondered where we were going and what we were doing. "Darius, where are you taking me," I questioned him.

He peered over his shoulder. "Be patient," Darius said, mischief lingering in his eyes.

I opened my mouth to ask him again, but he cocked a brow, silently telling me to shut my mouth. I pursed my lips and sighed as Darius guided me down the hallway. We walked to the dining room door and entered, finding it empty now.

Darius pulled out a chair. "Sit, please." He said in a demanding tone, and I did so without argument, not really sure why, but if I were being honest, I liked that sweet yet bossy attitude of his.

Pushing my chair in, Darius then left the room, leaving me there alone. I sat there feeling confused and curious, wondering if this was part of his elaborate plan to seduce me, then kill me. Moments passed, and Darius had yet to return. I looked around the room, observing things better this time.

As I gazed around, I noticed that there was a photograph nestled on a small table in the far corner. The picture appeared to be of a family, five people captured in a blissful moment. I began to stand from my chair, wanting to inspect the photo better, but before I could even lift my ass from my seat, Darius came back into the dining room.

He had a black plate in his hands and placed it in front of me, leaving me to sit there in surprise. I stared down at the plate of grilled cheese, smiling from ear to ear. I looked to Darius. "Thank you, this looks delicious," I told him, meaning every word.

Darius gave me a small smile. "You didn't get the chance to finish your supper earlier, and you need to eat."

I blushed, feeling grateful that he had done this for me. I noticed he didn't make anything for himself and stared in confusion. "Are you not eating?" I asked him.

He shook his head, his hair falling in front of his eyes. "No, I am not hungry. Plus, I've already eaten." Darius said with a devilish grin.

My eyes widened as the words left his mouth, and I sat there, a little shocked that he so easily spoke of our sexual encounter. I tried to hide the smile, to hide the fact that I was blushing at the thought of what he did to me earlier, and mostly how he made me feel. Then, turning my attention back to my food, I took a bite of the golden cheesy deliciousness. Before I knew it, the sandwich was gone, and I felt even more tired now.

I turned to Darius. "Thank you, that was great," I told him.

Darius pursed his lips. "You're welcome." He said softly before a small smile emerged. Reaching an arm out, he tucked a lock of hair behind my ear and caressed my cheek with his thumb. This man makes my chest flutter, and I couldn't understand why, considering the circumstances, and although Darius has been great to me in some ways, I still needed answers.

I sighed, the words lingering on my tongue as I hesitated to ask. "Darius, you didn't answer my question from earlier," I said in a low voice, reminding him of our previous conversation.

His face fell, and Darius stared at me with a blank expression. "Ramona, you already know why you are here. My men took you, and I am keeping you because you are mine." He said non-chantly, and I was taken aback by his bluntness.

My face scrunched up in confusion. "But why was I taken? And how the fuck can you just take someone, saying they are yours without their consent?" I asked him, getting tired of him not giving me the answers I wanted to hear.

Darius looked away from me and sighed heavily. "Because you were and because I can." He said in an agitated tone.

My nostrils flared in anger at his game of avoiding my questions, but I knew if I became angry that it would get me nowhere. "Darius, I deserve to know why," I said softly, hoping that if I approached the situation gently, I would be more likely to get the answers I needed.

Darius stared at me with hooded eyes, giving away no emotion, and I sat on the edge of my seat, waiting for him to respond. He leaned back in his chair and roughly ran a hand through his hair. "The only answer I can give you right now is that everything changed when I saw you, Ramona. Something inside me came to life, emotions I haven't felt in such a long time, and I knew I needed to make you mine, whatever the cost." Darius professed, and I was stunned.

My throat tightened with emotion, and although that was not the answer I wanted, I think it was the answer I needed for the time being. However, I still felt immense frustration at Darius's inability to give me a straight answer. I sighed and gave him a curt nod in understanding, wishing more than ever that I was home with Dani. I missed that crazy nerd so much that it made my chest ache, and I thought to myself that I should never have taken the assignment.

Darius stood from his chair, seeming exhausted suddenly. "I think we both need some rest." He said in a quiet tone.

As the words left his luscious lips, I yawned, rather loudly, I might add. "Yes," I said, ignoring the fact that I had just sucked in half of the room's air supply. I slowly rose from my seat, standing next to him, and my heart beat quickened.

I looked away from his wistful gaze, unable to control the desire that sparked to life just from his mere presence. I swore I saw Darius smirk at my reaction before walking towards the dining-room door.

We left the dining room and headed back up the stairs to my room. Darius opened the door, and I walked inside, switching the lights on. I turned to face Darius and smiled. "Thank you for the food," I told him genuinely.

Darius stepped towards me, clasping a hand behind my neck and bringing me to him for a soul-shattering kiss. For a moment, I was frozen, shocked by this unexpected move. Then, I placed a hand on his firm chest, and I could feel the definitions of his rippling muscles beneath my palm.

Finally, he let me go before releasing me and stepping back. "Goodnight, Mon Tresor," Darius said with a cocky smirk before closing the door.

I walked to the bed and flopped onto the plush blanket, my body sinking into the comfort. As I lay there, I remembered the events from earlier that had taken place right where I was lying, and I smiled at that thought as I drifted off to sleep.