THE TEMPTRESS

||Soirée||

•STEPHANIE•

I parked in the driveway, hopped out of my car, and instantly felt the chilly night breeze send shivers across my skin.

I gazed at the mansion before me, cocking my head with a hint of disinterest.

The music thumping inside could wake up the entire neighborhood. I'm surprised the cops haven't crashed the party yet.

But let's be real.

The guy is the son of a powerful crime boss, and even the police might as well be on his payroll. He's practically untouchable.

I slid my hands into my leather jacket pockets and headed for the front door.

Ever since our meeting at the club, he'd invited me over for this party. My act of playing the innocent, out-of-place mystery girl was going off without a hitch. He believed he had me wrapped around his finger, thinking I'd do anything for him because I needed his help with a "personal issue."

So, I've got nothing to lose. But if he thinks he's the one calling the shots, he's in for a surprise.

The front door was already ajar when I entered. Dim lighting bathed the house in a purple and red glow.

Post Malone's "Wow" blared from somewhere inside, and I was surprised at the lack of partygoers.

Was this even a party?

Two guys holding red solo cups passed me with friendly smiles. I glanced at my black dress, red leather jacket, and knee-high leather boots and shrugged.

Clearly not overdressed, but where was everyone?

I moved through the house, and as I rounded a corner, I caught snippets of a heated argument between a couple in the hallway.

The blond guy leaned against the wall while the dark-haired girl, holding a knife, berated him.

I edged closer, trying to make out their faces.

"It's not my fault he's fucked up. You're his best friend, talk some sense into him," the girl said angrily, still brandishing the knife.

"It's his life, Luce. Cut the guy some slack. He's already dealing with his girlfriend casually fucking around with his best friend, and now you're pressuring him about the drugs. Jesus," the blond guy chuckled.

It took a moment, but I recognized them. The girl was Lucy Chandler, part of Kaden's inner circle, and one of the few females in their group. The guy she was talking to was Ben McQueen, one of Kaden's best friends and a hacker. I'd studied their profiles before meeting them.

Lucy noticed me watching and gave me a sharp look. Ben, on the other hand, seemed genuinely pleased.

"Our special guest has arrived," he said with a smirk as he approached me.

"I'm Ben. Welcome to our humble home. Kaden told us you were coming and warned us to make you feel... welcome."

I maintained my poker face and watched as Lucy joined him. She crossed her arms and gave me the once-over.

"You're Stephanie?" she asked, her tone icy. I nodded curtly.

"Ben will show you to kaden," she declared before walking away. Ben looked back at me with a grin.

"This way," he said, gesturing to the side.

I pushed off the wall and followed him down another dimly lit hallway, passing occupied rooms along the way.

In one room, people were smoking, in the next, they were dancing to Post Malone. Others were occupied with their partners.

Ben led me to the last room at the end of the hallway and stopped at the doorway.

"Yo, Kaden! Your girl's here," he announced dramatically, stepping aside for me to enter.

The room was larger than the others, bathed in a crimson glow that made it hard to see faces clearly.

But I spotted him. Kaden sat on a long couch against the wall, his arm around a blonde girl. Five other guys and two girls were scattered around the couch, and a glass table between them held various bottles and shot glasses.

I folded my arms and assessed him, tilting my head. He took a drag from his cigarette, the tip glowing as he moved it away and exhaled.

"Hey, boss, who's your new friend?" one of the guys teased.

"She's hot as hell. Can we borrow her for the night?" another chimed in.

This didn't seem like a party to me. They all seemed pathetic. If he invited me here to share me with his friends, I might have to expedite my plans.

"She's off-limits," Kaden declared, his gaze fixed on me. He released the blonde girl and leaned toward the table, locking eyes with me.

"Take off your jacket and come here," he ordered, but I hesitated.

"Is she deaf?" The blonde girl snickered, and Kaden shot her a chilling look. She shifted away from him on the couch.

He looked back at me and leaned back.

"Didn't you hear me? I said, take off your jacket and get over here."

I clenched my fists. Did this asshole think he could control me in front of his friends who'd do anything he said?

But then I remembered the promise I made to myself. I knew this was likely to happen after signing the deal with the devil. Regardless of how much it bruised my pride, I had to do everything he said to get closer to him.

I'd give in to his temptation before reeling him into mine.

I started removing my jacket, and Ben stepped closer, offering to hold it for me. I flicked my hair back and looked at him.

His eyes traced down my body, leaving a trail of warmth on my skin. He met my gaze again and motioned for me to come to him.

I forced one foot in front of the other and stood over their table, feeling every eye in the room on me.

"Clear this table for me," Kaden ordered the blonde.

She scowled but did as told. As she stood, her skimpy blue dress came into view. She cleared away the bottles and glasses, wiped the table with tissues, and left with the other two girls.

"Sit," Kaden commanded, nodding toward the table.

He wanted me to sit on the table? What game was he playing?

I walked around and slowly sat down, relieved that the glass beneath me was sturdy enough.

He leaned back and watched me. I rested my hands by my side, crossed my legs, and leaned back slightly, teasing him with a smirk.

"So, how do you want to play this?"