Devil's Desire {A BWLM Novella}

7

Chapter 7:

I woke up with a start, disoriented and tangled in the plush sheets of a bed that wasn't mine. The events of the previous day rushed back in a flood, and I sat up quickly, eyes darting around the unfamiliar room.

Alex had abducted me.

My phone buzzed relentlessly on the bedside table, lighting up with a barrage of messages. Dozens of notifications from my boss and my mom. Great—fired and worried sick in one fell swoop. My boss had finally had enough, and my mom? Well, her messages were all panicked and frantic, asking where I was and if I was okay.

Before I could even begin to formulate a response, the double doors to my room—yeah, my room in this mansion—swung open. A stunning woman with sleek raven hair and jade green eyes walked in, her smile as bright as a summer morning. She looked like she'd just stepped out of a magazine, dressed in a dark pantsuit and black-rimmed glasses that somehow made her look even more perfect.

"Good morning, Athena! It's such a pleasure to meet you!" Her tone was so warm and cheerful that it almost made me forget my situation. Almost.

I blinked at her, still groggy and confused. "Uh, who are you?"

"I'm Melissa, your personal assistant and friend," she announced, as if this was the most normal thing in the world.

I stared at her. Personal assistant and friend? Did Alex seriously hire someone to be my friend? Was this some kind of joke?

Melissa giggled, the sound sugary sweet and borderline robotic. "Yes, your personal assistant and friend," she repeated. "Alex hired me to help you adjust to your new life. I heard you were recently fired. I'm so sorry about that..." She stepped closer, and as she did, I caught a glimpse of something silver tucked into her jacket. Was that... a gun?

My eyes widened, but I quickly tried to play it cool. "I need to talk to Alex—"

"Wouldn't you like some breakfast first?" Melissa interrupted smoothly, just as Bianca rolled in a cart laden with Belgian waffles, eggs, bacon, and fresh fruit. My stomach growled in response, betraying me. Maybe I could eat before dealing with Alex.

"Okay," Melissa continued, her tone all business now. "Alex had me plan out a few things for you today..."

I cut her off, shoveling a forkful of waffles into my mouth. "What do you know about him?"

She hesitated, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. "He's the guy signing my checks," she said with a quick, humorless laugh. Clearly, she wasn't going to spill any details.

I pushed further. "What if I told you he's abducted me and is keeping me prisoner?"

Melissa's smile didn't falter. "I'd say you're the most well-cared-for prisoner I've ever seen."

Great. Another creepily loyal servant. What was it with these people? Were they all terrified of Alex, or did they genuinely believe he was some kind of saint? I couldn't figure it out, and the uncertainty made my skin crawl.

Melissa's voice broke through my thoughts, her smile still intact but with an edge to it now. "We have a job to do, and we'd appreciate it if you let us do it."

I deflated. There was no arguing with her—or anyone here, for that matter. Alex wasn't the type to care about legality or consent. That much was clear.

I found Alex in his expansive home gym, lifting weights like he hadn't just turned my life upside down. He was in a muscle shirt and basketball shorts, sweat gleaming on his skin. He looked every bit the predator—powerful, controlled, and utterly confident. I had to remind myself why I was here. Lusty thoughts had no place in this conversation.