Devil's Desire {A BWLM Novella}

12

12

It was two in the morning when I felt him. Santiago slid into me from behind, his body pressing so close against mine it was like he needed me to breathe. He clasped my hip with a big paw and moved with a slow, deliberate rhythm, no rush, no urgency—just an intimate, almost possessive connection. When I was fully sated, he finally let go, squeezing his eyes shut as he released inside me once again. Whispering that I was his everything.

~~

The room was draped in darkness, and in that silence, there were secrets—secrets waiting to be uncovered. I woke up drenched in sweat, sore deep inside. Santi lay next to me, his massive body taking up more space than seemed fair, one heavy arm draped over me, even in sleep. He looked dangerous, even at rest, like a predator always ready to strike.

There was a buzzing sound. Soft but insistent, gnawing at the edges of my consciousness. It woke me from my sleep, the universe goading me into action.

I turned my head, scanning the room. Something in the bedside drawer lit up. My heart raced as I glanced at Santi, then cautiously pulled on the drawer handle. To my surprise, it was unlocked. Inside, I found a piece of my past: my old phone. The one I thought he had gotten rid of when he handed me the new iPhone.

Why? Why would a man who guarded his secrets so closely leave this unlocked? Did he want me to find it? No, that didn't make sense. He kept me locked in my room, down the hall, far from anything that could give me answers. This had to be a mistake, an oversight. But who was I to ignore the opportunity?

The phone buzzed again. I stared at it, the screen lighting up with a voicemail from an unknown number. Sliding out of bed, I grabbed the phone and tiptoed to the bathroom, my heart pounding in my chest.

I shut the door quietly and sat on the toilet, staring at the phone like it was about to explode. My palms were sweaty, my breath coming in shaky bursts. Why was I reacting like this? It was just a voicemail, right? But nothing in my life was simple anymore.

Athena! Oh God, I hope this is you! The frantic, feminine voice burst through the speaker, making me flinch. This is Ingrid De La Cruz. Santiago's younger sister. You don't know me, but I know of you. Ingrid? The name tattooed on Santiago's throat in beautiful calligraphy? It was his sister?

Look, I don't have much time; they're close to finding me. But I thought you should know the truth- for your sake. She took a shaky deep
breath and continued, Our family is part of a secret society, and my brother Santiago is literally the king. We weren't always in a position of power—not until Santiago. He's ambitious to a manic degree. He's killed so many people, Athena, with Melissa and Roman's help. But there's one final piece he needs to solidify his rise to power, and that's where you come in.

A secret society? Santi is the king? And he's killed people? My mind spun, trying to make sense of this. Could it really be true? The closely guarded secrets, the strange insignia everywhere in the mansion—was it all connected? And why was I so important in all of this?

He desires a queen. Most importantly, he needs an heir. So you see, his business with you is not about love nor attraction. Don't fool yourself into thinking it is! I know this sounds medieval, and believe me, it is. That's why I stole my inheritance and ran away.

'His business with you is not about love', echoed in my mind. Ingrid's words hit me like a punch to the gut. Everything suddenly made sense—the way our relationship had progressed so quickly, the intensity of his desire for marriage, for a child. I'd let myself believe that there was something special about me, that I'd captured his heart. But I was just a piece in his game.