Page 86 of Dark Souls

“I’ll take that as a yes, then.”

He turned around to face me, defeated. “Fine. But when it comes to your safety, you fucking listen to me. I mean it. None of this stubborn bullshit. When you’re inThe Underground, you do what I say because I know what will keep you off the radar and safe. Got it?”

“It will hurt my soul, but yes, believe it or not, I can compromise,” I replied sarcastically.

“And no one can know we are mates. Don’t tell a soul. I know your Grandma knows but don’t tell anyone else because you don’t know who you can trust—”

I scoffed, folding my arms. “I can trust my family.”

“I mean it, Ilaria. The fewer people who know about us, the better.”

“Okay. I get it. I won’t tell a soul. Except Sienna knows. She’s my aunt. But that was your fault. You outed yourself on that hidden camera on my necklace.” His eyes widened. “But she won’t tell anyone. Unless my uncle asks her directly, in which case she will tell him, and then he will tell my parents, who will tell my grandparents, and then my brothers will find out and—”

“Ilaria!”

“But I am sure that won’t happen. I mean, what are the chances my uncle will ask that very specific question?” He didn’t look convinced. “It will be fine. No one will know.”

“I don’t think you realise just how important this is. I agree to this on this basis alone.”

“Hang on, I don’t think it’s me we should be worried about ’Mr I ripped a man’s head off for touching what’s mine’. You do realise you can’t go around killing every man who pisses me off?”

“Wanna bet? That isn’t out of character for me, love. No one would even bat an eyelid if I made up a reason they should die. Just remember that.” Pure maliciousness took over his features and my mouth fell open.

“You are imagining it right now, aren’t you? Killing someone who touches me?”

“You want to get to know my darkness, love? This is just the beginning.”

I smirked, stepping up to him. “Bring it on. Black is my favourite colour.”

“Damn, and here I was thinking it was red.”

“That’s Rue’s.”

“Rue?” He raised his eyebrow.

“My vampire side. Cruella.”

He threw his head back and laughed. “You named your vampire alter ego Cruella?”

“Come on then, what did you name yours?”

“I…” He frowned, closing his eyes.

“You can’t say,” I answered for him. “Don’t worry. One day, I will know every little thing about you, Luka.”

His hands found my hips, yanking me into his embrace. “You said my name again. I warned you what would happen if you said it twice.”

“You did.” I bit my bottom lip between my teeth as I locked my hands around his neck. “Unfortunately for you, I still haven’t forgiven you yet. So my clothes will be staying on for now.”

“You just want to see me on my knees begging again, don’t you?” he husked, sliding his lips down my throat, setting my whole body on fire. Rue was threatening to take control and say to hell with our plan to make him work for it. Luckily, I was far too stubborn to let her.

“I’ll admit, you do look so good on your knees for me,” I moaned as he licked up the length of my throbbing pulse in my neck. I felt my dagger in the back of his pocket and while he was distracted, I pulled it out. None the wiser, he dropped to his knees before me, his face diving under my skirt as he groaned against my underwear, licking over the lace that covered my clit. I allowed myself the pleasurable shudder of that one lick before I grabbed a handful of his hair harshly and ripped him away. He fell back, sitting on his heels as I pressed my blade to his throat. His eyes hooded with lust and an expression so sinful I knew I’d break if I didn’t get away from him.

“I’ll be waiting for that membership card. I look forward to starting a healthy, respectful and mutually beneficial working relationship between us.” I smirked before removing the dagger and walking away. A sadistic grin spread across my face when I heard him swearing under his breath.

“There will be nothing healthy about this!“ he called. “We are toxic as fuck.”

“All the more fun,” I shouted over my shoulder.