Page 25 of Devil's Iris

Truth is, I already knew one night would never be enough with her. But now? Finding out she’s a virgin?Fuck.That changes everything.

I’ll have to be careful at first—gentle, patient. Break her in slowly so I don’t spook her. Then, once she’s used to me, once she’s craving it, I can let the beast loose and go as hard and deep as I want.

Hell, two months won’t be enough. No amount of time ever would be.

I don’t know how that makes sense. I haven’t even kissed her yet, but I feel it in my gut—she’s going to be a goddamn addiction.What if Imarried her?It’s not a crazy thought. Marriage would give me a legitimate excuse to keep her close, move her into my house, to have her at my disposal whenever I want. But she would never accept that arrangement. Not yet.

So… after two months, I’ll negotiate for more. Six months. That should be enough to soften her up for marriage.

Leni leans across the table towards me, biting her bottom lip in a way that makes me want to sink my teeth into that flesh. “I was actually thinking one year. Not as a mistress… but as your wife.”Did she just…?“I’ll stay out of your hair and won’t meddle in your business. You can even have mistresses if you want. In exchange, you clear my family’s debt and I get your name. No one would dare mess with the wife of someone asdangerous as you. I just need to borrow the power your name commands until I can pull my shit together.”

Ruthless. Calculated. Logical.

Pride swells in my chest as I watch her. She’s so much more than a pretty face.And she’sfallen right into my hands without me even having to setmy trap. One year. Maybe I’ll be tired of her by then.

Who am I kidding?

“Okay,” I answer.

She blinks at me in surprise, her lips parting as she jerks back. “What?”

I smirk. She didn’t expect me to say yes? Ah, was my pretty little bird thinking I’d say no and try to haggle her down into something more favorable? Cute. But I’m not stupid enough to let this opportunity slip through my fingers.

I get to my feet. “Come on, let’s go.”

She stands too, looking a little dazed. “Go where?”

“To my office, of course. We’re getting married, but I have some conditions. We can work out the details there instead of this place.” I glance around the library dismissively. We don’t need curious ears listening in. And I need her to sign a contract quickly before her shock wears off and she realizes what she’s gotten herself into.

I place my hand on the small of her back, appreciating the way her dress clings to her curves. She’s going to be mine. Completely, utterly mine.

We walk out of the library towards the parking lot, where my driver, Logan, starts the Maybach as soon as he spots us approaching.

I get the back door for Leni, but she hesitates, glancing at the pathetic excuse for a scooter parked next to my car. “Maybe I should ride behind you so I won’t be stranded at your office once we’re done.”

That piece of junk belongs to her?Not for much longer.I eyethe thing with disgust.It’s not fit for my wife.I don’t say that out loud—she burns with pride, my little bird, and I don’t want to wound it unnecessarily. “Don’t worry, I’ll have someone come pick it up for you.” And reduce it to ashes.

She still hesitates, so I press a little firmer on her back. At last, she climbs inside my car. I could shut the door and walk around to the other side… but I don’t. I slide in right after her, needing to be close, though she immediately scoots away from me.

Hmm, I can be patient.

My phone pings with a text.

RAFAEL

Meeting with the guys tomorrow at 11 AM. Don’t forget.

I roll my eyes when I get an almost identical message from Maximo seconds later. I miss our weekly video meetings just once and they act like I’m going to start blowing them off permanently.

Another text comes in. I expect it to be from Michael, but it’s Senator DeMarco.

JULIAN DEMARCO

Let’s have lunch on Friday. My secretary will text your secretary the details. We need to talk.

My lips quirk up for a second. Sandro would be pissed to know he was referred to as a mere secretary.

Has Julian finally given up on his impossible dream of me marrying his daughter? Will he finally surrender the information he claims to have on Katie’s whereabouts, or admit he’s been lying all along about knowing where she is? Either way, I reply with a simple ‘okay’ and pocket my phone. He’ll find out soon enough that I’ve already found my wife.