Page 17 of Lord of the Dark

I steadied myself. "Because I'm not the kind of woman who just caves to that." A lie. "And yes, he has this... presence. When he speaks, you listen. It's not just the voice—it's the way he looks at every single person in the room like he's holding all the strings."

Lisa shook her head, grinning. "Oh, I bet he's holding all the strings. I'd stay at my desk voluntarily until he gave me permission to leave."

Lisa gasped audibly. "Fiona, come on, did he at least ask you to serve him his coffee yesterday?"

I laughed and arched a brow, cradling my cup. "Tell me, aren't you a little obsessed with the idea of being dominated by him?"

My words sparked raucous laughter, and Lisa playfully pretended to slap me.

"I'd never serve him coffee. Not while he's got two functioning hands and legs." I paused, realizing how much more I liked the idea of ordering Russo around. "I'd find it far more interesting to dominate him instead."

Rachel choked on her coffee, nearly spitting it across the table. Lisa cackled and slammed her palm on the surface. "Now that's what I like! You teaching him manners while he probably thinks the world kneels at his feet."

Jane nodded eagerly. "He's got that arrogance you should hate, but somehow it's still intoxicating on him."

Rachel raised her cup, eyeing me over the rim. "Come on, Fiona, we know you're not immune. Is he really as... hot as he seems?"

"Hot?" I hesitated, warmth creeping up my neck. Of course he was hot. Devastatingly so. "Not hot—but he has this way of looking at you... his eyes pierce right through. Like he could strip your soul bare and uncover every secret."

"Oh, that sounds dangerous," Lisa murmured with a crooked smile. "Who wants a man to know their weaknesses? But then again..." She leaned back, biting her lip playfully. "Maybe that's exactly the appeal."

"It is," I admitted, like a confession.

Jane whistled low. "Honestly, Fiona, I'm almost jealous. The man isn't just hot—he's the type to turn your life upside down."

"Or wreck it completely," Tom grumbled, taking a swig. "Don't fool yourselves—guys like that are nothing but trouble. Mark my words, Fiona, if he starts wrapping you around his finger, you'll be the one left cleaning up the mess."

"Oh, Tom," Rachel teased, nudging him. "You're just bitter because he's got more charisma in one glance than you do in an entire presentation."

Tom scowled, crossing his arms. "Charisma? Please. He's just perfected that 'too-cool-for-you' stare. Probably practices it in the mirror every morning."

"And it works!" Lisa chimed in, grinning.

"Bet he drinks his coffee black just to remind us all he's tougher."

I smirked, lifting my cup before leveling Tom with a look. "You know what, Tom? You're right—he does drink it black."

Tom raised a skeptical brow. "Oh yeah?"

I leaned back, lips curving. "But not to impress anyone. Russo doesn't need to. You feel that the second you're near him." I replayed the meeting in my mind. "Watching him... how little he cares about others' opinions or reactions—that fascinated me most, honestly."

Tom snorted, shaking his head. "If you say he's not trying to impress, then that's probably his greatest power play."

I smiled faintly and took a sip of coffee. "That's it exactly, Tom."

Rachel finally looked at me with a gentle smile, tilting her head slightly.

"Fiona, you know we're just teasing you, right? But..." She rested her hand lightly on my arm. "If he's really getting under your skin... be careful."

"I know," I murmured, feeling goosebumps rise along my arms. "But maybe the risk is exactly what draws me in."

A brief silence followed before Lisa grinned broadly at the group.

"Alright, enough about Russo. Let's get back to work before we all lose our composure here. Fiona—we expect reports. Detailed ones. And I don't mean the business kind."

I gave a quiet laugh and nodded as the group gradually filed out of the break room, leaving just Rachel and me behind. Rachel studied me thoughtfully for another moment before finally saying:

"You're truly at a crossroads, Fiona. I hope you know what you're doing."