Page 160 of Madness & Mercy

I’ve never been on this side of the Estate before. This entire place is a goddamn maze. I press my back against the wall, freezing as a pair of guards pass. I’m honestly surprised Nico didn’t leave me with one this time—guess he actually trusts me now.

I lean in, trying to catch their conversation, but a firm hand clamps around my forearm.

“Going somewhere?”

My whole body locks. I turn, expecting to see Nico, but it’s not him. It’s Enzo.

“Just… going for a walk,” I mutter.

Enzo’s smirk is sharp. “Boss wants to see you.”

What? Nico said he’d be busy all day. What could he possibly want with me now? Wait… maybe this is a good thing. Maybe he’s finally letting me in on whatever he’s hiding. Either way, I’m gonna find out.

“Fine,” I mutter, yanking my arm free. “Lead the way.”

I fall in step behind Enzo, my curiosity burning hotter with every turn. My pulse thunders in my chest, equal parts excitement and defiance. I can’t stop thinking about Nico—about what he’s doing, about how close I’m getting, and about that pull he has over me no matter how hard I try to resist.

Enzo doesn’t speak at first, just keeps moving down the hall like a shadow. Finally, he mutters without looking back, “Relax, Cross. He isn’t gonna kill you or anything.”

I snort. “Yeah, real comforting.”

He smirks faintly. “Just… don’t do anything stupid. He’s in a mood today.”

“He’s in a mood every damn day,” I mutter, ignoring the warning as my gaze flicks to the end of the hall. A tall door looms ahead, faint light spilling from the crack. My stomach twists.

Enzo stops just shy of the door. “He asked me to leave you two alone.”

I nod. “This better be good,” I mutter, twisting the knob and stepping inside, every nerve on fire.

The door clicks shut behind me, and there he is, sitting at his massive desk, laptop open, several files spread around like controlled chaos. His jaw is tight, fingers drumming on the sleek surface. Stress and irritation flood his features, but the moment his eyes meet mine, that familiar smirk tugs at the corners of his mouth.

“You’ve been spying on me,” he says, his voice low and dangerous. “I saw you on the cameras.”

I blink. “You… were watching me that whole time?”

He leans back, smirk widening, eyes glinting with amusement. “Of course I was. I’malwayswatching you, Julian. I watched you run around like a mouse trapped in a maze for twenty minutes, and then I had Enzo bring you here.”

I grit my teeth, trying to push down the rush of heat shooting up my spine. “Crazy bastard.”

“Takes one to know one,” he murmurs, tilting his head, that smirk turning into something almost predatory. “You think you can sneak around me and I won’t notice?”

I don’t answer, shifting my gaze to the mountain of files on his desk.

“Come sit,” he murmurs, his voice low and taunting.

“There’s nowhere else to sit,” I mutter, trying to sound indifferent.

His smirk deepens. “Sit on my lap… or the floor. Your choice.”

I grit my teeth, chest tight, and take the path of least resistance; sinking to the floor in front of him, muscles coiled.

He chuckles, slow and amused, the sound sending a shiver down my spine. “Good boy,” he hums. “Now, what should your punishment be?”

Heat flares in my gut at the mention of the wordpunishment.

“I didn’t do shit,” I mutter, my voice almost a growl.“You’rethe one being all secretive, locking yourself in your office and not telling me what you’re doing.”

He leans back in his chair, raising one brow, lips curling into an amused arc. “Oh? So you’re brave enough to accuse me of being secretive… but not brave enough to come closer?”