Chapter [X]: Breakfast With the Devil
A blinding light pierced my eyelids, dragging me back from unconsciousness. My head pounded like a war drum. I groaned softly, my body heavy, sore, confused. I rolled over, eyes fluttering open.
Pillows too soft. A blanket of silk. A scent I recognized-not perfume, not mine, but something male, powerful. Dark leather and expensive cologne.
I sat up in a flash. Panic. Disbelief. My eyes darted around the room.
I knew this place.
Diago Hux's bedroom.
A scream nearly ripped from my throat, but I clamped it down. I clutched the sheets against my body, checking myself in a frenzy. Clothes still intact. No sign anything happened.
My virginity... intact.
But that wasn't good news.
If Diago didn't take it, the contract was void. He had warned me. No virgins. If I failed, I was out.
And last night-God, last night... I remembered everything in broken flashes. The club. The man. The bathroom. His disgusting hands. Me crying. Screaming.
And then-Diago.
That look in his eyes.
The crack of a neck snapping like a twig.
The way he lifted me like a broken doll and whispered, "Sleep, kitten."
My breath hitched. I was too stunned to cry.
The door creaked open.
I looked up-and there he was.
Diago.
Black shirt. Rolled sleeves. Jaw clenched. Not a hair out of place. He looked like he stepped out of a nightmare and a fantasy at the same time.
His eyes locked onto mine.
"You're awake."
I scrambled up from the bed, heart racing.
"Look, Diago-I know what you're thinking, but you can't cancel the contract, okay?" My voice shook as I rushed the words out. "I really tried last night, I-I was ready. But it just didn't happen. I couldn't go through with it."
His silence was deadly. He just stared, arms crossed.
I stepped closer. "But I'm not giving up. If you don't want to be the one to do it, fine. Someone else will. I'll find someone to take it. Then I'll come back to you."
Still, no expression. But I saw something flicker in his eyes. Something dangerous.
"You talk too much," he said finally, voice cold and smooth. "And you have too many stupid ideas running around that pretty little head."
I flinched.
He walked slowly toward me, each step calculated, predatory.
"What if I hadn't been there last night?" he said, voice low, sharp like a blade. "What then, hmm? You were about to get raped. Is that how desperate you are? To throw yourself to the wolves just to stay in my world?"
My throat tightened.
"I-I didn't know it would go that far..."
He leaned close. His voice was a whisper, but it burned.
"You're playing with fire, kitten. One day, it'll burn more than just your dreams."
He straightened.
"Fine. The contract stands. But one more stunt like that, and I'll toss you to the streets myself."
I opened my mouth to speak, but he cut me off.
"Thirty minutes. Downstairs. For breakfast."
Then he walked out, leaving the scent of danger behind.
---
Exactly thirty minutes later, I descended the stairs like I was walking into enemy territory. The mansion looked even grander in the daylight-like a palace for devils. I adjusted the silk robe I borrowed and walked into the dining room.
The tension hit me like a slap.
Thomas sat at one end, Alex at the other. Both looked like models from a luxury ad. Diago sat at the head of the table, silent, cutting into his food like it was a corpse.
Nobody looked up.
The silver cutlery glinted, glasses sparkled. It was all so elegant, so cold.
I sat down and grabbed my fork.
"Okay," I muttered, "are you all always this robotic at breakfast or is it just me?"
Thomas paused, fork mid-air. Diago's head lifted slightly, eyes blank. Alex gave me a glance but didn't react.
Thomas arched a brow.
"Robot, huh?"
"Well, yeah," I shrugged. "Especially the one whose name starts with D. He's got one expression for everything. I'm honestly not sure if he's ever laughed or cried in his entire life."
Thomas choked on his juice, laughing.
"Diago? Cry? Now that's a fantasy."
Diago turned slowly to him.
The laughter died instantly.
He turned to me, his voice like ice.
"It seems the thing you enjoy most is talking."
I froze mid-bite.
He leaned forward slightly.
"Kitten, you're already in the lion's den. Be careful you don't anger the lion. You know what happens when a lion gets angry?"
My lips parted, but nothing came out. I felt the weight of his words sink into my bones.
"I... I wasn't saying anything bad. I was just eating." I picked up my fork in a hurry. "See? Minding my business."
Thomas chuckled under his breath.
Diago's gaze pinned me like prey.
"Chew slowly. I won't be calling a doctor if you choke."
He turned to Thomas.
"Call Mr. Clark."
Then, just like that, he stood and walked out-cold, dominant, infuriatingly calm.
I blinked after him.
"Umm... rude."
Thomas smirked.
"Don't worry. You'll get used to it."
"I doubt it."
But one thing was clear: I was still here. The contract was still alive.
And whether he liked it or not, I wasn't leaving Diago's world.