7: A Deal With The Devil

 ENORA

Tonight, I made a deal with the devil against my will, and I had a feeling it would cost me my life.

When I walked into the Lantsov club an hour ago, I had no idea what the heck I was doing or why I was even there. But after I met Nikolai, an idea flashed through my brain. 

Killing two birds with one stone, that’s exactly what I was going to do.

I was between two devils I needed to destroy: my papa and Nikolai. Nikolai was notorious and ruthless, so I’d heard, but he appeared a saint compared to my papa. For instance, my papa would have shot me on sight if I’d launched an attack on his club, but Nikolai didn’t.

I’d use him to bring my papa down since I’d rather not have his blood in my hands. Then I’d kill Nikolai and burn this fucking underworld to the ground—it didn’t matter if I burned along with it.

The problem was, Nikolai wanted me to marry him, and I would rot six feet under before I dared to marry someone like him. 

“You’re crazy.”

His lips curled into a crooked smile, one that was so wicked even the devil would be shivering in hell just looking at it. “I know. I wouldn’t be offering to marry a murderous Patrizio heiress if I wasn’t.”

“Dream on, pig, but I won’t roll in the mud with you.” I spat out.

He brushed his hands over his dark hair, his gaze burned firmly on my face then lowered to my bare breast, burning awareness into my skin. 

I pretended not to feel the impact of his scrutinizing gaze. I’d only end up distracted which I couldn’t afford to be.

“You should rest up tonight. I don’t want you fainting at our wedding tomorrow.”

God, I want to drive a knife through this man’s chest right now! 

“Didn’t you hear me the first time?” I fired at him. “A marriage between the both of us will never happen. My answer is NO.”

“No one says no to me, malysh.”

I sneered at him. “I am glad to be the first. I gave you my word. I will deliver Carlos Patrizio to you, and I never make promises I don’t keep.”

“Why don’t I believe you?” he asked, squinting suspiciously at me. 

Fuck. 

“You are a Patrizio, and the Patrizios never keep to their words.”

He was right, I was a Patrizio, and we were known for going back on our words more often than was normal in this dirty world. 

But although I’d left out other details—like how I was going to kill him the moment I was done using his influence to bring my father down from his throne—I was going to keep true to my words.

“I suppose it is up to you to decide if you believe me or not, but I won’t be marrying you.” One rule I’d learned when negotiating with a notorious mafia leader was never to appear desperate. 

“You know where to find me if you agree to my offer.” I got up from the cushion, picked my dress, and slid it on. “Have a good evening, Nikolai Lantsov.”

Nikolai didn’t say a word in reply to what I told him; he rather appeared to be in deep thought. I could feel his stare strike my back as I walked to the heavy metal door leading out of his office, a part of me wanting him to stop me from leaving and agree to my offer. 

The mere thought of returning to the Patrizio manor riled wicked butterflies in my stomach.

His enforcers blocked the door sending glares my way, I wheeled around to see that Nikolai had a slight amusement pulling on his lips like the devil would have when he gained a dirty soul to torment. “Don’t you have anything else you wish to talk about?”

Nikolai arched a raven brow. “There are many things to talk about, malysh. Let’s start with you not walking out of that door.”

“Do you intend to keep me hostage?” Realization slapped me on the cheeks. I’d walked into hell myself, and the chances of walking out were slim—at least, walking out alive.

“Do I have a reason to keep you hostage, huh, malysh?” Irritation edged in Nikolai’s voice as he left his desk and walked to me. His white musk and patchouli perfume invaded my nose, intoxicating me. 

“Don’t be silly. I plan to make you my wife.” His tone had mockery in it, as if he thought I was stupid.

“What do you want from me?” I whispered, fear slowly seeping in.

Nikolai’s amusement grew wider, darker. He cupped my face in his hand and lowered himself to my ears till his hell-hot breath tingled my skin. 

“Everything.”

His voice pierced my ears, sending a tremble through me. My back ached, and my mind raced for a way out. Nikolai Lantsov was infamous for testing drugs on women and trafficking them. But I wasn’t just any woman—I was the daughter of his fiercest rival. Only God knew what he’d do if I let him take me captive.

I tried to sound as confident as I could manage. “I walked in here by my own will.” 

The crack in my voice betrayed me. “You do not need to keep me captive or marry me to get anything from me. Agree to the offer and I’m all yours.”

Silence lingered for a few minutes, threatening to stir a tornado in my chest. “Your will ceased to exist the moment you walked into my club, malysh,” Nikolai finally said, breaking the silence that caused turmoil in my stomach. 

“No. It no longer existed the moment I laid my eyes on you and I was going to come for you anyway. I do not need to accept your offer to get what I want, the same way I do not need your permission to take you as mine.” He carried his thumb to my lips and brushed them softly, kindly, as if he had not just taken my freedom away.

There was no way out. His words sealed my fate. But I wasn’t just going to stand around and obediently allow my captor to put a ring around my finger. If words would not work, then maybe my legs would.

 For the first time, I had to appreciate my papa’s insistent combat training and drilling. “Fine,” I forced a smile to conceal what I would do next. “You can have me, but I need a change of clothes.”

Nikolai scoffed in a way that sounded as if he was suspicious of my motive. Of course, he would be, he probably knew there was no way I’d just follow him, and that is exactly what I wanted him to think. “Playing tricks on me will only cost you your life, malysh. Do not forget it.” He glanced above me to his brother. “Take her away.”

As soon as Nikolai turned his back on me I spun to one of his enforcers and gave him the slyest smile possible

I buried my hands in his eyes and kicked his balls. He let out a grunt before I pushed him further away and put my feet into swift action, throwing one leg desperately in front of the other as I ran. My back was still sore, but my adrenaline was in control.

Loud music drummed as I climbed down from Nikolai’s office. I didn’t check for followers, pushing through the crowd under flickering lights.

The glass exit appeared, and I exhaled despite the pain and blurring vision. Just as I reached for the handle, strong arms wrapped around my waist, stopping me. My muscles tensed.

A familiar white musk and patchouli scent filled the air. “Do you think it is that easy to escape me?” His thick Russian accent roared in my ears. “Be a good little malysh and don’t try to run.”

His other hand crawled from my hips, then it moved till it reached and wrapped around my neck. I was running out of breath, but too weak to fight back. The exit door vanished into clouds, the music dimmed, and the only face that came to my mind was my mother's, smiling back at me.

My legs gave up the weight of my body, peace blanketed me for the very first time in years. 

I knew I’d met my end, and it was the most comforting thing ever.

Darkness was calling for me, and I did not try to fight it.

I opened my arms and embraced it.

So this is how I die…