Chereads / Dirty Little Lies / Chapter 17 - Black’s Prey

Chapter 17 - Black’s Prey

Annalise focused on everything else apart from the man who was seated stoically by her side. She focused on stopping her leg from bouncing, her hands from shaking, and most importantly, herself from saying anything that just might aggravate her situation.

It was obvious, glaring that she had no say when it came to this or anything. Nicolás owned her, he didn't see her as his wife, she almost let out a harsh laugh at the thought of that.

She didn't know if he loved Isabella as deeply as she seemed to love him but if he did, it'd be a shock to her, but at least it'll prove that he was a human with feelings.

The car came to a halt in front of a massive building with blinding lights, they were at a hotel. The driver's hand paused on the wheel as he waited for them to alight.

The door on Annalise's side opened and a valet stood at the other side.

She took in a breath and stepped out.

"Thank you," She said to the man who still held the door.

Nicolás round the car and came to her side where he placed his hand gently on the small of her back.

"I know this is awfully inconvenient for you but sweetheart, I'm going to need you to smile." He said his eyes staring straight ahead as they made their way into the hotel, passing through the sliding doors.

Annalise forced a smile on her face to replace the grimace she had on. She felt like a mannequin that had life breathed into it for a brief period.

She noticed eyes lingered on them as they walked by the hotel's lobby and she felt Nicolás's arm tighten around her waist... She widened her smile wondering if she didn't look happy enough for him.

He let go of her as soon as they stepped into the elevator and she saw he had pressed the button for the presidential suite.

Annalise felt her chest tighten, this was going to be a long night. The only thing she could hope for now was that Nicolás would have the good grace to have her excuse herself from the room before he killed his prey, yet again.

The elevator moved up, all its sides made of glass showing them off to the city below. Annalise tried her best not to look down, but when Nicolás inched closer and closer to her until she could feel his body's warmth, she had to remind herself to breathe.

Inhale, exhale, and slowly, just like that.

"Look at me," He commanded, his voice coming out hoarse.

She did as he said, staring back into his dark eyes and she felt herself freeze, his gaze holding her in place and Annalise felt herself falling into an abyss.

This wasn't right.

"You're going to have to stay calm no matter what, do you understand?" He asked as though he was talking to a child and she nodded as though she was one.

Her fear had heightened, and a terrible feeling had settled itself at the pit of her belly... This was bad, this was bad, this was going to be a catastrophe.

"No screaming, no tantrums." He said, his eyes searching hers.

Annalise took in a sharp breath. "Is what you've signed me up going to require me to scream?" She heard herself ask in a voice even smaller than her regular one.

Nicolás ran a hand through his hair and it made her realize things were even more awful than she'd thought. He looked worried, just slightly and if she hadn't been watching him intently she'd have missed the flicker of it in his eyes.

He was worried about what was going to happen and that made her even more worried because what the hell had he gotten both himself and her into?

"Stay calm, Laura, that's all I ask of you." He said just as the elevator stopped and the double doors parted open.

They stepped out of it and he offered her his arm where she linked hers with his, pulling them closer. She realized he was putting on a show for whoever they were visiting. The floor was in complete silence except for the sound of their shoes as they made contact with the gleaming, tiled floor.

The walls shone from the bright, golden light ahead illuminating them both as Nicolás led them towards a door.

He knocked on the door before his hand covered the knob and he pushed it open, and they stepped into the room.

The suite was huge, magnificently so and it was beautiful but that wasn't what Annalise was looking at, her eyes were fixed on the two older men with graying hairs that were seated on the couch.

Their eyes moved from the Tv when she and Nicolás walked in and Annalise tightened her hold on his arm, gripping it in a way she was almost sure hurt when one of the men's eyes swept through her, his eyes shamelessly leering, undressing every layer, every piece of clothing that shielded her body from his view. Annalise felt bile rise in her throat, saliva rushing into her mouth.

"Sir Reginald, Sir Enzo," Nicolás said with a slight tilt of his head at the men.

"Black," The other man, Sir Reginald said with a pleasant look on his face as he rose to offer Nicolás his hand.

Black, Annalise noted. There was that name again, what was it Leonardo had said about it?

"... We do not call him Black for no reason."

She turned back to the conversation, the other man whose eyes had been on her was saying.

"And this must be your wife, the beautiful Mrs. Nicolás we've heard so much about. I must say, she exceeds my imagination." He said leaning in to kiss her on the cheek.

Annalise offered a tight-lipped smile as she allowed him to kiss both her cheeks, his lips lingering and his hand tightening around her back.

Sir Reginald was more gentlemanly. "Good to meet you, my dear."

"Where's he?" Nicolás asked without hesitation.

Sir Enzo smiled knowingly before nodding at one of the closed doors in the room.

"He's in there, waiting patiently."

Annalise turned to Nicolás sharply with panic on her face.

He pulled her close. "Go in and be good. I just need a few minutes, I'll be right there. I promise you'll be fine."

And he pulled away from her, her cue to do as he'd asked.

She stared back at him completely speechless, he wanted her to trust him? Of all people?

Without any other option, Annalise made her way to the door Sir Enzo had pointed, her whole body trembling with fright.

With a deep breath, she pushed the door open and entered the room. Her eyes bulged at the scene that met her.