Confess toMe, Sinner

Chapter 3-The Devil’s Bargain

Angelo’s POV

Rory, I told you. You believe you are safe, but you are already in the game.

Her lips pushed into a tiny line, she looked at me. Though I can see it, she is attempting to seem as though my remarks do not influence her. I can see the storm forming behind her eyes.

"Angelo, I don't know what you want from me," she adds, her voice trembling just barely for me to catch. You're pushing me too much.

"Am I?" Knowing I've already irritated her, I lean closer and see her cringe as I enter her personal space. Rory, you are already here. Rory, you're already here. You were mine the second you entered this world.

She starts to object, but I stop her with a low, menacing voice. "Not in the way you believe. But I now possess a portion of you, whether you like it or not. It's too late to back out now.

Rory's breath stops in her throat. Whether it comes from fear or something else, I have her precisely where I want her.

Do you enjoy this? She snaps, shoving at my chest with a comically great power. Though she is stronger than she appears, I am still in charge here. "Pushing people around like they're your damn toys?"

I darkly laugh and step back just enough to allow her to breathe but not so far as to flee. Rory, you believe I'm pushing you? You decide this. Anytime you choose, you could leave. But you won't, since deep down you understand you cannot. You require me.

Her eyes flare; with every second, the defiance in them intensifies. You are mistaken. I don't require you.

Don't deceive yourself. Not giving her the space to back down, I move closer once again. You require someone who gets the chaos you've created. Someone not scared to drag you out of the fire.

Her lips quiver; I can't tell if it's from rage or something else totally. But she spins and storms away from me, her high heels quickly clicking against the floor, leaving me no time to choose.

My mouth clenches as I see her depart. Not yet, though. She's pushing me, just as I'm pushing her. The game is only starting; I won't let her walk away that easily. Not when every contact causes me to sense her resistance fading.

I wait for a beat and then follow.

Finding her doesn't take long. With her back to me, she stands at the corner bar sipping a tumbler of whiskey. The tension between us is so great it feels suffocating. Still, I know she is not running. No, she is only faking.

Ignoring niceties, I sat next to her. I'm not here to be pleasant.

"Rory, you have a lot of pride," I remark quietly so only she can hear. "But it's not going to get you out of this."

Her voice sharp, she sips her drink slowly before responding. What makes you believe I wish to escape it? You aren't really giving me a way out, are you?

The fire in her eyes I cannot help but admire. She is intelligent and more resilient than she believes. But that is also her flaw. She believes she can play this game on her own terms and keep up with me. But I know better than that. I have played this game for far too long.

My voice becoming grave, I say, "I'm giving you a choice." Help me, and I'll make sure you receive anything you desire. Fight me and I'll make sure you lose all you have remaining.

Her eyes narrow and I can see the hesitation dance just below the surface. Angelo, you have no idea what I desire.

"Oh, but I do," I answer, looking unwaveringly. You desire control, I understand. Strength. You wish to mend what you have damaged. You also wish to punish those who have harmed you. I can provide you with all of that. But only if you believe in me.

She laughs derisively and clinks her glass down. "Trust you?" After all you have done to me? All you have said? Angelo, your method of presenting offers is warped. And I'm not foolish enough to fall for it.

Ignoring the distance between us, I lean in closer. Rory, you're not dumb. But you are afraid. So you'll accept my proposal. Deep down, you know I'm the only one who can provide what you require.

She starts to speak, but I stop her with a glance. My eyes show understanding, not rage. I can see her fear. The same dread I have known for years. The dread of losing control. Of being too frail to live on this earth.

Rory, I'm not requesting your trust. Your reality is who you are, and I am asking you to accept it. You are not only an innocent bystander. You are now in this. The sooner you embrace it, the simpler it will be.

She gazes at me, her expression tough and inscrutable. For a long time, the tension between us is palpable as we simply gaze at one another.

"You are correct," she eventually responds gently but firmly. I am in this. But that does not imply I believe in you. That does not guarantee I'll follow your wishes.

Knowing this is only the start, I smile grimly. Rory, you will. You will, Rory.

I get up to go, but before I can walk away, I hear her call after me.

Angelo. I turn, my eyes fixed. You can continue playing your games; they won't help you win me over. Not in this manner.

At first, I said nothing. I need not. The reality lies in my perspective on her. Even if she doesn't know it yet, she is already mine. She only lacks knowledge of my readiness to go great lengths to seize her.

Rory, I don't have to win you over. "All I need is for you to realize the game is finished now. I control it, after all.

She looks at me, and for the first time, I see a change in her gaze. That is dread. It's a thrill. It's the same thing I've been noticing in myself for years.

Then I realize I have triumphed.

I leave her behind in her uncertainty and resistance.

Still, I am aware it won't endure.

Later that night, I sat in my office, the deal's pressure on me. Everything's coming together. The components are fitting exactly, and I'm one step further to possessing it all.

But then my phone buzzes, yanking me from my thoughts. It's a text from an unidentified number. I read it.

We have to speak. Right now. Meet me at the former warehouse on the city's outskirts. Don't invite anyone.

Though brief, the message is sufficient to cause my heart to skip a beat.

This has been anticipated. And I know just who it is from.

My head spinning, I take my jacket and go for the door. This cannot continue much longer. The game is about to grow a great deal more risky.

Rory, tell me you don't want this and I'll leave. But tell me falsehoods; I promise to make you shout the reality.

Her hand remained on the edge of the silk curtain framing my office window as she froze. Though her back was to me, I noticed the tremor in her shoulders.

"You believe you frighten me?"

I know I do.