Bought by the Devil Billionaire❣️

CHAPTER 7: DINNER WITH THE DEVIL

Elara stood in front of the mirror longer than necessary.

The dress Mara had laid out was black—simple, elegant, dangerous in its quiet way. It hugged her figure without revealing too much, the kind of dress that whispered confidence rather than begged for attention.

Dress appropriately, Dominic had said.

She didn’t know what that meant in his world, but she suspected mistakes were not forgiven easily.

When she entered the dining room, Dominic was already there.

He stood by the window, phone pressed to his ear, his silhouette sharp against the city lights beyond the glass. He ended the call the moment he sensed her presence.

His gaze turned to her.

Slow. Assessing.

Something unreadable passed through his eyes.

“You learn quickly,” he said.

Her fingers tightened at her sides. “Is that… good?”

“It’s necessary.”

Dinner was served quietly. The staff moved like shadows, disappearing as soon as the plates were placed.

Elara picked at her food, appetite gone.

“You didn’t eat lunch,” Dominic observed.

“I wasn’t hungry.”

“That wasn’t a suggestion,” he said evenly.

She met his gaze. For a brief moment, she considered arguing.

Then she took a bite.

Dominic watched, satisfied.

The silence stretched, heavy but not empty.

“Isabella will be watching you,” he said suddenly.

Elara stiffened. “Why?”

“Because she wants to know your weakness.”

Her throat tightened. “Do I have one?”

Dominic’s eyes lingered on her face. “You care,” he said. “That’s dangerous.”

She set her fork down. “And you? What’s your weakness?”

A corner of his mouth lifted faintly. “I don’t have one.”

She didn’t believe him.

After dinner, Dominic rose and circled the table slowly, stopping behind her chair. His hand rested briefly on the back of it—not touching her, but close enough that she felt the heat of him.

“Tomorrow,” he said, “you’ll attend a private event with me.”

Her heart skipped. “Another public appearance?”

“Yes. With people who don’t pretend.”

That sounded worse.

He leaned closer, his voice low. “Tonight, you sleep.”

She nodded, standing quickly.

As she turned to leave, his voice stopped her.

“Elara.”

She looked back.

“You did well today,” Dominic said.

The words were simple—but they stayed with her long after she left the room.

Dinner with the devil hadn’t ended in fire.

But she had the feeling—

The flames were coming.