Chapter Nine – A Devil’s Weakness
1090 Words
He is chaos wrapped in silk. A storm with a smile.
And now, I might just be his favorite distraction.
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I don’t know how long I sit there, staring at the door Leo just walked out of.
Everything about him makes no sense. One moment, he’s cruel and merciless. The next, he’s offering me tea like we’re old friends sharing a quiet evening.
I don’t know which side of him is real.
And that terrifies me.
I exhale sharply, setting the cup down before standing up. My wrists ache from being restrained earlier, and exhaustion weighs heavy in my bones. But I won’t sleep. I can’t. Not when I’m still trapped in this place, held hostage by a man who thrives on power.
I pace the room, searching for something—anything—that might give me a way out. The windows are bolted shut, the walls solid, and the only door leading out of here is locked from the outside.
But then my gaze lands on something new.
A small key.
My heart skips.
It’s lying on the nightstand, half-hidden beneath a folded cloth. It looks out of place, as if someone carelessly left it there.
Or… left it there on purpose.
I hesitate.
Would Leo be that careless? He doesn’t seem like the type to make mistakes. But if this really is a way out—
I snatch it up without another thought.
Now or never.
I creep toward the door, pressing my ear against it. Silence. My fingers shake as I slide the key into the lock, twisting it as quietly as possible.
Click.
I hold my breath.
Then—nothing.
No alarms. No footsteps.
I did it.
I crack the door open just enough to peek outside. The hallway is dimly lit, empty except for the faint flicker of a chandelier.
Move fast.
I slip out, heart hammering as I pad down the hall. Every step feels like a lifetime, every shadow a potential threat.
I make it past one corridor. Then another.
And just when I think I might actually make it out—
A deep voice cuts through the silence.
“Going somewhere, little dove?”
Ice floods my veins.
I whirl around—and slam straight into Leo.
I swear.
He catches me before I fall, his grip ironclad as he yanks me close. I can feel the heat of his body, the slow rise and fall of his chest.
He’s not wearing a suit this time—just a fitted black shirt and sweatpants, like before. And for some infuriating reason, he looks amused.
Like he’s been expecting this.
I glower at him, shoving against his chest. “Let me go.”
Leo tsks, shaking his head. “And here I was, thinking we were making progress.”
I narrow my eyes. “You left the key on purpose.”
His smirk widens. “Took you long enough to figure that out.”
My breath catches. “You—”
“Needed to see what you’d do.” He leans in, his voice dropping to something almost dangerous. “And guess what? You disappointed me.”
Anger flares in my chest. “What the hell did you expect? That I’d stay and be your little captive forever?”
Leo shrugs. “Would’ve been easier for you.”
I grit my teeth. “I don’t do easy.”
For a moment, he just looks at me. Then—he laughs.
A real, deep laugh that shakes his shoulders. Like I just told the funniest joke in the world.
I scowl. “Glad to know my misery is entertaining.”
Leo wipes an imaginary tear from his eye. “Oh, sweetheart. You are the best entertainment I’ve had in years.”
I want to kill him.
Before I can, he tightens his grip on my wrist and spins me around, caging me between him and the wall.
My breath catches.
His eyes darken, the playful glint flickering into something much more dangerous.
“You think you’re clever,” he murmurs, fingers trailing up my arm. “But you’re predictable.”
I swallow hard, refusing to let my fear show. “And you think you’re invincible. But one day, someone will take you down.”
Leo hums. “Maybe. But it won’t be today.”
Then, he does the last thing I expect.
He leans in—and kisses me.
It’s not gentle. Not sweet.
It’s claiming.
Heat floods through me, my body betraying me as my hands clutch at his shirt. He kisses like he owns me, like he’s daring me to fight back—
So I do.
I bite his lip.
Leo pulls away, tongue swiping over the sting, eyes gleaming. “Feisty.”
I pant, chest rising and falling. “Screw you.”
His smirk is wicked. “Oh, you will, sweetheart. Just not yet.”
My face flames.
Before I can react, he lifts me effortlessly and throws me over his shoulder.
I yelp. “What the hell are you doing?!”
Leo chuckles, carrying me back toward my room. “Since you’re so eager to escape, I figured you could use some extra security.”
Oh no.
I kick and thrash, pounding my fists against his back. “Put me down, you psychotic—”
Smack.
I freeze.
Did he just—did he just slap my ass?!
Leo laughs, completely unbothered by my rage. “That was for trying to run.”
“I hate you.”
He grins. “Liar.”
I fume the whole way back. When we reach my room, he doesn’t just throw me inside. Instead, he walks in with me, shutting the door behind him.
I glare. “You planning to sleep here now too?”
Leo smirks. “Tempting. But no.”
Then—he pulls something from his pocket.
A collar.
I freeze.
My stomach plummets.
“Absolutely not,” I snap.
Leo raises a brow. “Would you rather be chained to the bed?”
I swear I’m going to kill him.
He tilts his head. “It’s this or Luca follows you everywhere like a lost puppy. Your choice.”
I want to argue. Want to fight.
But then I remember—Emma.
I have no choice.
Leo watches as I grit my teeth and snatch the collar from his hands. “You’re a monster.”
His lips curve. “And yet, you look so pretty when you submit.”
I throw a pillow at his face.
He laughs.
- Writer
