Three

Chapter 3

Aviana

”Welcome to the family, Anna Reed," Lucas said as we rode the elevator up.

I still couldn't believe what i had done.

I had killed an innocent man, stabbed right in the neck .

My heart was beating way too fast. I had no idea how I was managing to stay composed.

I had just fucking killed an innocent man!

"Thank you," I managed out with a smile that didn't reach my eyes

As we stepped out of the elevator, we entered the living room and Lucas led me into the door they'd come out of the first time.

He opened the door and spoke, "Wait here," he said before walking in.

He was back a second later

"You can come in now," he smirked.

I entered the room and groaned at the dimly lit room.

It looked like an office with a huge mahogany desk close to the window. Behind the desk was Duncan Romano.

I swallowed at his intense presence and his gaze that seemed to undress me.

"Have a seat Miss Reed," he said, his baritone voice vibrating through my body.

I walked towards him and sank into the leather chair across from him, forcing my hands to stay still in my lap. My pulse still pounded in my ears, but I kept my face neutral. I had made it this far—I couldn't afford to slip now.

"You handled yourself well downstairs," he finally said.

I swallowed, giving a curt nod. "I did what was necessary."

His lips curled slightly, not quite a smirk but close. "Necessary," he repeated, tasting the word. "Tell me, Miss Reed, was it your first time?"

I stiffened, just barely. Was this another test? A trap?

I couldn't tell. The man was hard to read. No wonder none of the other detectives were successful. He was quite literally impossible to read, a cunning man with cunning intent.

"Would it matter if it was?" I countered smoothly.

He let out a low chuckle, but there was no humor in it. "Oh, it would matter. A first kill changes a person. It marks them in ways they don't even realize."

I held his gaze. "Then I guess I’m marked."

Duncan leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "That man was useless to me, so his death means nothing. But what interests me is the way you did it. Swift. Efficient. But not mercilessl."

My stomach churned, but I didn't react.

"You hesitated," he continued, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Not enough to fail, but just enough to make me curious. "Who are you, Miss Reed?"

I pursed my lips. I had prepared a story for him. I had for months now and I could tell he knew.

"A scorned woman that wants the money and power to fuck up those who did me wrong up,"

It wasn't a total lie but he didn't need to know that he and this organization was my target. As soon as I found the three men that had killed my mother seventeen years ago, well, this whole place was going down.

He studied me for a long moment before leaning back, seemingly even more curious. "You will be telling me more about this but in the meantime, Lucas will show you to your room."

"Thank you Mr Romano,"

"Call my Duncan,"

"Yes, Duncan,"

"One more thing. Starting from tomorrow, you'll have two jobs. One ad my personal assistant and the other as my account,"

I took in a sharp breath. That had not been part of the plan. This was going to affect my freedom a bit but it wasn't something I couldn't do.

He stood up from his chair all of a sudden and I followed suit

He walked up to me and suddenly grab me by the neck.

"If I find out that you are some kind of spy, I will kill you, am I clear?" He growled.

I nodded.

His hands loosened just a bit but he was still so close to me that his breath fanned my face.

His lips parted as if he was about to kiss me. My lips parted too and my eyes closed, waiting for the kids but he let go of me instantly, bringing me to my senses.

"Get out," he growled and I quickly without delay scurry our of there.

As soon as I stepped out of the office, I let out a sigh, trying to rid myself of the tension that had now wrapped itself around me.

Lucas was waiting outside with a grin. "You’re still alive. That’s a good sign."

I ignored him, my mind already spinning.

I had passed his test. I was in.

Now, I just had to figure out how to take him down before I lost myself completely....

I was unable to sleep that night

*****

I threw my pillow accross the room, emotions flowing through my veins. I I had been trying to sleep for the past two hours now but it was no use... I couldn't get the image of the man I had killed out of my head. No matter how much I tried to.

It was impossible.

Not just that, I couldn't seem to get Duncan Romano out of my mind.

I was alternating between the kids we almost shared in my head and the man I killed.

I had come here to destroy him. To tear his world apart the way his kind had torn mine. Yet, all I could think about was the way his hand had fit around my throat, the heat of his body so close to mine, the way my lips had parted on instinct, betraying me.

Pathetic.

I clenched my fists. I had to focus. Duncan Romano was not a man I could afford to be distracted by. He was dangerous. Calculated. A monster disguised as a businessman.