Taken by a Sinner (Sinners 1)

“Watch yourself, Koritsáki. We’re alone now,” I warn her. “No witnesses around to see me strangle you.”

Her bravery falters, and she moves to put the table between us. A chuckle escapes me as I shake my head, and pulling out a chair, I take a seat. I gesture at nothing specific. “Where’s the envelope?”

“In my bag,” she mutters.

I nod in the direction of the damn bag. “Take it out.”

Tess pulls the bag closer and scrummages around in it before removing the crumpled envelope. God only knows what else she has in that bag.

“Read it,” I order, my eyes sharpening on her so I don’t miss a thing.

With another annoyed huff, she opens it and pulls the papers out. Her eyes dance over the words, and soon a frown darkens her forehead.

Chapter 10

Tess

I only took the camera because Nikolas broke mine. And I really wanted a Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K camera.

Also, it didn’t escape my attention that Nikolas was protective of me. The fact that he snapped at the guy who assisted us spoke volumes. I’m totally ignoring how it made my stomach flutter.

He’s not all evil.

Maybe there’s hope.

That’s what I thought until my eyes dart over at all my expenses neatly printed on Stathoulis company stationery. Then my sight focuses on the allowance I’ll be given and the instructions on how I have to spend every cent.

I shake my head vehemently. “What’s this?” I say as I toss the papers on the table.

“I thought you could read,” he replies drily.

“That’s a hundred times more than the allowance I used to get. I know how much my father left us, and the amount on the page would deplete my mother’s savings within a year.”

Nikolas picks up the papers and glances over them before looking up at me. His indifferent expression grows dark, then he orders, “Sit, Theresa.”

I slump down in a chair then continue glaring at him.

As if he’s talking to a toddler, he explains, “You’ll be seen in public with me. I expect you to dress the part of a mafia princess. You’re a Stathoulis now.”

Anger explodes through me, and I dart back to my feet. Stalking up and down the small space between the kitchen and the living room, I shake my head. “I’m not a Stathoulis, and I sure as hell am not a mafia princess. I don’t want your money!”

Nikolas shoots up from the chair, his arm darts out, and grabbing hold of the back of my neck, he yanks me right against him. The glimmer of human I saw earlier is gone, and the devil is back in all his glory.

And damn, if I’m not starting to find it hot. Scary, but hot, nonetheless.

“It is not negotiable. You’ll take the fucking money and play your part,” he orders, his tone filled with the warning of certain death should I disobey.

My hand flies up and grabbing hold of his wrist, I swallow hard in his tight grip. It feels threatening, intense, and… and… “Let go of me,” I demand, not wanting to think of the heat flooding my abdomen.

Instead of listening, he tugs me closer still. “I’m done playing games for the day. You’ll fucking obey me or pay the consequences.” The underlying threat in his voice, along with the darkness swirling in his eyes, has me backing down, not wanting to find out what the consequences will be if I keep fighting.

He must see the submission on my face because he reigns in his explosive temper, loosening his hold on my neck.

Control freak.

Straightening his jacket, he looks at me like he’s a god and I’m nothing but a mere servant. “The first event is this Friday. My assistant will send you the details. Be there at seven p.m.”

With the order hanging in the air, he walks to the front door and lets himself out.

Taking a couple of steps forward, I sink down on the chair he was sitting on and suck in deep breaths of air.

That was unsettling. Nikolas might still be terrifying as hell, but things are changing in a way I can’t quite place.

Am I really attracted to him?

No.

Surely…

Ugh.

It’s just because he’s so damn attractive. Unfortunately, the rest of him still sucks.

Lifting a hand, I take hold of the papers and look at them again.

Fifty thousand dollars.

My. God.

I shake my head again, not even able to fathom the amount. What does Nikolas want in return for all this money? It’s certainly not out of the goodness of his heart.

There’s no way I can just accept it. It’s not about it being blood money. Hell, the inheritance my father left us came from the mafia.

I just don’t want Nikolas’ money. Shit, I need to get a job fast. I just wish I had more time in the day. My schedule is already overflowing with my studies.