Page 25 of His Dark Desires

"Beautiful," I whisper, reaching out to trace her image on the nearest screen. Two years of watching from afar, and now she's here, in my building, using my studio. The reality of it hits me again, making my chest tight.

I clench my jaw and glance at Mara's email to Sophia on one of my screens. Her attempt to warn Sophia about me burns like acid in my chest. After everything I've done for her, this is how she repays my trust.

My hand tightens around my coffee cup. Twice now, Mara has interrupted crucial moments with Sophia. First in the studio, just as I was about to... and then that phone call. The timing was too perfect to be a coincidence.

"Playing both sides, Mara?" I mutter, pulling up her communication logs. "You forget who built this system."

I scan through Mara's recent activities, noting every small act of defiance. She's getting bolder, thinking she can manipulate the situation. The irony almost makes me laugh—she's trying to protect Sophia from me while enabling everything else I do.

Standing up, I pace the length of my office. The cameras follow Sophia as she works, completely unaware of the power struggle happening around her. My fingers twitch with the need to touch her, to be near her. But Mara's interference has made Sophia cautious, planted seeds of doubt.

I pull up Mara's contract on my tablet. Perhaps it's time to remind her exactly who she works for. A few subtle changes to her responsibilities, limiting her access to certain areas of the building—especially during Sophia's scheduled studio times.

"You want to play games?" I tap my fingers against the tablet's screen. "Let's see how you manage with clipped wings."

I begin drafting a new schedule, one that will keep Mara occupied with projects across town during my planned interactions with Sophia. No more convenient interruptions. No more warnings.

And just as if I summoned her myself, footsteps announce Mara's arrival, each step echoing off my marble floor and shattering my thoughts. I don't turn around, keeping my eyes fixed on the tablet in my hands.

"Your schedule for tomorrow morning," Mara says, her voice crisp. "The board wants to discuss the new security protocols."

"Reschedule it." I wave my hand dismissively. "I'll be observing Sophia's progress on the commission."

"You mean watching her through cameras?" Mara's tone carries that edge I've grown to hate. "Adrian, this is getting out of hand."

I turn to face Mara, taking in her sleek black skirt suit and the defiant tilt of her chin. Her heels and perfectly styled bob complete the image of polished professionalism, but right now, all I see is betrayal.

"That email was a mistake." My voice comes out cold, controlled.

Mara crosses her arms. "Someone needed to warn her."

"Warn her?" I step closer, towering over her. "You mean sabotage everything I've built?"

"I'm trying to protect you from yourself." She holds her ground, but I catch the slight tremor in her voice. "This obsession—"

"Obsession?" I bark sharply, making her jump. "You work for me, Mara. Your job is to execute my plans, not judge them."

"Adrian, please. I've been by your side through everything. After what happened with Elliot—"

"Don't." The word cuts like a blade. "You don't get to use that against me."

"I see how this is affecting you. The surveillance, the manipulation—"

"The manipulation?" I laugh, harsh and sharp. "Like your perfectly timed interruptions? Those urgent calls that somehow always come when I'm with Sophia?"

Color drains from Mara's face. "You knew?"

"I built these systems. Did you really think I wouldn't notice?"

She takes a small step back. "I just thought—"

"That's the problem." I move into her space. "You're thinking too much. Questioning too much. Forgetting your place."

"My place?" A flash of anger crosses her features, but it quickly fades under my stare.

"Yes, your place. Which is to support my decisions, not undermine them." I keep my voice low, dangerous. "You're valuable to me, Mara. Don't make me question that value."

Her throat bobs as she swallows. "I understand."

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