Cunning Vows: Enemies to Lovers Dark Romance (Lethal Vows Book 3)
Chapter 3

One week after tolerating being in the same room as River for the first time, I’m sitting out front of one of my luxurious homes. I have several residences, all catering to different engagements and businesses. I’m particularly fond of this one since it hosts one of my favorite auctions.

Being in the underworld for as long as we have, almost nothing is off-limits. And every auction has a time and place. Like tonight, which has finally ended, the last of our patrons leave with items they couldn’t so easily acquire elsewhere to satisfy their tastes.

“Pleasure doing business with you,” Mr. Fox says with his man carrying a briefcase.

“We look forward to your continued business during the next auction,” I say without a smile. Because I don’t smile and will only offer minimal pleasantries.

His gaze roams down my body but only briefly. His complexion turns pale as Clay steps closer into my space and looms behind me. Mr. Fox all but runs down the stairs to his waiting car.

“I don’t need you to mark your territory,” I chastise him.

“My apologies,” he says.

I’m used to men like Mr. Fox. The thing they don’t realize is, I charge them an extra million as an increase to their membership for glances like the one he just bestowed on me.

I admire my brick mansion, which often reminds me of a home one might read about in a fairy tale. That’s what drew me to it at first. It was different from all the boring white homes in the nearby neighborhoods. And mostly, I enjoyed the large chimney and black roof tiling.

It was the first mansion Alek and I purchased before even buying our own personal homes. So it holds a special place in my dark heart. But without Alek here, it feels almost foreign and lonely to me now. A transactional place of business. It’s lost all the charm that I appreciated it for in the first place.

Kicking my heels off, I glance at the driveway to see a set of headlights coming my way.

Who the fuck is coming up my gated driveway? I remain standing on the porch as it gets closer. Vance walks out of the front entrance and leans over my shoulder.

“It’s River, miss. He was at the gate and said he had your money and didn’t plan to leave until you saw him. Shall I stay?”

My nose naturally points higher into the air. I thought I made it abundantly clear that I would only see him under my terms. And I still have no intention of giving him the time of day. It’s obvious this man is superbly stubborn or stupid and needs to be taught simple etiquette while on my turf.

“Leave.” I wave Vance off, unimpressed he let River through the gate in the first place. Clay, however, I allow to remain by my side.

The sleek black Porsche comes to a stop in front of the porch. The car door opens, and a black-booted foot meets the driveway, then its match does the same. It takes a second before he fully comes into view. He shuts the door and turns to look at me. His hair is dark, so dark that I wonder how he got such beautiful autumn eyes that are so opposite his hair. His face is tan, and his full lips open as he says my name.

“Anya,” he says, as smooth as melting butter. I don’t reply as I note his empty hands, no money in sight. Is that not why he came? I don’t have time for people who insist on wasting my time.

“Nice house.” He nods to the house as he steps closer. I don’t like how he invites himself onto my property or the way he acts as if he has a right to be here.

I stay where I am, two steps up from where he is, where we’re at eye level, then he places one foot up onto the next step. When I arch a challenging eyebrow, he takes the hint and doesn’t take another step.

He offers a charismatic smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. I look at his shiny boot as he speaks, making it apparent that I replace his shoes far more interesting than him. “We need to talk business. I’ve given you time to return my numerous invitations, and I’ve been respectful in your territory. But my patience grows thin.”

“Respectful?” I scoff, still looking at his shoes as he takes one more step up, now leaving only one to separate us. He stands over me now, but it offers no intimidation. I only wish I kept my heels on. I cross my arms over my chest and finally look up at him. This man doesn’t know a lick of what respect is. If he did, he would have never come. Not here, not tonight. And not on our turf at all.

“Yes, I am a guest in your kingdom, and I would like to become a business partner.”

“Business partner?” I question. “I don’t have business partners. I do have people who wish to work for me, though.”

That arrogant smile once again blossoms on his lips. “Oh, I’ve heard stories about those who work for you. But also those you work in conjunction with, for example Dawson Taylor.”

I narrow my gaze. My dealings with Dawson are an exception. As he runs the largest escort business in the area, we struck up a deal where we facilitate his virgin auctions and receive a cut for minimal work and effort. But only a few know of our agreement.

River seems pleased with himself. “Would you not call him a business partner?”

“No, I would not. The only business partner I have in this is my brother,” I tell him.

My fucking brother, who refuses to answer my calls after leaving me in the lurch. I know he listens to my voice messages because it would be full by now. I wouldn’t be able to leave any more, which means he’s deleting them. He knows I know this. So I think it’s his way of telling me, without actually telling me, that he’s alive. That doesn’t make me any less pissed, though.

“Yes, I’m aware. So where is your brother?” River locks eyes with me, and I wonder what he sees.

Can he hear my thoughts? Because there’s no way anyone can read my expression. Does he see a broken, tormented woman trying to replace her brother or a strong unmoving businesswoman? Not that his opinion matters to me. No man’s opinion ever has. But I wonder with River.

One would almost assume that, like most men, he has a problem with dealing with me instead of my brother because I’m a woman. I’ve had to teach many in the past how that’s their mistake. And if rumor alone hasn’t been enough for him, then maybe this man is all looks and no brains.

The thought brings a venomous smile to my expression.

“You don’t really seem to be the type to take orders from a woman… Lake, was it?” I say his name wrong on purpose.

His jaw tics, and he takes the last step up closer to me. Now, if I want to look at him, I’ll have to look up. I don’t. Instead, I look down at his cock—the only attribute I appreciate in a man.

“No, I guess you can say I’m not that type of man. But I am the type who doesn’t take orders from anyone. I’m someone who will play nice until it’s no longer necessary, Tanya.” My lip twitches at his misuse of my name.

“I don’t like you,” I tell him, straight up.

“I have a feeling you don’t like many people, so I’m not offended,” he says with a smile.

“Miss,” Clay calls from behind me at the front door. River’s gaze darts to him, as if only noticing him for the first time, but is quick to move back to me. I wave Clay away, and I hear his footsteps retreat back to stand beside the door, and I face forward again.

“A wave of your hand and men do your bidding,” River observes. “Let me tell you something, Tanya.” He pauses, as if he is waiting for me to correct him.

I don’t.

He should know better.

And that alone is a strike against him.

“I think women are good for one thing—”

“Where is my money?” I interrupt before he can finish.

Because it’s the only thing we might be in agreement about: the opposite sex is only good for one thing.

One of his hands scrubs at his jaw. “I don’t like you, and I think you are surviving in a man’s world.”

“Luckily for you, the world doesn’t turn on a man’s opinion,” I shoot back. “Now, give me the money and then fuck off. I’m tired and I’m ready for bed.”

“Do you talk this way to all your partners?”

Taking a deep breath, I wonder if I should kill him now. I mean, then I could at least get some sleep, right?

“I’ve told you, you are not, nor ever will be, my partner. Now, drop the fucking money at my feet and leave.”

He kicks up a smile. I expect him to snark back—I almost look forward to it—but instead, he takes a few steps back, his gaze never leaving mine, and it’s somehow mocking and condescending. I want to punch him right in that immaculate jaw of his and wipe the smug expression from his features.

River reaches for a bag in the trunk of his car and casually carries it over, as if he has all day. He drops it at my feet. Clay steps forward and picks the bag up for me. I’ll be fucked if I’m kneeling in front of this man. When Clay brings it to me, I unzip the bag, reach in to check the contents, and when I see the money, I zip it up and take the bag. Then I turn straight for the door, Clay and Vance standing to cover my back in unison.

“Now we talk business,” River adds, as if I’ve missed some part of the transaction.

“Now I go to sleep.” I don’t bother looking back or waving goodbye as I walk into the mansion.

“Anya.” He says my name correctly this time, and a smile tugs at my lips, but I don’t give him the satisfaction of looking back. I know Clay and Vance won’t let him pass through. I drop the bag inside the door, purposely tearing off my clothes before my men close the door behind me.

This isn’t my main home, but at times, I’ll use the facilities here, just like now.

Naked, I walk toward the spare room without a care in the world. Except one. The only one that’s tormented me these past weeks. I press call on Alek’s number, and after a few rings, it goes straight to voicemail.

“You left me to deal with everything. Fucking left me!” I scream. “He’s annoying, and you should be here dealing with him. He thinks because I’m a woman that I am less, but I guess he doesn’t know me. Maybe I’ll blow up his pretty little car. Do you think I would prove my point then?”

I wait for a response, even though I know one will never come. Usually by now Alek would reprimand me to keep a cool head or encourage me to teach them a lesson. And although he is a man of few words, I miss his presence. I miss the calm and ease he always put over me since we were children.

But that’s not now. Something is shifting. This River guy brought a different energy with him. I’ve dealt with plenty of new blood on my own. Alek and I are a team and a unified front in most of our decisions. But it looks like I’ll be dealing with this one on my own.

I hang up, knowing he won’t talk back. It’s a voicemail after all. I sigh.

People ask for him, and I can’t keep them at bay forever. I don’t want to be alone in this business. For all its perks, we only pursued this because we had each other.

River is a nuisance. Ever demanding and arrogant.

I have to shake him.

But I know someone like him will not give up so easily.

Neither do I.