Dangerous game with my deranged master

Ivery Clark POV

Alrigo stilled and his dark gaze bore into mine, anger simmering beneath the surface like a deadly undercurrent.

"What new drama are you spinning now, Ivery?" he hissed, his voice more dangerous than ever. I swallowed hard, refusing to cower.

"It's not a drama," I said, my voice firmer than I expected. "It's the truth. If you don't believe me, fine. But you'll regret it if you don't act upon it."

His smirk returned, sharp and mocking. "The truth, huh? Funny how suddenly, out of nowhere, you grow a conscience. Or is this some pathetic attempt to prove yourself?"

"Think what you want. Send someone else to check. You'll see I'm telling the truth."

His jaw tightened, the tic in his cheek betraying his frustration. "How convenient...now you suddenly care about my business." His fingers gripped my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. "Are you spinning another web to trap me in it?"

"I'm trying to help." I snapped, heat rising in my chest. "You think I like being in this situation? You think I have anything to gain from lying to you right now?"

His eyes flashed with anger at my defiance. "Watch your tone," he warned, his voice cutting and cold. "Don't forget who you're speaking to."

Without warning, he pulled his phone from his pocket. "Dominic," he barked the second the call connected. "Arrange an urgent meeting with everyone."

His eyes found mine again, dark and unrelenting. "Fine. I'll check it out as you wish. But you...you'd better hope you're telling the truth, little pet," he warned, his tone dripping with menace. "Because if this turns out to be another game, I promise you'll regret ever opening your mouth."

The weight of his threat hung in the air, suffocating and inescapable.

"I'm not pretending to change anything," I forced myself to meet his gaze. "If this mission succeeds, I want something in return."

"Something in return..?" His laugh was low and menacing. "The mission hasn't even begun, and you're already making demands? You've grown bold. It almost makes me admire you. Almost."

"Boss," came Dominic's muffled voice from the other side.

Alrigo straightened, adjusting his jacket. "Stay put," he commanded, voice low and deliberate. "Don't try to act smart while I'm gone. Don't even breathe wrong. Just lie here and wait like a good little pet."

The word "pet" dripped from his lips like poison, sending a fresh wave of humiliation through me. The door clicked shut behind him, leaving me alone in the oppressive silence.

Five days passed in that suffocating silence. I paced the room until my legs ached, stared at the clock until the ticking felt like mockery, and listened to every distant sound like it might bring news.

Not that I cared if he came back—or at least, that's what I kept telling myself. Alrigo could drop dead for all I cared. Still, the longer the absence stretched, the more restless I felt.

Finally, a burst of noise caught my attention. Through the window, I watched him step out of a sleek black car, commanding as ever. His men gathered around him, their voices echoing in the courtyard.

I stepped away from the window, retreating to the shadows. My fingers smoothed the wrinkles from my dress, trying to still their trembling. He was back, which meant it was time.

If he thought he could brush me off or twist the deal to his favor, he was sorely mistaken. I might've been trapped in his world, but I had leverage now, and I wouldn't let him strip it away. Not without a fight.