Takedown: An Enemies to Lovers Dark Romance

by Lana Hartley

  “He says that it’s not up to him to reinstate my membership, among other bullshit. I don’t know if I believe him or not, but apparently, according to him, his hands are tied.”

  I take a break to grab my water bottle. “My day wasn’t entirely a total loss, though,” I grin.

  “Yeah?” Victor raises an eyebrow and jogs in place.

  “Do you know who Molly Quinn is?”

  Victor shakes his head. “That name doesn’t sound familiar.”

  “She’s this gorgeous girl. I’m talking super sexy, the hottest woman I’ve seen in a long time.”

  Just thinking about her brings me back to the time when I was fucking her tight little cunt.

  “What does she have to do with getting you back in the club?” Victor asks as if he doesn’t follow.

  “Her father is Richard Quinn, the owner of Quinn Industries. They’re the ones that hire the talent for the club,” I explain, and we go back to boxing.

  “So, are you trying to use her to your advantage?” Victor asks.

  “Sort of…” I say because the thought has crossed my mind.

  The thing I don’t tell him is that I’m starting to become enraptured by this girl, fucking obsessed and possessed even.

  “Did you sleep with her yet?” Victor laughs.

  “Yes,” I state and throw a punch, but Victor steps back and stops for a moment to take in my response.

  “Holy shit, dude, what the fuck are you thinking?”

  “Nothing, really.” I shrug defensively. “My plan is to ask Molly to re-instate my membership just in time for my date with Crystal,” I say, as if it’s no big deal.

  I’m willing to do whatever it takes to forget about Molly. She’s been taking up too much space in my head and heart as it is. I have to break away and the best way to do that is to bed Crystal and call it good. I gotta get back to my playboy ways.

  “I don’t know, man.” Victor shakes his head.

  “What?” I throw a punch at him, a little harder this time.

  “I just don’t want to see this plan backfire and explode in your face,” he says.

  I scoff. “I know what I’m doing.”

  “Women have a way of fucking things up, though,” Victor argues.

  “That may be true, but Molly seems pretty cool,” I admit. “Not to mention, my motivation is stronger than ever to make this plan work.”

  Victor laughs. “How is that?”

  “I still have my eye on the prize,” I remind him. “Crystal is the trophy at the end of the finish line.”

  “What about Molly?” Victor addresses the hurdle.

  “It doesn’t matter. I don’t get attached. I can date them both or none at all,” I say, though the words are hard to swallow.

  Molly’s on my brain in the worst way possible but I’m trying to convince him and myself that it’s just not true.

  “Are you going to throw a party for Lone Wolfe’s second year in business?” Victor asks as he chugs his water, changing the subject again.

  “I haven’t really thought about it,” I say honestly. “It makes sense, though,” I admit. “The production house is entering its third year with the Academy.”

  “I know, man, that’s huge. You gotta celebrate,” Victor agrees.

  “Also, my team just told me that we’re getting four nominations this year,” I gloat.

  “Congratulations, dude,” Victor says.

  “Yep, and we have over ten billion in profits so far,” I mention.

  “You really hit the ground running when you decided to build this empire,” Victor praises me as we take another break, leaning against the sides of the ring while we try to catch our breath.

  I take him round for round and he takes me. Victor is a competitive fighter to say the least. And it’s nice to have an opponent that’s actually worth my time.

  I strike a blow.

  Blood flies.

  He gets a couple jabs in.

  For the most part it’s an equal fight, though Victor still pales in comparison to me.

  He doesn’t win. Not this time.

  “Should we go for another round?” I say after a few seconds. “Or have you had enough?”

  Victor chuckles and leans over. We both have sweat visibly covering every surface inch of our bodies. “I probably need to head home soon.”

  I playfully slap his back. “Whatever, you pussy-whipped little bitch,” I tease him.

  “Don’t knock it till you try it,” Victor winks.

  “No thanks, man, your life is like my worst fucking nightmare.” I glance at him and sip my water. “No offense.”

  “None taken.” Victor’s voice drips with sarcasm as he shakes his head. “You’re one blunt and abrasive motherfucker.”

  “You still love me, though, right?” I ask with a smirk.

  “I guess I have to.” He rolls his eyes and we pat ourselves dry with a pair of ring towels.

  “Let me know how it goes with Molly,” Victor says as we head to the locker room to shower and get dressed.

  “I will,” I say. “I have a lot on my plate. Sorry if I seem distracted lately.”

  “Are you sure it’s not just because I placed too many poundings into your head just now and maybe you have a concussion?” Victor teases.

  “No way, man.” I shake my head and laugh.

  But I do have a fuck ton of things to balance in my work and personal life, that’s for fucking sure.

  Chapter 13

  Molly

  Beams of sun hit my eyes.

  I stretch and yawn, coming out of a fresh dream about him.

  It’s daylight outside.

  First, let me start off by stating that it’s never, ever fucking daylight in my room when I wake up.

  We went over this before, remember?

  Molly Quinn wakes up at five a.m.

  That’s the way I do things.

  Today is different, and it begins with the sunlight shining in my room, announcing the day and for me to wake the fuck up already.

  I stretch again and pull the covers up closer to my neck while glancing at the alarm clock on my night stand.

  Holy shit! It’s already nine o’clock in the fucking morning.

  Well…I guess we both know what that means: I’m not going into work today.

  Daddy dearest might not be too happy, but if he’s not gonna give me the credit I deserve, then fuck it, I deserve a day off.

  I grab my cell phone off the bedside table and proudly yawn as I dial Katrina’s direct line.

  I imagine her sitting in her cubicle, spanning the office wondering where the hell I am and if I’m going to show up.

  It’s a first.

  She’ll have her answer in a few seconds. I’m turning over a new fucking leaf and apparently taking my father’s advice to heart by literally lightening the fuck up.

  Oh, yeah, this new me swears a great deal, too, because I don’t fucking care anymore. Not after that shit show at lunch with my dad.

  Katrina picks up the line immediately, most likely recognizing my number, but also because it’s part of her job to answer the phone.

  “Molly?” Her voice is quizzical on the other end.

  “Hey, Katrina,” I chime, so cheerily she probably wonders if I’m surrounded by fucking Disney animals while they braid my hair and magically make my bed.

  “Are you coming into work today? It’s nine already.” Her voice reveals her concern.

  “Nope.” I shake my head, even though she can’t see me.

  “I’m sorry, is everything alright?” Katrina asks.

  “Everything is perfect,” I state.

  I don’t owe Katrina that much of an explanation; I’m her boss after all.

  “I’ll be working from home today,” I announce. “If you need me, you can text, call, or email.”

  “Okay,” Katrina says, and I can tell she’s confused.

  “You can report anything important or pressing if it comes up,” I add.

&nb
sp; “Sure thing,” she responds, and we say goodbye.

  I hang up and stretch again, savoring the fact that I don’t have to even get out of bed if I don’t want to, but who the fuck am I kidding here? I live on coffee in the morning.

  I pull my hair back into a tight ponytail and climb into some black leggings that cost me a fucking fortune. I deserve to look luxe even in my workout gear, right?

  I put on a black, strappy sports bra and prepare to run like I’ve never run before. I need to pound the pavement, or in my case the treadmill, and work off some steam...because I’m steaming for him.

  Owen makes my blood boil with want and desire and there’s no escaping it. The only way out is through.

  Fuck.

  I walk to my kitchen but stop dead in my tracks when my doorbell rings.

  Why is someone ruining my day? I pay good money to have a doorman and yet there’s no telling who he let through today.

  I’m not expecting anyone, and everyone I know will expect me to be at work, so I’m having a moment of wonder thinking about who it could be.

  I walk to the door and peer through the peephole. Then I slam my back against the door.

  It’s him.

  Owen Wolfe is at my door.

  Damn. What the hell is he doing here?

  I take three deep breaths and then swing the door open and breezily greet him with a smile. “Good morning!”

  He whips out a bouquet of stargazer lilies from behind his back. “For you,” he says in a charming voice and gives me his million-dollar handsome-as-fuck smile.

  “Wow, thanks,” I take the flowers gratefully and smell them, trying to distract myself from the hot, brooding man in doorway. “These are beautiful, what’s the occasion?”

  I move aside to allow him in.

  “Just pretty flowers for an even prettier woman,” he says with a grin, exposing his perfect set of teeth.

  “Awesome,” I say. “Why don’t you take a seat on the couch, and I’ll make us some coffee?” I suggest.

  “Perfect,” Owen says and he walks in like he owns the place.

  He’s wearing a black suit and it’s cut in such a way as to reveal his chiseled form just beneath the crisp white shirt. He looks ready for the workday and sexy as hell.

  “Cream and sugar?” I call from the kitchen, asking how he wants his cup.

  “Just cream, please, that’s great. Whatever you have is fine,” he responds politely.

  I bring the mugs and hand him one of them. “For you.” I grin.

  “Thanks.” He takes it and brings it up to his mouth. “It smells delicious.”

  I take a minute to just enjoy his dark eyes,

  “So, what are you doing here?” I get right to the point.

  “More importantly, why aren’t you at work?” he asks.

  I lean back on the back of the couch. “If you thought I would be at work, then why are you at my house?” I raise my eyebrow, taunting him.

  He rolls his eyes. “I called your secretary, who told me you weren’t coming in today.”

  “Oh…right,” I say. Now I feel fucking stupid.

  “Anyway,” he says. “I’m here to invite you to the Lone Wolfe Anniversary Celebration.” He beams with pride.

  “Hmm, a movie studio party, huh? That sounds fun,” I say. “It’s awesome you’re having a party for that. Congratulations by the way.”

  “Thank you baby,” he says.

  He catches my eye and for a moment there’s an intense heat pulsing between us. I can’t deny it. It’s real, right? I mean he must feel it too.

  I break away, unable to maintain that level of intensity with him, and I take a sip of my coffee.

  “Why didn’t you just mail me an invitation?” I chuckle.

  “Well that’s another part of the reason I’m here,” he begins and takes my hands in his. He feels warm, strong and masculine.

  “Okay,” I say and look down at our intertwining hands as my heart beats faster.

  “I want you to go as my date,” he says as if I should take this as a privilege and an honor.

  “Really?” I smile.

  “If you’ll have me,” he says with the grace of a true gentleman.

  I ponder this idea for a moment. In theory, it sounds like a fantastic idea. Maybe there will even be some celebrities there, and maybe Owen will introduce me to them.

  “Well, you can probably guess that I’m doing a personality flip here.” I laugh and cross my legs. “You know, beginning with having dinner with you the other night—”

  “To now playing hooky from work…” He grins and interrupts me.

  “Right.” I point a finger at him in agreement. “Something like that. Maybe I’m becoming more like you.”

  “I might not be the best role model for anyone,” Owen jokes.

  I laugh and think about how much fun I have when I’m around him, but more importantly how I’m actually fun, too, when we’re together. I’m trying to be more relaxed, and I hope my leisurely lifestyle plan doesn’t backfire.

  This is all for a purpose after all. I am easy, breezy, and adventurous and my father will soon see that thanks to Owen Wolfe.

  I might be using him a little bit but I’m so daft as to not realize that he’s using me right back. There’s a connection between us for sure. But Owen doesn’t quite seem like the kind of guy that would settle down.

  And me? Well, I have a business empire to conquer. I might have time for a nice fuck but there’s no time for love.

  For now, I’m content to take each second and opportunity as they arise. There’s something irresistible about Owen that draws me in, and I have a hard time saying no to him, which I’m sure he’s already used to.

  “Okay.” I nod. “Yes, I’ll be your date for your anniversary party.”

  Owen’s eyes light up. “That’s great, thank you so much.”

  “No, thank you for inviting me.” I smile at him, wondering if we’ll end up in bed together again. The funniest part of this scenario? I’m not even afraid to know what might happen. I’m not thinking about the future or anything else.

  Just one moment at a time, one step at a time.

  Owen starts to chuckle as if there’s a realization hitting him.

  “What?” I chuckle because his laughter is infectious.

  “You went from being this uptight girl to this girl who doesn’t give a fuck about anything.”

  Inside I’m flattered.

  My plan is working perfectly.

  “You think?” I say, feeling genuinely curious.

  If Owen thinks I’m adventurous then maybe my father will too and my brother will finally be demoted to Vice President where he belongs.

  “I do think,” he says, pulling me in for a kiss.

  His hot breath.

  His taste.

  His strong body.

  It all threatens to consume me and suddenly I feel okay with being taken under his control.

  Chapter 14

  Owen

  “This party is rad.”

  “Hmm?” I toss a disinterested glance Melissa’s way.

  Melissa Anderson, my secretary, is a genius. I’d be fucking lost without her. She organized this whole affair, the second anniversary party for Lone Wolfe Productions.

  It’s chic and swank and everyone who’s anyone is here.

  The Hollywood set, models, socialites, investors...the most important people in New York are all here. And I have Melissa to thank for it.

  But there’s one person who’s conspicuously absent.

  Where the fuck is Molly?

  I find my eyes scanning the room, looking for her.

  Why do I feel like this girl is mine already?

  “Look, boss,” she says, as she affectionately likes to call me. “People are pouring in from the entrance to the bar.”

  “Oh, right,” I say vaguely as I stare across the crowds of people, looking for that fucking luminous face.

  Melissa works her ass off and part of t
he reason this party is so incredible is because of her diligent dedication to not only me, but to her job as a whole as well, but I just can’t fucking concentrate on anything right now.

  We’re in the lounge of a restaurant of mine called Urban Fusion. It’s upscale and modern, just like everything I own. I like to kept my investments strong and varied over several fields of interest...real estate, restaurants, clubs, and of course, my studio.

  I hate to brag but my portfolio is expansive.

  Melissa’s sitting next to me on a black leather couch in the VIP lounge area.

  She’s trying to give me a run-through of the program for tonight, but unfortunately, my mind is somewhere else.

  I have more important issues to deal with right now, and the biggest one is whether or not Molly Quinn is going to show up and be my ‘date.’

  “Are you ignoring me?” Melissa cuts through my hazy concentration once again.

  “Huh? No, sorry, please continue.” I wave my hand at her, but she’s right; it’s a hopeless cause trying to keep me on track.

  My eyes won’t leave the entrance. I need to see her and to have her by my side. I feel possessive over her, like she’s mine already, and I want her near me or the night will be a bust.

  I’m waiting for Molly, looking with rapt attention to anyone who walks through that door, hoping that the next time I glance in that direction, I’ll see her coming towards me.

  She better get here soon or I might have to deliver a punishment in more ways than one.

  My cock strains uncomfortably against my pants at the idea of taking Molly in the office at the back of the restaurant. I envision bending her over the desk and making her mine and making her pay for being late, and for becoming my new obsession.

  “Owen?”

  This time I recognize the voice, and it’s male. I glance up to see Victor standing directly in front of me, blocking my view.

  “I have drinks, man,” he announces, and I nod when I notice two whiskeys in his hand.

  “Thanks,” I say and crane my neck to peer past him.

  Melissa’s talking about something but I don’t hear.

  Victor sits down next to me and says impatiently, “Dude, where’s your head at?”

  I pull myself back into the moment long enough to say, “What are you talking about?”