Takedown: An Enemies to Lovers Dark Romance

by Lana Hartley

  Luckily with my own indoor gym, I can afford to just pop in further down the penthouse and be in my own world. I don’t have to worry about bumping into other runners when I can do it in the comfort of my own home.

  I grab a pair of shorts. I just need my sneakers and I’m good to go. As soon as I walk into the gym, the lights brighten the space and I turn up some high-tempo music. After a short warm-up with the music pumping loud in the soundproof room, I decide to increase the speed.

  I can’t get Elia out of my fucking mind. I thought that being away from the bed would help do that. It’s as if I’m a fucking drug addict and all I see is her face. I think back to our date, when she said that she had plans for the store.

  She knows that a real presence is missing in the store. It’s not just about the books. There are book conventions, author signings, and the store has none of that. It needs to do more than just sell books; it needs real authors to come in and have signings or team up with wine stores and do other kinds of promotions. So many fucking ideas, and the more she talked the more I loved to watch her enthusiasm.

  The type that Ryan has never shown any interest in doing, if he did then maybe the store wouldn’t be in a mess.

  That’s fucking it.

  It’s not about buying it, it’s about giving her something that she can make real use of. The store. The one that she’s so passionate about. That’s fucking it!

  I’ll give her one present that she’ll never forget. She won’t just be working at the bookstore. She’ll be owning it. That’s an investment in my future, her future...

  And if I’m honest, it is an investment in my daughter Rose’s future. Because I know I’m getting serious about Elia.

  Elia

  The best part of this week is that Ryan’s not here. It means that I can get on with my job hunting. The sooner I don’t have to worry about coming to work and bumping into him, the better.

  “What do you think happened to Ryan?” Becca asks as soon as we stop and have a quick coffee break. We’re not stopping from helping all the customers. We’re just taking a break from re-arranging the book displays hoping that someone will stop by and shop. Anyone! Just so that we can sell something for a change.

  “I don’t know,” I say, shrugging, because I really don’t care. I’m just glad he’s not here. “Maybe he had other things to do and couldn’t make it?”

  “Still, he usually tells us something before disappearing like this. He just left a note. Who does that in this day and age?”

  I stop for a minute to look at her, wondering why she’s so damn curious. I am starting to feel really paranoid. I’m not sure who to trust right now, and after recent events with Ryan and how clueless I was about his true intentions, I decide I’ll choose not to trust anyone until proven otherwise. At least until I do know what’s going on with Ryan.

  “What could he even be doing?” Becca asks. I don’t know why and I just feel uncomfortable with this whole conversation now.

  I bite my lip and think about something else to talk about. I need to stop just sipping my coffee and get to work or make some calls. There’s just one problem. I don’t trust Becca right now, so I prefer not to do it in front of her.

  “We could just move that display nearer the front? Everyone’s reading all the erotic books these days.”

  “Sure, but they prefer to get them on Kindle because they don’t want people knowing what they’re reading.”

  I nod my head thinking that I remember seeing a report about it. “Thing is, with Naughty Angel Publishing getting so big, I think people are really crowding stores to get their titles. We need to give them a display upfront. Have you read Cindersmellya?”

  Becca looks at me, confused, and I’m about to explain to her how she’s missing out on an awesome book smut revolution as people collect paperbacks of their favorite book boyfriends...but then Eric walks into the store in a dark blue suit and a silver tie.

  I’m glad that Rebecca and I are no longer alone in the store. I can have someone else to talk to, and it won’t involve the whereabouts of Ryan.

  And of course i’m thrilled to see Eric. I can’t hide that from you. I don’t want to. I mean you know every move I tried in the bedroom, and dining room, is because I do read the Naughty Angel books. I’m getting my orgasms. Why shouldn’t I be happy to see the man that offers them up so freely.

  Now I get that shirt everyone had a few years back. Orgasm Donor. Wonder if Eric’s driver’s license has that on it...

  “Hey!” I call out with enthusiasm, moving from behind the counter to greet him without thinking about it. He looks so hot..I wish that my shift was over so that we could go back to his, the place that I’m starting to call my second home lately. We spend more time hanging at his than mine. His penthouse is bigger, and I just love chilling in the open space and not in my small studio apartment. Because he hasn’t had his daughter, it was a good way for me to spend time with him that he says he normally spends with Rose.

  “I didn’t expect you to come in today.”

  The tight expression on his face melts when I throw my arms around his neck for a quick hug. I pull away in the next second with a flush growing on my face as my mind catches up to what my body is doing. I’m not even hiding there’s something going on between us.

  “Hey, back,” he says with a small smile. “I wanted to come and surprise you.”

  Then his eyes dart to the open back door. He probably thinks that Ryan has come back from the unexpected trip he claimed that he had to take. He left a note for Becca saying that she’s in charge until he comes back. Ryan was vague about that piece of information, too.

  This is only adding to my distrust of Becca, of course.

  I touch his arm and pull back. “Ryan hasn’t come back in yet.”

  “Good!”

  I give him a sheepish look and move away from Becca, who’s watching us like a hawk.

  “I’m stepping outside for a bit.” I tell her, not looking at her still.

  I tug on Eric’s arm for us to leave, but he’s standing still and telling Becca, “We’re going out to lunch. I’ve got a couple of hours free.”

  She mumbles, “It’s a bit early for lunch.”

  “Coffee, then.”

  “Elia,” Rebecca’s dark eyes cast over me as she moves closer to us, “I need to go out to the optometrist. You said that you would cover for me, and Dana’s coming in an hour to help you out. So, you can’t really go out now.”

  Wow, where did that come from? This is literally the first I’m hearing of any of this.

  Just then Eric’s phone rings, and he steps out to take the call. Meanwhile, in a flash, Becca manages to grab her purse and is heading out the door.

  What the heck just happened to today!I wait for Eric to come back in, but then he simply kisses me on the cheek.

  “It seems that I do need to go back to the office, I have a walk-in. Allergy season scares a lot of parents, probably nothing major,” Eric says with his trademark charming smile that makes me want to melt. “Don’t forget that I’m picking you up for dinner. You finish at seven tonight, right?”

  I nod my head.

  “Good, I’ll be on time...don’t be late.”

  “Sure, see you later, hon,” I say, narrowing my eyes at him but laughing.

  Then like that, I’m alone in the store again. This time I don’t have a creepy boss to worry about, or anyone working with me. There’s only one thing to do, start writing applications for a new job.

  ***

  Seven on the dot, Eric’s at the bookstore to pick me up. Dana didn’t arrive to take over from Becca, and when I called her to find out if she was on her way, she said that she’s not due in until tomorrow, which means that Becca lied, which makes no sense. I don’t get why she would lie about a thing like that. I was going to talk to Eric about this whole weirdness at work in the restaurant, but I don’t think that I can wait that long to vent to someone. I feel like I’m losing my mind or something.r />
  “You know the weird thing?”“What?” he says as he takes a corner. I don’t even ask what restaurant we’re going to. I just can’t get over the way Becca was acting and then I think about a couple of girls yesterday. They were doing the same thing. It feels as if everyone’s in the know about our relationship or something, and they don’t want to talk to me about it.

  “I’ve noticed a few times at the store, whenever I come across the girls grouped together they’re either laughing or talking in hushed tones, but as soon as they see me, they stop.”

  “Okay? I don’t want to sound like a dick, but doesn’t like all of mankind, and womankind, do that?”I sigh as I realize I sound like a little kid complaining about the other kids on the playground during recess.

  “So, what do think’s going on?”

  “Eric, I think they know about when you punched Ryan and this is why they’re acting this way. Maybe they think I’m sleeping with the new owner.”

  “Oh, Elia, you worry too much, babe.” He picks up my hand and kisses it. I love the way his lips touch my hand so tenderly.

  “The only thing you need to worry about is having enough energy for tonight.”

  He winks at me, and I smile. I’m a bit annoyed about the way that he dismissed the subject, but then I think that I won’t be working there anymore. Eric and I don’t discuss the purchase, but it’s clear that the way things are with Ryan disappearing that the likelihood of him selling to Eric is pretty non-existent...even if Eric doesn’t want to admit it.

  Eric

  As we entered Bella Nocte, I expected Elia to be a bit enthusiastic, but she just smiled as we sat down at our table.

  “This is one of the top restaurants in the country.” I smile at her, but her mood doesn’t change. Of course, I know that she doesn’t care about fancy restaurants.

  But she told me once that she wanted to taste real Tiramisu, and I told her that I would have to take her to have the best. That’s at Bella Nocte.

  “Order for me,” she says as we're given our menus, waving it away as if the sight of it was too much to bear.

  Did I miss something? I know that she liked when I ordered for her at Thai Palace, when Elia wasn’t sure what she wanted. Now it just seems like she’s sure that she doesn’t want to be here.

  I remember her talking in the car about something weird going on with her coworkers, but the way she’s sitting in front of me, pushing food around her plate, tells me maybe I should’ve offered more support and insight into the issue. I don’t know what I could say, though.

  “A penny for your thoughts?”

  “What?”

  I roll my eyes. “Elia, it’s like eating with one of your customers in the bookstore.”

  “No one’s ever in there.” She seems utterly confused by my little joke.

  “Exactly!”

  She gives me a sheepish smile, then looks down with a sigh.

  Elia is not her usual self. Not the vivacious, lively girl that I’m falling for. She’s so withdrawn right now and I want to help.

  “What’s wrong? It would be easier if you just told me.” I give her my undivided attention as I push my chair back and cross my arms. Maybe I was too harsh in the car, and I should’ve told her to wait until we got here. I don’t know. Fuck! This whole thing is new to me. Dating. Being a boyfriend. At times it’s so fucking easy, and at other times, it’s so fucking complicated and a constant guessing game.

  She chews thoughtfully on her lips, and I wait. I feel as if new diners are coming in and eating and leaving in the time that it’s taking her to spit it out. I just don’t want to push her. But I’m losing patience because I hate that Elia is so wound up. I just want her to feel happy again.

  “I wanted to bring this up with you,” she says slowly. “I’m just not sure how to say it…” she trails off, nibbling her lip. Finally, her eyes meet mine on a sigh. “It’s about work.”

  Elia wants to talk about the store again, when before tonight, she’s been talking about going for another job. But by the time she finds one, she’ll be the proud new owner of the same store, but without a creepy boss.

  “What about work?”

  “Well, it’s about us. No one has said anything,” she says timidly. “More like in how they act, you know? I can't say I know what they’re thinking, but I doubt it’s anything good. I just don’t understand why Becca ran off like that today and before you came in, she was going on about why Ryan left the store like that. He left her a note. He never called, and his phone was switched off.”

  I immediately switch off the moment she mentions his name. I can tell it’s bothering her. So, I ask the magic question, “What do you think should happen from now on? Is there something I need to do?”Apart from not punching her boss into the next season. I can’t think of anything that I’ve done wrong to date.

  She shrugs, and I can see that this conversation’s on the road to nowhere. So, I crack a little joke, “After I buy the store, I could fire them all. Would that make it easier?”

  “Please take this seriously, Eric.” She picks up some salad and then puts it back down. “I’m not really in the mood to eat right now.”

  She frowns and then crosses her arms.

  “I don’t get it. Lunch time you were all happy, and now we’re out, and you’re acting as if this is the last place that you want to be. Maybe I should just ask for the check.”

  I’m about to lift up my arm to signal for the bill to get out of here.

  “Great, now I’ve ruined dinner.”

  I lift up my hands in surrender. “No, you haven’t. I’m sorry. Forget I said anything and we’ll go..”

  I move closer to her and whisper, “But I love spending time with you.”

  I cup her face, and her eyes beam. “I love being with you. And most of all I love you. I’m not going to apologize for that. Never.”

  “Oh, Eric, I love you, too!”

  She wraps her arms around me, and the realization of my words start to hit home. Did I just tell her that I love her? To make matters worse, she didn’t hesitate in saying the same thing back. We just started dating, at this rate I’m not only going to be buying her a business that she loves, but a home too with me in it.

  Now, surprising her is starting to seem like less and less of a good idea. I need her to meet my daughter.

  I’m building this whole life for us, dropping an “I love you” when it distracts her most, and I almost feel skeevy.

  You know I’m buying her the bookstore to make her happy, right? I mean, don’t you think I can make it long enough to close the deal before Elia loses her mind at work?

  Eric

  I dropped Elia at home after dinner last night, claiming that I had early patients and I didn’t want to wake her up in the morning. The last thing I had on my mind was sex. Fuck! I need to introduce her to Rose, and she’s already practically moved in.

  Even if Elia loves me, it doesn’t mean she wants all of this. I am starting to feel like I moved us forward too fast. I didn’t mean to even tell Elia that I love her, even though I know it’s true.

  There’s a knock on the door, and I know that it’s Jessica on the other side. Anything to take me away from thinking about Elia is a welcome distraction so that my subconscious can sort this out instead of me worrying and not finding solutions.

  “Come in!”

  Jessica shakes her head as she enters, and I know that it’s not good news. I thought this was a done deal. The guy Ryan is a real fucking slime ball.

  “Damn that bastard! Why’s he still refusing to sell? I thought it was a done deal!”

  I stand up and get my ball and throw it in the direction of the hoop on the other side of the door. Something that I do once in awhile. Just so that I keep moving around, and I don’t end up spending most of the day just sitting down when I’m not seeing patients. Plus, the kids love to use the second hoop that I have lower on the door..

  She closes the door behind her. “Well, have you talk
ed to him?”

  “It’s not like I haven’t tried, Jessica. The guy’s disappearing every week. Ryan hasn’t been back to the bookstore in over three weeks. He left one of the girl’s a note saying that he’ll be away for a while and that was it. Why is this one so difficult?”

  I score a hoop; maybe there’s light at the end of the tunnel.

  “I thought the lawyers were in the process of getting the contracts signed and that’s all we were waiting for?”

  She sighs as she sits down and crosses her legs. It’s as if she’s talking to a child who’s not concentrating in class.

  “They were, but then Ryan sacked his lawyer and didn’t appoint a new one.” she takes her time crossing her other leg.

  Is she flirting with me?

  She’s looking directly at me as she does it, and I don’t attempt to shoot a hoop again as I become distracted, but then I shake my head as I think about Elia. The one that I’ve committed to even if I did tell her that I love her by accident.

  She smiles. “Before you ask me about Will, the PI who’s been trying to get ahold of you these last few days. Anyway, he says that Ryan keeps giving him the slip. He has a lead one day, and the next he’s gone. I don’t understand it at all. There are other bookstores. It’s not as if this is the only one.”

  She stands up as if she’s bored of talking about this one bookstore. The one that I need to buy for Elia.

  “We either find a way around him or find a way to pin this guy down!” I say as I shoot another hoop. I’m really on fire today, but I can’t find another way around this situation. Maybe I could just go and buy another bookstore for Elia. It doesn’t have to be this particular one. Then again, maybe this whole idea isn’t a good one to begin with?