Craving My Ruthless Ceo novel Chapter 74

Chapter 74: Either Move Fast, or Lose Her

Roman’s POV

I stood by the window overlooking the main floor, music thumping faintly through the thick glass. Below, the club was alive.

Women and men moved through the space in all kinds of ways. Some completely naked and comfortable in their skin. Some in roleplay gear, lace and silk barely covering anything. Some in clothes so small they barely counted. Others fully dressed, here to watch or ease into things slowly.

You could tell what they came for by how they dressed and acted. The new ones stayed near the bar, eyes wide, soaking it all in. The regulars moved with confidence, knowing exactly what they wanted.

I’d learned to read them all. Knew what they needed before they even asked.

The Dark Room.

That’s what we’d named it. It wasn’t quite a BDSM club, though the option was there for those who wanted it. Not a regular nightclub either. It was darker. More private. A place for people to explore their sexuality without judgment.

CEOS. Politicians. Celebrities. Old money and new money mixed together in the dark. Men in expensive suits with women on their arms who weren’t their wives. Women in power during the day who came here at night to give up control. Everyone with secrets. Everyone with needs they couldn’t satisfy anywhere else.

The beauty of The Dark Room is simple. Guaranteed privacy. What happens here stays here. Security tighter than most government buildings. Iron-clad NDAs. Cameras only in public spaces, footage wiped every night.

Zenco pitched me three years ago. I turned him down at first. I already had enough businesses, enough investments across the country. I didn’t need a club.

But then he showed me the real numbers. The profit margins. Membership fees brought in seven figures annually. Bottle service in the thousands. Private rooms renting by the hour for obscene amounts.

And he offered me something else.

My own dark world. And that was what sold me. Not the money, but the control.

A place where I held all the power. Where every rule was mine to set.

It was on the fourth floor. Private. Soundproofed. Accessible only by my fingerprint. Inside those walls, I did whatever I wanted, with women who looked like… no. I didn’t want to think about her. That part of my life was buried.

Here I tie them up. Make them beg. Push them past their limits. For a few hours, I feel something other than

rage.

They throw themselves at me willingly. But they know the rules first.

No strings. No feelings. Nothing beyond the night.

They can’t touch me. Not ever, and especially not without permission. I decide when, where, and how much contact happens.

Within their boundaries, I use their bodies however I need. It’s worked for years.

I used to come once or twice a week. To forget. To feel in control when everything else slips away.

But I haven’t been here in months.

Because of Anna.

A soft beep at the door pulled me out of my thoughts.

I already knew who it was. I crossed the room without hurry, pressed my thumb to the fingerprint scanner, and heard the lock disengage.

I didn’t wait for him to enter. I turned away from the door and headed straight for the bar cart in the corner.

Successfully unlocked!

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Chapter 74: Either Move Fast, or Lose Her

The door opened and Zenco strolled in, hands in his pocket.

“Didn’t think we’d see you here tonight. Or any night recently. What’s it been? Three months?”

I poured myself a glass of scotch and took a gulp. The burn felt good going down.

“Work. I’ve been busy.”

“Bullshit.”

I shot him a look, but he just grinned, that cocky smile he wore when he knew he was right.

I poured another glass and held it out to him.

Zenco took it but didn’t drink. Just held it, watching me.

“Work has never stopped you from coming around before. Even if not to play, at least to check on things. Make sure everything’s running smoothly.”

His eyes narrowed, studying my face. “What’s really going on?”

I turned back to the window. Below, a woman in a sheer dress walked past. I recognized her. She wore a mask tonight, trying to hide her identity. It didn’t work.

She glanced up at the window like she could see through it. She couldn’t. One-way glass. But the instinct was there.

“I trust your judgment in running this place. You don’t need me hovering.”

Zenco laughed, sharp and quick. “Oh, you’re trying to flatter me. Which means you definitely don’t want to talk about whatever’s bothering you.”

He moved to stand beside me, following my gaze to the floor below.

“How’d the Beaumont deal go?”

Despite myself, I grinned. “Closed officially today.”

“That’s great news!” Zenco turned to me, his whole face lighting up. “That’s huge. Why aren’t you celebrating?” He paused, his eyes scanning my face, reading me the way he always did.

“Instead, you look like you’re sulking.”

“It’s a huge win for the company. But it’s not my hundredth major deal like this. After a while, they start to feel the same.”

Zenco’s eyebrows shot up. His mouth actually fell open a little.

“Are you serious right now?”

“What?”

“Roman, you’re the most work-obsessed person I know. You pour everything into deals like this. You live for them. And now you’re telling me closing a quarter-million-dollar deal doesn’t excite you anymore?”

He shook his head slowly, like he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“Something’s wrong.”

I turned away, taking another drink to avoid answering.

Everything was wrong. But I couldn’t explain it. Couldn’t put into words how every success felt empty now. How closing deals that used to give me a rush now just felt like going through the motions. How the only time

I felt anything real was when Anna walked into my office with her shy smile and those eyes that saw too much.

“Oh.” Zenco’s voice changed, getting that knowing tone I hated. “I know what this is about.”

“What?” I kept my voice flat.

“Anna. Your assistant has you wrapped around her finger.”

“That’s bullshit,” I countered immediately, though deep down in my heart I didn’t know if it was the truth.

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Chapter 74: Either Move Fast, or Lose Her

“Is it?” Zenco leaned against the window frame, crossing his arms. “Laurent told me everything.”

My hand tightened on the glass. “What did he tell you?”

“That he believes you have feelings for Anna. That you wouldn’t let him near her during the negotiations. That you almost tanked a quarter-million-dollar deal because of your assistant.”

He paused, his eyes locked on mine.

“That’s quite telling, don’t you think?”

“That son of a…” I stopped, anger flaring hot in my chest. “Laurent had no right to discuss my business with you.”

“You’re deflecting.” Zenco shrugged, not backing down. “I’m worried about you.”

“There’s nothing to worry about. Anna is my assistant. That’s it.”

“And Laurent?”

“Laurent is a fake. All charm and no substance. He’s trying to get her into bed, and Anna isn’t that kind of girl.” Zenco studied me, his head tilted slightly.

“I admit Laurent can be a womanizer. And yes, he’s charming. But from the way he’s spoken about Anna, I think he really likes her.”

“Are you insane?” I turned to face him fully, my brows furrowing. “How could you believe him? Have you seen him around Anna? He’s acting like a horny teenager looking to score. I wouldn’t let him have his way with her…..

”

“How would you stop him?” Zenco cut me off. “Laurent can go to any length to get the girl he’s set his mind on. You don’t know him as well as I do.”

“I won’t let it happen.” The words came out through gritted teeth.

Zenco smirked. “Talk is cheap.”

I glared at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“The only way to stop him is to go a step ahead of him. Tell Anna how you feel. Get into a relationship with her.”

I shook my head immediately. “You know my rules. I never date my employees.”

“Rules.” Zenco’s voice hardened, his eyes flashing. “These same rules that made you shut the world out without giving anyone a chance? The rules that have kept you stuck in the past, refusing to move on? That keep you coming here instead of actually dealing with what you feel?”

I lifted my hand. “Don’t.”

“I’m your friend, Roman. I’m allowed to call you on your shit.”

He stepped closer, his hand reaching out like he was going to touch my shoulder, then thinking better of it. “I really think you like this girl. From everything I’ve seen, you care about her.”

I turned away, glancing back at the club, hoping the noise would distract me or dull the weight of his words pressing down on me.

“Keep wasting time.” Zenco placed a hand on my shoulder, squeezing once. “And she might end up with Laurent. He’s not backing down. So either move fast, or lose her.”

I walked away from him, heading back to the bar cart. Poured another glass and gulped it down in one shot.

“I’m not discussing this anymore.”

“Fine.” Zenco drained his glass, setting it down with a loud thud. “Then at least meet someone. I have a friend. She’s exactly your type and she’s looking to explore. Beautiful. Brunette. Model figure. She knows the rules.”

I refused to look at him. “Not interested.”

“Come on, Roman. You’re wound so tight you’re going to snap.” He pulled out his phone, already scrolling.”

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