🥀 6 🥀

~♡~

"Are you for real?" Nat all but screeched down the other end of the phone, making Lyla hold it away from her ear a little.

"Yup. He's sending over this contract I guess this afternoon. Is it bad that I'm contemplating this?" Lyla asks her friend, hoping for a harsh wake up call to reality.

Never in her wildest dreams did she think she'd be a sugar baby. The name made her cringe internally. But she knew it wasn't like that.

Loki obviously needed someone by his side at events he could trust not to fuck up, and somehow he saw Lyla as worthy of that.

How Lyla fit the bill, she had no idea. It still felt like they barely knew each other. But something about being around the most divine creature she'd ever laid eyes on had made all logic go out the window.

"Right, well I'll swing by later before you sign it to look it over. Trust me, I had to do a tonne of these before so I'll make sure it's legit. I mean, did you even talk about your boundaries?" Nat emphasised the last word as her voice went a little quieter.

Lyla flushed red at the conversation from the previous night, as she sat down onto her couch in her apartment, picking at the skin on her lips in anxiety.

"Yeah...how do you navigate that? We did end up kissing. I know you want me to be careful Nat, after everything that happened with you, but I feel confident I know what I'm going into. Plus as much as it goes against every part of my feminism, I really could do with the money. So what's a few nice dinners and events here and there?" Lyla pressed, almost trying to reassure herself more than her overprotective best friend.

Nat sighed. "I do want you to be careful. Not just because of what the brothers are involved in but the feelings that get tangled up in this too. Just promise me one thing, if you feel yourself starting to fall for him, not lust, actual love, you will end it. Trust me. It only ends in heartbreak." Nat concluded sadly.

It was rare for Nat to be this vulnerable around Lyla. But she appreciated that she'd been in a similar position before and could guide her.

"I can do that. Besides Nat, I think we both know I'm never falling in love again. I swore to myself I wouldn't. So this is better." Lyla retorted with a bitter sting to her voice, clearing her throat at the vulnerable memories forming there.

"Well if you're happy, then I'm happy for you. But I still don't trust the guys and I work for them. Speaking of, Thor rang me and has asked me to do another event for them. Some poker night he's hosting." Nat described in a casual manner.

Lyla didn't let it go unnoticed that Nat was playing it extra cool. It was obvious Thor had taken a shining to her. But then again, this wasn't an unusual occurrence for her hot redhead friend.

Lyla moved from picking her lips to twirling a strand of silky hair on her fingers instead, unable to sit still on a phone conversation. Especially when all she could think about when she had closed her eyes last night was the smell of his godamn cologne wafting straight to her core...

"That's great Nat. Well done. They obviously loved what you did with the last event." Lyla murmured, pulling herself back from her lust filled thoughts.

"Alright. Don't do anything with the contract. I'll be over later. I know this is weird, but I'm proud of you for getting out of your comfort zone Ly. I swear to God though, you get caught in any of their shady shit and I'll put a hit out on them myself." Nat teased, trying to diffuse the sincerity she'd just uttered before.

Lyla laughed half-heartedly. It was definitely something at the back of her mind.

But the danger felt delicious to her boring, and uneventful, life right now.

Who the hell had she become overnight?

Concluding their call and hanging up, Lyla picked up a book she was currently reading from the coffee table.

Most people who spent all day at work around literature would want to be as far away from it as possible at home. But Lyla saw many hundreds of books a day she never had time to delve into, so her evenings were often filled with losing herself in a good read.

She loved them all. From classics, to modern feminism, to thrillers and non-fiction books about astronomy. Any information she could absorb to transform her out of her dull life, into something bigger than herself, was her greatest strength.

Lyla looked over her book at the black Dior dress of Nat's she'd worn the night before, hanging over the back of the yellow armchair opposite her. It looked so out of place in her quirky and bohemian home. Like she'd been pretending to be something she wasn't.

She loved wearing that dress, but designer items felt strange against her skin when Nat let her borrow them. She wondered if she'd tried to be someone she wasn't for Loki.

Her apartment, despite being run down, was made up of eclectic items she'd collected since living independently. Her velvet orange couch with its embroidered cushions scattered around from flea markets, bookcases to the ceiling filled with all sorts of novels, mostly ones borrowed from the library as she couldn't afford such editions herself.

Houseplants sat in metallic vases and hung lazily off shelves, their vines weaving off the wood. Art adorned Lyla's walls but it was mostly cover art from books: the classic face from the Great Gatsby in a black frame above her TV, and the eye image from 1984 to its right. Lyla had always loved her world of literature.

The only other things on display on the walls were photos of her and Nat when they were younger, wire art of Freida Kahlo above her bed and her degree certificate in an ornate frame. Her flat was organised chaos, as she liked to call it. But everything in there was meaningful, in sentimental value.

That didn't mean Lyla had never dreamt of riches. Seeing the life Nat had been able to create for herself after college had made her envious. The possibilities that money could bring, the travel, the food, the places.

Lyla had never had such luxuries growing up poor with her mother, who had sadly passed away when she was young, leaving her to temporarily move in with Nat at the age of seventeen. Natasha's gritty, yet endearing, Russian mother, Melina, had always been a second parent to her anyway and had gladly taken her in when all was lost.

As for her father, Lyla had never met him. She never felt such a figure was missing from her life. But it might explain why she felt uncomfortable around certain male presences. And her choice of ex-boyfriends...

All of this had led to Lyla's current imposter syndrome when it came to relationships. She believed, no she knew, that men were not to be trusted and rarely wanted her for who she actually was, rather than what she could provide them.

This is why Lyla's heart had been neatly packaged up and tucked away.

This is also why the arrangement had sounded so appealing, despite the mysterious and dangerous man behind it pulling all the strings.

Lyla was dragged out of her thoughts by the sound of her buzzer going. She carefully places the book back down on the coffee table and paces to the intercom.

"Hello?" She asks into the receiver.

"I have a delivery for a Miss Lyla Glass." The voice rang out.

Lyla flinched a little at the use of her last name when she realises it must be the contract Loki was sending over. She never remembered giving him her surname, then again, she had never given him her address either.

"I'll buzz you up." She replies, shaking off the confusion and opening the latches on her door.

Soon enough, a man appeared holding a sealed envelope loaded with documents inside that read 'CONFIDENTIAL' on the front. Lyla gulped at how real this was becoming.

What Lyla hadn't noticed, was that in his other arm, he held a hatbox of crimson red roses lined with diamonds in the centres of the petals.

Lyla placed the documents on the table by her door, taking the overflowing box out of the man's hands in awe.

"Whoever gave you those must really like you ma'am." He notes, gesturing towards the luxurious bouquet and Lyla's speechless face.

Never had she seen something so lavish in her life.

She was brought out of her shock as the delivery man brought a tablet out his pocket for her to sign, signifying she received the documents and flowers.

Lyla had no doubt Loki would be getting an instant notification of them being delivered, liking to oversee everything. She thanks the man, eyes still wide as she shuts the door and brings both items to the coffee table.

The roses in their obsidian box were stunning. The diamonds encrusted on the petals shone under the sun's rays beaming in through her open windows. The smell radiating off them smelt like pure wealth.

Lyla saw a small black gift card, peeking out of the middle. Delicately clasping it, she brought it to her eyes to read, her heart beating with excitement.

Dearest Lyla,A small token of appreciation to say thank you for your company at dinner yesterday evening and agreeing to our arrangement. I hope you like them.

Be in touch, Loki.

Lyla breathed at the looped calligraphy as she trails her fingers over the words. Never had someone thanked her for her company before.

She knew this was flattery to sweeten her for the deal that lay in a sealed envelope before her. But it sure was working.

Opening the envelope carefully, she was surprised at how thick the wad of documents was. Pages and pages of terms and conditions danced in front of her eyes which made her heart sink. There was no way she could go through all of this and understand it.

Lyla felt eternally grateful that Nat would be coming by to look over it later. She didn't trust anyone else with the sensitive nature, knowing if she called any other friends for help she would be judged instantly.

Turning to the last page of the pile, she saw Loki had signed his full name in near-perfect handwriting, the name circling over the small space and taking up more. Loki had signed and dated this just this morning. Lyla could've even sworn that through flipping the pages she smelt that cologne that sent her into a frenzy.

She decided to attempt to read some of it, as there was a summarising chapter at the end near the signatures.

From what Lyla could gather, it was close to what her and Loki had discussed. When Lyla saw the monthly allowance she would be receiving however, she clasped a hand over her mouth in shock, worrying an extra zero had been added on in error. No one had this much money, surely?

The things Lyla could do with that money.

She could stop the rent overdue letters being passive aggressively pushed under her door every week for starters.

Lyla froze when she glanced over the section entitled 'Physical relations', feeling warmth spread through her body at the phrase.

Just as Loki had said to her, the contract clearly stated that this was outside of their contract (and legally rightly so), and would be up to the two involved on a private basis with whatever they felt comfortable.

Lyla relaxed deeply when she saw there was a clear section about consent and the private arrangement being able to change dynamically as Lyla saw fit. This made her feel a little better about the whole thing.

It still blew her mind someone as gloriously beautiful as Loki would even want to kiss Lyla, let alone any other form of intimacy. Loki kept his cards close to his chest. She had a feeling no one ever truly knew what he really felt beneath that mask he wore.

As if on cue, Lyla's phone vibrated against the coffee table, scaring the life out of her. Her breathing quickened as she saw the name of the man she'd been day dreaming of.

"Hello?" Lyla answers, trying desperately hard to steel her voice into something a little more laid back.

She could all but feel Loki's pleased grin through the phone at her nervous tone.

"Lyla my dear, I see you received the delivery." Loki all but purred on the other end, sending a dancing shiver up her spine.

God, she'd only known this man a week and she was insatiable for him.

Lyla felt herself blush and was grateful he couldn't see her. Loki, however, seemed powerful enough to be able to pick up on her every thought by the tone of her voice and the hitch in her breath. There was no hiding from him.

"I did. Firstly, can I just say how beautiful the flowers are? I've never seen something like this in my life. Really, it's too much." Lyla said, brushing her fingertips over the petals in awe, still.

She had never been bought flowers in general, let alone something as lavish as this.

"You will no longer tell me things are too much Pet. You need to get those thoughts out of your head. Nothing is too much for you. Understand?" Loki's dominant tone ordered through the phone.

Lyla felt herself gulp, nodding despite the fact he couldn't see her.

"Words Lyla, do you understand?" He asked once more.

Lyla shook her head to clear her blank mind feeling like a child.

"Yes, Loki I do." She responded and heard a slight groan on the other end at her words.

The chrysalis in her stomach had hatched into butterflies now and were swarming around.

"Good girl.' He praised and Lyla felt her thighs clench together on the sofa.

He had her wrapped around his little finger.

"Any questions about the contract?" Loki asks, wanting to get the business part out the way.

He wasn't overly fond of needing it in the first place and didn't want Lyla to feel cheap as she had said last night. He would make sure of it.

Lyla thought for a second, chewing her lip. "Actually so many." She chuckles as Loki breathed down the phone at her honesty.

"I will do my best to enlighten you where possible." He replied patiently, though he wouldn't admit it, his heart was beating fast too.

Worried she would pull out or find it offensive. And he had to see her again. Needed to.

"To be honest, I don't understand a lot but I hope it's OK, Nat is going to help me look over it as she went through something similar." Lyla began, as Loki mulled over the thought.

He didn't like things going out of his control.

"Sure." He said firmly.

"The monthly allowance... that's a mistake in figure right? I mean what could I even do that would be worth that much money for you? That goes beyond showing up to events surely?" Lyla asked worriedly, fully aware how much her tone dripped with the implication behind the words.

She heard Loki softly laugh.

"I can assure you that figure is correct my Dear. I hate the way you put yourself down. Just your mere presence in my company is worth it all. We really need to work on your self esteem. I won't tolerate this negative self talk." He said in that domineering tone again.

Lyla felt like she'd been told off by the principal.

"Are you sure? I'm worried I won't be enough. We don't really know each other that well still, you might change your mind." She tried to joke but Loki could hear the pain in her voice.

He knew there and then that this woman had been hurt before. And that fueled anger deep into his veins at the thought. Something so precious thinking so little of herself. Poor little lamb. Truth was Loki knew more about her than she thought. That was one of the perks of being one of the most powerful families in North America.

"There is a clause in the contract which allows either party to end whenever they wish. Not that I worry about that being a problem on my end. You're as in control as you wish to be." Loki explained carefully.

Being in control was an illusion for her however. He could play her however he wanted and he knew she'd fall weak to her knees for him.

He wished.

Lyla felt a little better at this.

"I can't believe this is even happening. Its mad." Lyla sighed, almost to herself, but then realising she voiced it aloud.

Loki furrowed his brows.

"Lyla, I want to know your heart is fully in it. I will never force you to do anything you don't want to do. With my lifestyle, as you know, I am afraid I cannot do relationships. This is a business transaction amongst friends. Is that ok for you?" Loki asked clearly, trying to make sure he wouldn't scare the Pet to death if she got a glimpse into his world.

He knew she would never tell anyone anything she might accidentally witness, or overhear, anyway. He'd made sure of it legally and he'd make sure of it emotionally too. He didn't account for how close she was to Miss Romanoff however. But that could be handled too. Especially as she had previous experience with Stark.

Despite this, he would protect Lyla from that side of him. She would run a mile if her suspicions were confirmed.

"It is Loki. I want to do this. I want to spend time with you and you're right. It's easier this way. I told myself no more relationships. So this is perfect for me too, don't worry." Lyla said weakly, adding on the last part as if to reassure not only Loki, but herself.

Loki did not hesitate to pick up on the crumbs of information she was delivering to him on a silver platter about her past. He longed for these more personal snippets of her.

Feeding his addiction.

His fists clenched at his sides as he felt his own suspicions confirmed about her being hurt before. How could anyone hurt something so warm and beautiful?

"Well that's settled then. After you have signed it when Miss Romanoff has looked over it later, send me a message and I will get one of my men to pick it up from your place. In the mean time, how about another date so we can become better acquainted in preparation for upcoming events I'll need you at? I can then send you a schedule of the ones confirmed already and begin your allowance to prepare." Loki said decidedly.

He liked to be organised. And he wanted her to trust him, just a little, before they jumped into this. Of course she would never know the real him. But that didn't matter. Her mind needed to be put to ease. Although, he couldn't help the foreign part of him that was screaming at himself to keep her far, far away from the Odinson family and everything it had entailed.

It was like leading a lamb to slaughter.

"That sounds great, Loki. Thank you again." Lyla said, smacking her palm to her forehead at how childish she sounded with all this thanking and apologising.

Loki hummed before saying goodbye and ending the call.

Lyla lay back on her couch with the papers sprawled over her, feeling enthralled and exhausted all at the same time.

This was fucking happening.

~♤~

Loki strides into the main boardroom in the penthouse office of the high rise building. His black suit is crisp and sharp against his ivory skin and his long hair is sleeked back. His Louboutin leather brogues make slight screeching noises along the polished floor as faces turn to greet him, before diverting their eyes when they realise which brother has walked into the room.

All except one pair of eyes.

James Barnes rises out of his seat amongst his associates, putting a hand out to his security guard who had immediately rested his hand on his hip where his weapon sat, at the movement.

James met Loki half way into the room. He wore a Prada checkered suit and smelt of a scent that was overwhelmingly musky for Loki's taste.

"Odinson." James spoke lowly, not blinking or removing his stare from Loki.

A pathetic tactic at trying to appear dominant, which wasn't working. Especially as he was in his building and was about to answer to his family.

"Barnes." Loki retorted as he reached his hand out to grasp James' metal limb.

A daily reminder of James' time in the army and the IED that had tried, unsuccessfully, to kill him.

"My brother shall be joining us shortly with my father." Loki responded as he released his grip dismissively. 

He wandered to the other side of the long mahogany wood table, rolling back a velvet black chair on wheels and leisurely taking a seat.

He saw Barnes hesitantly sit back down, his assassin eye trained to pick up the nervous ticks he so cleverly thought he was hiding from him. But Loki saw through everyone and everything. And the slight jump of his knee and the tensing of his jaw on his right side betrayed him.

The doors reopened and Loki's father and Thor bounded across the room, both dressed in expensive Tom Ford suits and luxurious jewellery dotted across their necks and fingers. Loki noted that his father and Thor were both armed, as usual. Conversations rarely went any other way these days.

James rose again to greet Odin and Thor but Odin dismissed him by not even looking his way, before taking a seat at the head of the table with Thor at his side.

Thor however did spare Barnes a somewhat friendly nod in acknowledgement. Loki licked his lips, as he saw the sweat slightly begin to bead on James' brow.

"We've called you here, Barnes, to discuss the late shipments that have continued to happen over the last few days. My eldest son here tells me your father has stepped back from the head of the family now and you have taken over. Whilst I am saddened to hear your father isn't well, I will not stand for sloppiness. This isn't personal. This is business." Odin's rich voice boomed across the tiled space, making even Thor's eyes avert downwards.

When Odin was angry, Hell could break loose.

"I appreciate that Sir, but—" James began but was cut off.

"No ifs no buts, Barnes. Your father was one of our biggest suppliers, being a key link to Mexico for us. If it cannot be done, we will have no issue finding a more suitable replacement." Odin said, finally lifting his gaze to pierce into James'.

His face briefly flickered to fear at the thought of what this truly meant. No business simply retired or separated from the Odinson's. They were eliminated. No loose threads.

James' face steeled itself however rather quickly. Flickering to anger now and cold hard rage. The expression he wore was that of the infamous Winter Soldier, and Loki sat on amused, as James' own hand trailed towards his waist. Out of instinct, everyone else's was drawn towards their weapon too.

Loki felt the cool blade of the dagger in his jacket side, desperately calling to be used. Begging. He just needed an excuse.

"Sir, with all due respect. We still made most of our shipments. A couple were delayed, yes. But that also wasn't our end. There's a lot going on in Mexico right now with new border controls making it more difficult. We're having to find other methods of extraction. Whilst my father and you had a good working relationship, for this to work I demand mutual respect, the same you would extend to him." Barnes said as his voice rose in defiance.

His cool steel blue eyes piercing into Odin's. Loki's gaze flickered between the two, unsure what was going to happen next. No one spoke to his father like that and lived to tell the tale.

"Respect must be earned. Need I remind you who is fuelling your millionaire playboy lifestyle Mr Barnes. We have eyes on you at all times. Do not stray too far or something bad might happen." Odin said in a low gravelly tone that made Thor's arm hair stand on edge.

He briefly looked over at Loki to see him wearing a similar expression.

"I don't appreciate threats. We've had others approach us as connections you know. Not just America either. The Zemos in Sokovia are pretty keen." James stood from his seat, banging his metal arm on the table as his own men looked amongst themselves, preparing for a fight.

Odin stood himself, towering above the table at his great height. Looking like a God from Olympus, ready to rain down unholy rage.

"Next time you take one of your whores out on your yacht, I'd make sure you feel safe out at sea in the middle of nowhere. No one knows what might happen. Too much coke, too much booze—would be so easy to slip overboard and disappear." Odin all but whispered in a metallic tone.

Loki had no doubt his father could make that happen. One text before James had even left the building and he'd be dead.

"We appreciate your loyalty." Odin spat in disgust. "But next time you are late, Loki here will have to pay you, and the company you keep, a visit. Understood?" Odin roared as Loki looked up on cue.

James' eyes bore into Loki's darkened green ones with hatred.

"Whatever. Leave the girls and others out of this though. This is us." James said through gritted teeth.

Odin could see he'd struck a nerve.

"It isn't wise to be fond of the company you keep, James. You never know what could happen." Odin shrugged and sat back down.

Loki's face faltered at this as he thought back to Lyla. Innocent, sweet, delicious Lyla. The little lamb.

He saw Thor watching him out the corner of his eye.

This was going to get complicated.

"Now get the fuck out of my building." Odin waved a hand as James stood up with such a force that he broke the chair he'd flung backwards.

He looked back to glare Loki in the eyes once more.

"Fucking lap dog. That's all you are." He said, quietly enough for only Loki to hear.

Loki had comforting visions of slicing his tongue out of his mouth. Aching for a reason for his father to send him his way. He winked as he sent James a wave of his fingers goodbye.

——

A/N: so not much happened in this chapter but I wanted to introduce the contract and Bucky as he will be playing key parts in the future too. I'm so excited to continue writing this...especially the spicy parts.

Reminder please to be 18+ as things are gonna get real dark and smutty!