Chapter 5 : Blackmail

~~~Soraya~~~

I suddenly came back to my senses like someone had dumped a bucket of ice water over my head. One second I was wrapped around Declan Shaw like a vine. Legs locked around his waist, his hands under my hoodie, his mouth devouring mine and the next, reality slammed into me full force. 

I shoved him hard in the chest, breaking the kiss with a gasp.

“Stop.”

Gosh I hated myself for giving in.

Declan stumbled back a step, breathing hard, lips swollen and eyes wild. His hair was a mess from my fingers. For a second he looked dazed, almost drunk.

“What the hell was that?” I snapped, yanking my hoodie back down and jumping off the counter. 

My legs felt unsteady. My entire body was still buzzing with traitorous heat.

 “We said no real kissing. No touching. This..” I gestured wildly between us, “... should never happen again.”

Declan dragged a hand down his face, jaw clenched tight. “You kissed me back, Soraya. Pretty fucking enthusiastically.”

“I was caught up in the moment. Adrenaline. Stress.” I hissed. “Fuck”

“Take your pick.” I pointed an accusing finger at him.

 “You’re still the same arrogant asshole who’s made my life miserable over the years. Just because some sponsor locked us in a fake marriage doesn’t mean I suddenly like you.”

He stepped closer, voice low and dangerous.

“Keep telling yourself that. Your body sure as hell wasn’t pretending a minute ago.”

Heat flooded my cheeks. “I hate you, Declan. That hasn’t changed.”

His eyes darkened. “Good. Hate me all you want. Just make sure tomorrow at that press conference you look like you can’t keep your hands off me.”

I stormed past him toward the bedroom, heart still racing. 

“Stay on your side of the apartment tonight. I mean it.”

I slammed the door and leaned against it, 

pressing my forehead to the cool wood. My lips tingled. My skin still remembered exactly where his hands had been. I hated how much I wanted to go back out there and finish what we started.

“Stupid,” I whispered to myself. “He’s the enemy. Always has been.”

Sleep was almost impossible. Every time I closed my eyes, I felt his mouth on my neck, his hands sliding up my ribs, the hard press of him between my thighs.

Morning came too fast and too cruel. At 7:00 a.m. the sponsor sent over a stylist team, a media coach, and matching “couple” outfits. Soft cream sweaters and dark jeans that somehow made us look like we’d stepped out of a romance photoshoot.

They did my hair and makeup while Declan got a quick trim in the living room. 

Maya showed up uninvited, arms crossed, shooting daggers at Declan the entire time. 

“If this press conference goes wrong, I’m kidnapping you,” she muttered while fixing my hair. “This whole thing is insane.”

The ride to the athletic center was dead silent. 

Declan’s thigh pressed against mine in the back of the SUV. Neither of us moved away.

When we arrived, chaos greeted us. 

Cameras everywhere. Students crowding the hallway. My parents waiting near the entrance, beaming with pride. Dad shook Declan’s hand again while Mom hugged me tight, whispering how handsome my “husband” was.

The press conference room was packed university officials, reporters, NHL scouts in the back row watching Declan carefully. 

The athletic director gave us one final warning look before we took our seats at the front table.

Declan reached over and laced our fingers together on the table. To the audience, it looked loving. Only I could feel how tightly he was gripping me. It was a silent reminder.

The questions started easy.

“How does it feel to turn rivalry into romance?”

We gave the scripted answer.

“The Vegas fight made us realize the passion was real. We eloped in the heat of the moment. We’re happier than ever.”

Then it got harder. 

A reporter stood up. “There are rumors this marriage is a sponsor driven cover up to save both your scholarships and reputations. Any comment?”

My stomach dropped.

Declan squeezed my hand and smiled that charming captain’s smile.

 “People love drama. The truth is simpler. I fell for the most talented, fiery woman on this campus.” He looked at me, eye filled with intense.“She drives me crazy… in the best way.”

The room sighed dreamily. 

My parents looked emotional. 

I forced a loving smile and leaned into him slightly. 

“He’s not as much of a neanderthal as I thought.”

Laughter rippled through the crowd. 

But then my dad was invited to speak. 

He took the mic proudly. “We are so happy for our daughter. This young man has taken on a big responsibility, and we all can see he truly loves my daughter, I'm proud of them.” He wiledya tear and the whole crowd, cheered him.

~~~~

After the conference, we were ushered into a private lounge for a short break before the alumni photos. For the first time that day, Declan and I were finally alone.

Both of our phones buzzed at the exact same time. 

I opened the message from an unknown number and felt my stomach drop.

The message read. 

“I know the truth. Your marriage is fake. I have copies of the contract, debt payoff records, and internal emails. $50,000 by midnight or I leak everything to the media, NHL scouts, coaches, and especially your parents. They still believe this is a real love story, don’t they?” 

A screenshot of our original contract appeared below.

Then another message.

“I’m watching you. Pay up or I blow it up at the alumni dinner tonight.”

My hands started shaking.

My chest tightened so hard I could barely breathe. I looked up at Declan in panic.

He read the messages on his phone, jaw tightening, but his expression stayed hard and focused. 

Not panicking. Just cold, controlled anger.

“Declan…” My voice came out small and terrified.

 “What are we going to do?”

He stepped closer and put a steady hand on my shoulder, squeezing firmly. His voice was low, calm, and protective.

“Take a breath, Soraya. Don’t freak out yet.” He glanced toward the door, making sure no one was coming, then looked back at me. 

His eyes were sharp and determined.

“Whoever this is, they’re close. But they just made their first mistake by threatening us directly.”His grip on my shoulder tightened. 

“I won’t let them destroy you or your family. We’ll figure this out together. Right now, we go back out there, act normal, and smile like nothing happened. No one can know. Especially not your parents.”

I swallowed hard, fear still clawing at my throat as I stared at the threatening messages. 

Someone was watching us.

Someone was ready to ruin everything.

And we had until tonight to stop them.