Chapter 1. The Deal

The knock came like a threat sharp, deliberate, and ice-cold.

Emily froze mid-step, her hand hovering inches from the doorknob as her pulse slammed hard against her ribs.

No one knew where she lived.

Not even Claire.

The knock came again, harder this time, more impatient.

Her stomach twisted.

She didn’t need to check.

She already knew.

Jason.

The name crawled through her like something alive.

Slowly, she turned the knob and opened the door.

He pushed in immediately, like he belonged there, like he always would.

Jason stepped inside, bringing tension with him. He looked the same expensive coat, effortless charm, that dangerous kind of beauty that fooled people.

But his eyes were different.

Darker. Sharper. Hungry.

“Hello, baby girl.”

Emily stepped back at once. “You’re not supposed to be here.”

He shut the door behind him with a soft click.

“I missed you too.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“No,” he said, his gaze roaming over her slowly, deliberately. “But your body always tells the truth.”

Her skin crawled.

“Get out.”

Jason smiled, slow and amused, like she’d said something entertaining.

“You always did talk tough when you were scared.”

“I’m not scared of you.”

That made him pause for a fraction of a second before a quiet, dangerous laugh slipped out of him.

“That’s new.”

He moved further into the apartment, his fingers brushing over furniture and surfaces in a way that felt both casual and invasive.

Claiming.

“You disappear,” he said, “and expect me not to come looking?”

“You lost that right.”

“I never had rights, Emily.” His voice dropped. “I take what I want.”

Her throat tightened, but she didn’t back down.

Not this time.

“You don’t get me anymore.”

His gaze snapped back to her, something dangerous flickering in his eyes before it disappeared just as quickly, replaced by amusement.

“We’ll see.”

Her phone buzzed on the counter, the sound cutting through the room like a blade.

Emily grabbed it quickly.

Claire.

I have a way out. It’s not what you’re expecting, but it’ll protect you. Call me. Please.

Jason’s eyes flicked to the screen.

“Still running to her?” he murmured. “Claire always did like fixing broken things.”

“She’s not the problem.”

“No,” he agreed softly. “You are.”

Silence stretched between them as he stepped closer, too close.

Emily held her ground even as her pulse raced.

“You ran,” he said quietly, leaning in just enough to make his presence suffocating. “But you didn’t change.”

Her jaw tightened.

“You still think someone’s going to save you.”

“I don’t need saving.”

His smile deepened.

“That’s your mistake.”

“I didn’t come to drag you back,” he added lightly.

“Then why are you here?”

He tilted his head, studying her like she was something he had already decided to keep.

“To remind you…” His voice dropped lower. “…you don’t disappear from me.”

A chill slid down her spine.

“You don’t own me.”

“No,” he said softly. “But I know you.”

That was worse.

Much worse.

He straightened, adjusting his coat as if nothing had happened.

“You can run,” he added casually. “Hide. Change your life.”

He reached for the door, then glanced back, his eyes gleaming.

“But when you feel safe, that’s when I show up.”

The door slammed behind him.

Emily didn’t realize she was shaking until her knees gave out. She slid down the wall, her breath uneven, her phone still clutched in her hand.

Claire’s message stared back at her.

A way out.

Emily swallowed hard and pressed the call.

“Emily?” Claire answered instantly.

“I need it,” Emily said. “Whatever it is.”

A soft pause followed before Claire spoke again.

“Okay. You remember my boss?”

Emily frowned slightly. “Ethan Reed?”

“Yes. He needs a wife.”

Emily blinked. “Excuse me?”

“A contract marriage,” Claire clarified. “Public appearances. Clean image. No emotions.”

“That sounds insane.”

“So is your current situation.”

Emily went quiet.

“You get his name,” Claire continued. “His protection. His security.”

“And what does he get?”

Claire hesitated, just for a second.

“Control.”

The word lingered in the air.

“And Jason?”

“He won’t come near you,” Claire said. “Not if you belong to someone like Ethan.”

Emily didn’t like that word.

Not at all.

But she exhaled slowly and said, “I’ll meet him.”

Reed Enterprises towered above her the next morning, all glass and steel, power carved into structure.

Inside, everything gleamed. Controlled. Perfect.

Claire stood in the lobby, sharp and polished, almost like she belonged more to this world than Emily remembered.

“I’ve missed you,” she said, pulling her into a hug.

Emily held on briefly. “Not as much as I’ve needed you.”

Claire smiled, though it didn’t fully reach her eyes. “Come on. He doesn’t like waiting.”

The office was quiet. Too quiet.

Ethan Reed didn’t look up when they entered. He sat behind his desk, flipping through a document as if nothing in the room could possibly disturb him.

“Ms. Turner,” he said. “Sit.”

Emily obeyed, feeling his attention before she even saw it.

When he finally looked up, everything seemed to still.

His gaze moved over her slowly, not rudely, not carelessly, but with intention.

Like he was assessing her.

Like he was deciding something.

His expression didn’t change, but something in his eyes did.

Interest.

Faint. Controlled.

Emily straightened slightly, refusing to shrink under his gaze.

“Claire tells me you need protection,” he said.

“I don’t need control,” Emily replied calmly.

Claire shifted behind her.

Ethan’s lips almost curved into a smile.

“Good. I don’t offer comfort.”

The silence that followed was heavy, stretching between them.

“This is a contract,” he continued. “You will act as my wife. Publicly. Convincingly.”

“And privately?”

His gaze held hers, steady and sharp.

“Privately, we respect boundaries.”

Something about the way he said it didn’t feel simple.

Emily noticed.

“So, rules,” she said.

“Yes.”

“And if I break them?”

Ethan leaned back slightly, his posture relaxed but his presence anything but.

“Then we’ll have a different conversation.”

The air shifted.

Claire cleared her throat softly. “The benefits are listed security, identity, financial coverage”

“I can read,” Emily cut in.

Claire went quiet.

Ethan noticed.

Of course he did.

His gaze flicked briefly toward Claire before returning to Emily.

“Seventy-two hours,” he said. “You decide.”

Emily stood.

“So do you.”

For a brief moment, neither of them moved.

Something in Ethan’s expression shifted subtle, but enough.

He wasn’t bored anymore.

Outside, the air felt too open, too exposed.

“This is insane,” Emily said quietly.

Claire smiled faintly. “It’s survival.”

Emily didn’t respond.

Her phone buzzed.

Unknown number.

Her stomach dropped.

She opened it.

A photo loaded.

Her breath caught.

It was her standing inside Ethan’s office.

Taken from behind the glass.

Watching.

Waiting.

A message appeared beneath it:

Careful who you trust.

Emily’s fingers went cold.

Slowly, she turned to Claire.

Claire was already looking at her.

Smiling.

But this time

it didn’t feel safe.