7

Evelyn’s POV

“You’re going to have to do a lot better than that, Zeke.” I chucked. “That’s not enough—not for me anyway. Some other lady in my shoes would be delighted with it, but I’m not.”

“Are you considering my marriage proposal, Evelyn?” Zeke asked, puzzled at first. 

“Yes, I am. But, I’m not going to put my life on the line for crumbs. I need something that would benefit me in the long run. Simply put, I want to have your power, Zeke. If you can guarantee me that, I’ll accept your terms and be your wife.” I said. 

“Power isn’t an item to be traded, Evelyn. You’re going to be a lot more specific about what you’re asking from me.” Zeke said as he watched me. He was confused.

“I want to wield your power and your influence because I plan on being an independent self-made woman when this is over and Damien owes me half of what he’s worth,” I said. 

Zeke’s eyes widened in shock but he quickly masked his surprise. 

“I wasn’t expecting to hear this from you.” 

“I gave Damien Blackwood my life, my sweat, and my blood. I did everything he wanted, even the things he failed at, I made sure that I excelled in them because I wanted to prove that I could handle anything thrown my way and despite my sacrifice, he pushed me aside like I didn’t matter and handed my life to Genevieve after cheating on me with her.” I said, feeling incensed all over again. 

“You should’ve listened to me, Evelyn.” Zeke pointed out. 

I wasn’t surprised to hear him say this. He was still hurt from my rejection and he was rubbing Damien’s actions on my face at every chance that he got. 

“I can’t change the past, Zeke. It’s happened already.” I stated. 

“Damien is a greedy bastard and he’s going to fight to keep every single dollar he has at whatever cost,” Zeke said. 

“You’re not going to sit back and let your family hurt your wife, are you?” I challenged him. 

I was biting off more than I could chew right now but I had no choice. If I didn’t take any risks, I would be left with nothing and that wasn’t how I envisioned my future. 

Zeke drummed his fingers on the table as he stared at me while I held my breath and waited for his response. 

There was every chance that he could halt all of these and move on to the next girl that caught his fancy and wouldn’t demand the same crazy terms as I was. 

“You’ll have my support until I say otherwise,” Zeke said after a few minutes of silence. 

I felt relief course through my veins as I leaned back into the chair. I was making a deal with the devil himself but I didn’t care as long as I would get what I wanted, nothing else mattered. 

Destroying his family in exchange for being compensated? I would make the deal all over again. 

“Is there anything left for us to discuss?” I asked. 

“Well, yes. You’ll stay here with me until we achieve our goals and after that, we will go our separate ways. We don’t have to act married because I’m very much certain that we’re both free birds and free birds aren’t meant to be caged.” Zeke said. 

I had no issues with his offer, I wasn’t remotely interested in anything romantic. We were both using ourselves as a means to an end and that was fine by me. 

“You’re right when you called us free birds, I would like to fly free without being restricted. So yes, I accept your terms but I’ll give my approval on one condition.” I began. 

“You’ve been making a lot of requests, Evelyn.” Zeke’s eyebrows shot up as he fixed me with a stare. 

“I think I have the right to be involved in every single aspect of this operation, Zeke. Don’t you think so?” I asked. 

“Are you asking for inclusivity, Evelyn? My terms were clear from the start. Your role in this is to give me all the necessary information you’ve heard in the past and that’s all I require from you.” Zeke’s voice was getting harsh. 

“I’m not asking you for that. I only ask that I not be sidelined. We’re in this together and it has to remain that way.” I said, clarifying my position. 

“Okay, fine. Out of the benevolence of the goodness of my heart, I’ll grant you all your requests but don’t push it, Evelyn.” Zeke said. 

This was perfect for me and I couldn’t dare ask for more. Within an hour, I had gone from being divorced disgracefully to becoming Zeke Blackwood’s fiancée.

I barely had time to process everything that had happened and it still seemed so surreal.

“That’s fine by me, Zeke,” I said. 

“I’ll have my lawyer draw up the contract now that we’ve both concluded,” Zeke said with a note of finality. 

“I haven’t accepted to marry you just yet, Zeke. I still need time to think things through. For now, I’m heading to bed.” I pushed myself up to my feet and as I attempted to move towards the door, I felt his hand on my arm as he pulled me towards him. 

I found myself being slammed into his broad chest. 

“It can wait for a few more minutes,” Zeke said as he stared at me. 

“Is—is there a problem?” I forced myself to speak as my knees began to wobble. 

I could feel his breath on my face, making my heart quicken. 

His hands found my earlobe, tugging on it lightly. “I found the way you handled our business conversation quite worrying, you were being too naughty but at the same time, I like it when my women are submissive and you aren't.”

“Submissive?” My eyes grew wide. 

“As soon as our marriage is finalized and I’m sure that it will be, even if you take all the time in the world, I’m going to punish you for wasting my time, Evelyn.” He said. 

“What?” I gasped, my cheeks flaming up immediately. 

“Good. We’ll be able to put up a show for everyone when we’re in public.” Zeke said as he suddenly stepped back and walked out of the study.