CEO'S LITTLE PREY

ARIANNA

The room reeked of betrayal.

"You know," Evan drawled, voice smooth like poison silk, "it almost hurts watching you cry. Almost. But unlike most people... I enjoy seeing others fall apart."

My breath hitched as my fingers dug into the strap of my bag like it was the only thing anchoring me to this reality. But nothing could stop the flood of pain storming through my chest as the hotel surveillance footage flickered across the screen.

There it was. Landon and Kayla, who are my fiancé and best friend. Tangled in sheets like nothing else in the world existed.

“Evan, please…” I choked out, clutching my chest like I could physically stop my heart from shattering.

He leaned in, lips curling into a cruel smirk. “Your fiancé seems to enjoy screwing your best friend more than you.”

Instantly, something snapped, and the burrito in my hand flew through the air before I  could even register the movement. Evan dodged it easily, of course, laughing like this was his favorite show.

“Stop talking,” I whispered, voice trembling as tears blurred my vision. But the footage didn’t stop. Landon’s hands were on her, his mouth moving in ways I’d memorized. The same whispers, the same touch, it was recycled and desecrated.

“I’m not lying,” Evan continued. “He looks... fulfilled. Unlike that awkward night with you in Mexico County.” He dragged out the words, lips twitching as if he was mocking the memory.

Then I froze. “What?”

So, this means he saw me and Landon... in Mexico?

“Oh, don’t act surprised.” His tone dipped into something darker. “The look on your face that night? That was your first time, wasn’t it? You looked so... breakable. The pictures I took that day? Masterpieces.”

A cold wave of nausea slammed through me. “You—what?”

“Is that why you dragged me here? To blackmail me? By showing me how Landon and my best friend are having sex?” My voice cracked as I pointed a shaking finger at the screen.

Evan tilted his head, grinning like the devil. “Blackmail? Now, why would I do that?” He let out a laugh that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I just thought you’d like to see the truth. Isn’t honesty refreshing?”

I hated him. 

Evan Gates, the billionaire heir with the reputation of a charming sociopath. Women threw themselves at him, but beneath the expensive suits and perfect teeth was a man who watched people bleed and called it entertainment.

And now, I was his latest tragedy.

“I got an anonymous tip,” I said, my voice brittle. “ That said, Landon and Kayla were at the Grand. And this made sense that you know all of this, since they're at your family's hotel.”

“Convenient, isn’t it?” he replied. “Also, quick thing—about that penthouse you were planning to gift your cheating fiancé for his birthday... Why not give it to me instead? Consider it my finder’s f*e.”

My heart skipped a beat. “How the hell did you know about that?”

He smirked. “Have you been stalking me?” I demanded.

“Stalking you?” He scoffed. “Please. I have better things to do, Miss Rihanna.”

“It’s Arianna,” I snapped.

“Rihanna, Arianna, same thing.” He waved a dismissive hand. “You think too highly of yourself.”

“I think you’re obsessed with me.”

“I think__,” he said, stepping closer, “I just happen to stumble across your disasters at the worst possible times.”

"Bullshit," I murmured silently, rolling my eyes in disdain. “However, thanks for the show. And thanks, I guess, for not blackmailing me yet.” I said as I gripped my bag tighter, and my legs wobbled as I made my way to the door.

“You’re welcome,” he called after me, “but crawling into bed to cry won’t fix anything. Just saying.”

Despite hearing him speak, I didn’t stop.

“Going to break up with him over text? What about the media, the paparazzi, the press? Your wedding date was already public.” He continued, and then I froze at the doorway and my fingers curled around the frame as I turned back to glare at him.

He knew that, too? I wondered, since I’d only made the announcement yesterday.

“I can fly out and hide from the mess,” I said.

Then, he chuckled in a dry and humorless manner. “Run all you want, sweetheart. But the fallout? It’ll land squarely on your father’s company.”

I stiffened. “My dad can handle a few nosy reporters.”

“You don’t sound very convinced.”

I turned fully, lifted my chin, and stared him down. “So what do you suggest I do? Stay with Landon? Pretend this never happened? That’s not happening.”

Evan’s eyes gleamed with something unreadable. “Are you asking for my help?”

“I’m only asking what you think I should do.”

He grinned in a wicked yet slow way as a long pause followed, then he continued. “Option one…turn a blind eye, marry Landon, and smile for the cameras.”

I scoffed. “I'd rather not.”

“Then option two…” He stepped forward, his voice low and deliberate. “Marry me.”

The words hit me like a car crash, forcing me to blink, while my heart lunched as I stared at the mouth that just said the most outrageous thing I’d heard in my life.

“What...?” I croaked.

Marry Evan Gates? THE. Mr. Arrogant, unfeeling, and dangerous? Apparently, he is out of his goddamn mind.