The man who knows

MIA POV

Angelo Cross doesn’t look at me like other men do.He looks at me like he already knows every secret I’m hiding.His office is all glass and steel, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city like he owns it. Maybe he does. The man sitting across from me in a black suit that probably costs more than my car is worth billions. He’s handsome in a brutal way, sharp jaw, ice-gray eyes, dark hair perfectly styled. But it’s not his looks that make my skin prickle with warning.It’s the way he’s staring at my left ear.At the heart-shaped birthmark I’ve had since birth and never thought about twice.“Miss Lawrence.” His voice is smooth, controlled. “Tell me why you want to be a surrogate.”The standard answer sits on my tongue, the one I practiced with Sophie last night. Something about wanting to help families, about believing in the gift of life. Beautiful lies that sound noble.But something about those gray eyes tells me he’ll know if I lie.“I need the money,” I say instead. “My mother has cancer. The treatment costs more than I can make in five years. This job pays enough to save her life.”“Honest.” A ghost of a smile touches his lips. “I appreciate that.”He stands, moving around the desk with predatory grace. I force myself not to flinch as he approaches, stopping close enough that I can smell his cologne, something expensive and dark.“May I?” He gestures to my ear.Every instinct screams to say no. But I need this job. I need the money. Need to complete Austin’s mission so Mom lives.“Okay,” I whisper.His fingers are warm when they brush my hair back, exposing the birthmark. He traces it gently, almost reverently, and I feel goosebumps rise on my skin.“Perfect,” he murmurs. “You’re exactly who I’ve been looking for.”My heart hammers. “What do you mean?”He drops his hand, steps back, and the professional mask slides back into place. “The contract is straightforward. You’ll carry my child through IVF. Live here in the penthouse during your third trimester. Attend events with me so my mother believes we’re together. In exchange, you receive fifty thousand monthly, plus five hundred thousand at birth.”Six hundred thousand total. More than Austin promised. Enough to save Mom and have money left over.“Why the deception with your mother?” I ask.“Rose wants grandchildren. She wants me married, settled, happy.” His voice turns cold. “She doesn’t need to know this is a business transaction.”“So I’m supposed to pretend we’re in love?”“Can you do that, Miss Lawrence?” He leans against his desk, studying me. “Can you lie in a convincing way?”The irony makes me want to laugh. I’m already lying to him. Planning to betray him. Steal his secrets for his brother.“Yes,” I say. “I can lie.”“Good.” He pulls out a contract thick as a book. “Read it carefully. Sign it if you agree. Derek will show you to your room.”“My room?” I blink. “I’m moving in today?”“The IVF procedure is scheduled for next week. I prefer to have you close. To ensure…” He pauses, and something flickers in his eyes. “To ensure you’re taking care of yourself. And my investment.”Investment. That’s all I am to him.I should feel relieved. This is business. Simple. Clinical.So why does his stare make me feel like I’m missing something crucial?I signed the contract without reading it. Stupid, probably. But Mom needs treatment by Friday, and Austin needs me inside Angelo’s world.“Excellent.” Angelo takes the contract, his fingers brushing mine. The touch sends electricity up my arm. “Welcome to your new home, Mia.”The way he says my name like he’s tasted it before makes my stomach flip._ _ _ _ _Derek Monroe appears in the doorway. Tall, dark-skinned, built like he could snap me in half. His expression is professionally blank, but his eyes assess me like a threat.“Derek, show Miss Lawrence to the east wing guest suite.” Angelo doesn’t look up from his laptop. “And Derek? Have security install the cameras tonight.”My blood runs cold. “Cameras?”“For your safety,” Angelo says smoothly. “This penthouse has state-of-the-art security. You’ll be monitored twenty-four-seven. Is that a problem?”Yes. It’s a massive problem. How am I supposed to spy on him if I’m being watched constantly?“No,” I lied. “No problem.”Derek leads me through hallways that smell like money and secrets. The guest suite is bigger than my entire apartment, The king sized bed, marble bathroom, a view that makes the city look like a toy.“Mr. Cross values privacy,” Derek says as he’s leaving. “And loyalty. Remember that.”The door closes. I’m alone.I pull out my phone to text Austin, then freeze.There’s a camera in the corner of the room. Small, black, barely noticeable.Pointed directly at the bed._ _ _ _ _ANGELO POVI watch Mia on the monitor in my study, seeing the exact moment she notices the camera.She’s smart. Observant. Exactly like I remember from seven years ago.Derek enters without knocking. “She’s Austin’s plant. You’re sure you want to go through with this?”“Positive.” I don’t look away from the screen. “How long have you known?”“About Austin’s plan? Six months. About her involvement? Three weeks.” Derek crosses his arms. “She met with him four times before this interview. He’s paying her five hundred thousand to get close to you.”“I know.”“Then why hire her?”I finally looked at him. “Because seven years ago, that woman pulled me from a burning car. Donated blood when I was dying. Saved my life and disappeared before I could thank her.”Derek’s expression doesn’t change. “And you’ve been searching for her ever since.”“Every investigator. Every database. Every woman with a heart-shaped birthmark on her left ear.” I turn back to the monitor. “And now she walks into my office, working for my brother, planning to betray me.”“So this is revenge?”“This is chess.” I pour myself a drink. “Austin thinks he’s using her. She thinks she’s using me. Neither of them knows I’ve been waiting for this moment for seven years.”“What’s the endgame?”“I’m going to let her think she’s winning. Let Austin think his plan is working. Gather evidence of every crime they commit.” I take a sip. “And when the time is right, I’ll destroy them both.”“And the girl?”I watch Mia pace her room, hands shaking, phone clutched like a lifeline.“She saved my life once,” I say quietly. “Maybe I’ll return the favor. Or maybe I’ll watch her burn with my brother. Depends on how far she’s willing to go.”Derek nods and leaves me alone with my monitors and my memories and the woman who doesn’t remember that my blood runs through her veins.She pulls out her phone. Texts someone.I already know it’s Austin. I’ve had her phone cloned since this morning.The message reads: *I’m in. What now?*Austin’s response makes me smile: *Get his office access codes. You have 48 hours.*Mia types back: *I’ll try.*I finish my drink and press the intercom. “Mia? Please come to my study. Now.”On the monitor, I watch her face go white.She thinks I’m testing her.She has no idea I already know everything.