Chapter 7

NERIAH’S POV

“Huh?” The word tumbled out of my mouth before I could stop it. I blinked at him, completely shocked. “Excuse me?”

Denver didn’t flinch. He didn’t even as much as blink.

He just stood there, tall and unbothered, like the fact that he had just murdered a man in front of me didn’t warrant a single twitch in his jaw. The corner of his mouth curled slightly — the kind of smile that made you question whether the man had a soul at all.

“You heard me,” he said, as if we were talking about brunch plans and not marriage.

“This… is some twisted joke, right?” I said slowly, my hands trembling at my sides. “I hope you have the courage to repeat that again when my husband walks through that—”

“Oh, Neriah.” His voice cut through mine like a blade. “Come on. You’re smarter than this. Aren’t you?”

He took a step closer. I could smell gunpowder and expensive cologne.

“Don’t you see it yet?” he said, jaw tightening. “You’re gone. Dead. A memory. Just like me.”

My heart stuttered in my chest. “What are you talking about?”

Denver tilted his head slightly, his eyes cold and too calm. “Your loving husband just told the world you’re dead. Gone. Same way he did to me. Poof. Clean slate. You’re a ghost now, Neriah.”

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. My brain couldn’t keep up. “What…?” I whispered, more to myself than him.

“You were his star girl. Built his company, gave him status, raised his empire with your bare hands,” Denver said, circling slowly like a predator. “Now you’re just collateral damage. You outlived your usefulness.”

And just like that, the harsh reality hit me — cold and sharp like broken glass down my throat.

I really was dead to the world.

To the public. To the man I spent my life building.

I swallowed hard, trying to push down the bile rising up my throat. “And why should I marry you? You think I trust you? You’re worse than him.”

Denver didn’t look offended. If anything, he looked… amused.

“Because I’m your salvation, sweetheart. And I don't come cheap.”

I glared at him.

He leaned against the edge of the table like he had all the time in the world. “Liam’s tried to kill me more times than I can count. I had to fake my own death to breathe. And now? He’ll do the same to you if he so much as smells you’re alive. Look, I’m not asking for love, Neriah. Or trust. Just a contract.”

My eyes narrowed.

He leaned back and crossed one leg over the other. “You want revenge? So do I. You want your life back? I can give you something better.”

“What makes you think I need your help?”

“Because you don’t have a phone, a name, or a face the world recognizes anymore.” He nodded toward the blood-stained rug. “And clearly, you have enemies willing to shoot you in the head for a paycheck.”

I hated how right he was.

He looked at me, his eyes softening just enough to be dangerous. “You’re smart. But smart doesn’t mean safe. Marry me, and you disappear in plain sight. New name. New life. Enough protection to make Liam sweat in his Gucci loafers.”

I didn’t say anything. My fists clenched.

“And when this is over,” he added, “you walk away with everything he stole from you. Plus interest.”

I chewed on my bottom lip, I could almost taste blood. Liam had painted Denver as a monster, a threat. But now? Now I was starting to wonder if that story had always been in reverse.

He’d used me, chewed me up, spat me out, and passed my life over to my sister like a hand-me-down.

I said nothing. A contract marriage sounded ridiculous. But so did Liam and Laura — in my house, with my life, building a life that should’ve been mine.

“Why now?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. “Why help me now?”

Denver’s smile turned razor-sharp. “Because helping you burns him.”

He stood up slowly and deliberate, and walked toward me until we were inches apart.

“Your move, Mrs. Dead-to-the-World,” he whispered, his eyes boring into mine. “Do we have a deal… Or should I do you the mercy Liam couldn’t finish?”

A second passed. And in that silence, something in me snapped — not in fear, but in clarity.

I wouldn’t be anyone’s pawn again.

I looked him straight in the eye.

“Deal,” I said coldly. “I’ll marry you.”