CHAPTER TWO - THE CONTRACT

The pen weighed heavy on my hand. My mind raced with so many what it's.

Staring at the signature line, I tried to convince myself I had another option.

Any other option besides selling my soul to the man who looked at me like I was worthless and exactly what he wanted at the same time.

“Isn't there another way out?”

He smirked. Leaning down from behind, “It's either this or nothing. I won't repeat myself again.”

My vision blurred. Tears stuck at the back of my eyes threatened to fall. I blink back. I cannot let him see me cry.

"Tick! tock!," he said in a singsong voice from behind me. His hands tucked into his pocket.

My hand shook as I pressed the pen to paper.

This was it.

The moment I gave up everything for a man who hated me. For a family that had brought nothing but pain and shame.

I signed my name quickly before I changed my mind. Handing the papers to him, I felt like puking till there's nothing left in my stomach.

“Here, you win”

He took the contract and looked at my signature. He smirked. Satisfaction, obvious on his face.

"Congratulations, Mrs. Greyson," he said softly. "You're mine now."

The words sent shivers to my entire body making me fidget.

“I need to use the restroom.”

He looked straight into my eyes.

“Are you alright?”

“It's not like you care, Kaid. Point me to the restroom.” My voice shook almo giving away how i truly felt.

“You're my wife now. So I care.”

“Use mine. The door behind the cabinet.”

The door led to a spacious grey room. I wondered if he slept here most nights he could go home or….

“Get to your business Sage.” I scolded myself.

I ran water over my face. Looked at my now pale skin added to the dark circles beneath my eyes in the mirror.

“I can do this! I will do this. I have to save my family somehow.”

“ …. File and approve the document now. I'll pay whatever it costs.” I heard him tell whoever was on the line before he dropped the call.

He turned, staring me up.

“What's next?” I asked.

He set the phone aside and moved closer. Reached out and cupped my face with both hands. His touch, surprisingly gentle but I was confused.

"What are you doing?," I whispered.

"Testing the merchandise." His thumb traced my bottom lip. "We need to see if this is going to work."

"Kaid, don't—"

He kissed me. It wasn't soft or sweet or anything like a first kiss should be. It was brutal, dominating and demanding. Full of all the anger and hatred that had been building between us for months. His mouth crushed against mine and his hands tightened in my hair and I couldn't breathe.

Couldn't think

Couldn't do anything but feel.

And God help me I kissed him back.

My hands fisted in his shirt, pulling him closer even though every rational part of my brain screamed at me to stop. But I was stupid.

His tongue slide into my mouth and I tasted coffee and mint and something sinful.

Something that made heat pool between my thighs.

This was wrong. So fucking wrong.

But it felt like the first real thing I'd experienced in months. So I shut my thoughts down.

Kaid pulled back suddenly and we stood there staring at each other. Both breathing hard. His eyes were wild and his mouth was swollen and he looked like he wanted to either kiss me again or throw me out the window.

"That was a mistake," I said, trying salvage what's left of my already lost pride.

"No." His voice was rough. "That was a preview. Get used to it, Sage. Because you just agreed to give me everything."

He released me and stepped back. Straightened his tie like nothing had happened.

"Go home," he said. "Pack your things. I'll have a car pick you up tomorrow morning at eight.”

I nodded, about to leave. “Sage.” stopping me dead on my tracks. “We're telling our parents about our engagement tonight at dinner. Be ready.”

"Tonight?" My head began to spin immediately. "That's too fast."

"We don't have time to waste." He sat back down at his desk. "The story is we've been secretly seeing each other for two months. We fell in love and decided we couldn't hide and wait any longer.

You'll wear this."

He opened a drawer and pulled out a small black box. Tossed it across the desk to me.

I caught it and opened it. Inside was a ring. A massive diamond that probably cost more than my entire life right now.

It was beautiful. It was a prison.

“You already had this planned?”

"Put it on," Kaid said without looking up. "Get used to the weight."

I slipped the ring into my finger and it fit perfectly. Of course it did.

"Anything else?" I asked and hated how small my voice sounded.

"Yes." He finally looked at me again. "Don't make me regret this, Sage. Follow the rules. Play your part. And maybe we'll both survive this arrangement without destroying each other."

I wanted to throw the ring at his face.

Wanted to scream that I'd made a terrible mistake.

But I just nodded.

"Good girl," he said and the words made my stomach flutter "Now get out. I have work to do."

I walked to the door on shaking legs.

"Sage."

I stopped and looked back. Again

He watched me with those cold blue eyes and something that might have been regret flashed across his face. But it was gone so fast. I probably imagined it.

"Welcome to hell," he said softly with a smirk gracing his perfect face.

“How can someone so beautiful be this cruel?” I murmured to no one in particular.

I made it to my beat up car before the tears started. Before the reality of what I'd done came crashing over me like a bloody tornado.

“What have I done?” I questioned myself. As the tears streamed down my face.

I'd signed a contract with the devil and something told me I was going to pay for it. Maybe with my life.

My phone buzzed with a text from Kaid.

Kaid: Reservation at Daisy's by eight. Wear something that makes you look like you're in love with me.

I stared at the messageand. churned. My stomach churned, making me want to throw up in my carTonight I'd have to look my mother in the eye and tell her I was marrying my stepbrother.

“How

The lie would both save us and destroy us. But the destruction will hit harder.

My phone buzzed again. It was a text from an unknown number. “You're brave. I will give you that. I will be watching.”