Chapter Four

RAVEN

Summer asked me to excuse the room a few minutes after the CEO left, and I nodded like my legs weren’t threatening to fold beneath me. Somehow, I even managed a polite smile. She returned it, warm and reassuring, and somehow it felt like nothing in the world could possibly go wrong here.

“They’re deciding, don't worry,” she said as she guided me back toward the waiting area. “This company doesn’t waste time.”

I murmured a thank you and took a seat, gripping my bag so tightly my fingers ached. My mind refused to let go of grey-tinted glasses and his presence. Ten minutes passed and my bladder decided to betray me at the worst possible time.

What if they come to find me and don't see me?!

I stood and excused myself from the small group waiting nearby, scanning the corridor until I spotted Summer again.

Thank Goodness.

She was standing near a glass office, rearranging folders with carefully.

“Summer?” I said, approaching carefully. “I, um… need the restroom.”

Her expression shifted apologetically. “The ladies’ restroom on this floor is under maintenance. Same with the one above and below. You’ll need to use the third floor.”

Shit!

I forced another smile. “Okay. Thank you.”

The elevator arrived almost instantly. I stepped inside, grateful for the moment alone. Just before the doors closed, an elderly cleaner hurried in, struggling with an absurd stack of supplies that looked like they might topple over at any second.

“Oh—here,” I said, steadying the load.

She smiled at me, eyes crinkling. “You’re a sweet girl. Second floor, please.”

I pressed the button and rode down with her. When the doors opened, she shuffled out slowly, and I followed without really thinking, more focused on making sure she didn’t fall flat on her face.

“Do you know where the restroom is?” I asked once she set the supplies down.

She pointed down a hallway. “That way. First left.”

I nodded, “Thank you,” I replied, waving as she disappeared around the corner.

My phone buzzed almost immediately.

It was Cameron.

Cam: Spill. How’s it going?

I scoffed softly, turning right and heading toward the stairs.

Me: No idea. The CEO is a complete asshole but I’m good, everything is going well so far.

Cam: He’s a don, Rae, watch your words. Just come home and tell me if the rumors about him being drop-dead gorgeous are true, I want to know if he's worth the hype.

I snorted. Gorgeous didn’t even begin to cover it, but she’d never hear that from me.

Me: Whatever.

I took another right turn, barely glancing up.

Cam: You’re literally today's topic here. Turns out the telecom was on when you were being interviewed yesterday. I still can’t believe you roasted those disrespectful assholes yesterday.

I smiled despite myself, typing back as I walked.

Me: Really? Poor people problems, heh!

Cam: They deserved it. I’m proud of you.

I laughed quietly, still typing, and pushed open a door without looking.

The air changed almost immediately, the temperature dropping.

The hallway was darker than it should’ve been, colder too, the silence pressing in on my ears. I slowed, lowering my phone.

“Uh…”

There were no signs, lights or even movements

I took another step forward, unease creeping into my chest.

“Okay. Definitely not here.”

I turned to leave but halted when I heard a distant yet loud cry, slicing through the silence, each note dripping with pain that sent every nerve in me firing at once.

Another cry followed, closer this time. Someone was begging.

I quickly turned around, following the sound. If someone was in trouble then they really need help.

The hallway sloped downward, the air growing heavier with every step. My heart pounded so loudly I was sure it would give me away. The continuous scream led me around a corner, and the moment I stepped into the open space, my body froze.

Kade stood in front of a man tied to a chair.

The man was shaking, sobbing, words spilling out in broken pleas. Kade didn’t respond, he simply lifted a knife already slick with blood and drove it into the man’s throat.

I felt my blood flow slow down, my eyes not leaving the sight. A choked sob escaped me before I could stop it. I clapped a hand over my mouth and stumbled behind a concrete pillar, my legs barely holding me upright. Blood spread across the floor, the familiar metallic smell filling my lungs.

It was almost the same image. My father on the ground with blood everywhere and a knife in another man’s hand.

My chest tightened until I could no longer breath. I broke into choked heaves. With sweat running down my spine as my vision blurred.

Please. Please don’t let him see me.

But the sound of footsteps told me my prayers weren't answered. I knew it without seeing him. I could smell his cologne and the blood on him.

They stopped nearby.

I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to steady my breathing and not choke on the bike rising up my throat in the process.

I thought of running. Of abandoning the deal. Letting my mother sell the bakery. I’d work anywhere, do anything.

“Why not bring a pen,” he said calmly. “Our little baker must be eager to sign if she came looking for me herself.”

My body went cold.

He knew.

My phone trembled in my hand. I could run. I was fast. I could scream—

“Running will only make things messier,” he continued, unbothered. “And more interesting. You came to sign our partnership, did you not?”

It wasn’t a question.

My feet moved on their own. I stepped out slowly, refusing to look at the body. My stomach twisted violently.

Kade wiped his hands with a towel, composed as if he’d done nothing more than finish a routine task as his gaze settled on me.

“Apologies for the unpleasant sight,” he said flatly.

“Where’s the… contract?” I asked, my voice barely steady.

I'm pretty sure he'd kill me if i didn't sign it.

Javier gestured to a table set neatly in the garage. Two files rested on it.

I slowly walked towards it and opened the first one. My name stared back at me, printed neatly at the top. I signed without reading, my hand shaking, the ink uneven and rushed. I didn’t even care anymore, I just wanted to leave.

Javier indicated another line. I signed again. He separated the documents, handing one back to me.

The moment the pen left my fingers, I turned around and ran.

I didn’t stop until I was outside, gasping for air. I jumped into the first cab I saw and told the driver to take me home.

Only asking the driver to stop few minutes later so I could throw up.

I had signed a partnership with a murderer.

When I finally went home, the house erupted the moment I stepped inside. Worries overlapping with questions.

My mother cupped my face. “Is this about the bakery again? Raven, I told you it’s useless. Stop doing this to yourself, you could’ve sold it—”

I glared at her.

“The bakery isn’t useless!” I yelled. “And I’m not selling it.”

They all stopped, staring at me like I've grown two heads, I pulled the file from my bag and slammed it on the table. “There. I got the partnership.”

“Oh my Go—Really?” Cam screamed in excitement, rushing to grap the file, she flipped it open and after a few seconds her smile fell.

“What… is this?” She asked. My mother and the others rushed to her side, their smile also falling after seconds.

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

She pointed at the file, horror on her face. “Raven, This is a marriage contract.”

A what—?

A knocked came on the door because I could actually grasped what she was saying and almost immediately the door was gently pushed open and Kade stepped inside.

His eyes found mine instantly.

“I see you just found out about the document, Miss Statham.“ He said Calmly. “That should be good, but you're going to have to get ready. Our wedding is tomorrow.”