Chapter 5: Behind Closed Doors

The blinding flashes of a hundred camera lenses burned against Chloe’s eyelids as Lucas pulled her through the private rear exit of the Sterling Tower. Security guards formed a solid human wall behind them, holding back the horde of screaming reporters and journalists still clamoring for answers.

​Before Chloe could catch her breath, Lucas ushered her into the back of a luxury black Maybach with tinted bulletproof windows. The heavy door clicked shut, instantly drowning out the chaotic roar of the crowd into dead silence.

​The car accelerated smoothly into the city traffic.

​Chloe slumped against the soft leather seat, her heart still hammering against her ribs like a trapped bird. Her face burned red as the sensation of Lucas’s lips on hers lingered vividly on her skin.

​She turned her head sharply toward him. Lucas was sitting beside her, calmly unbuttoning his charcoal suit jacket and adjusting his dark silk tie as if he hadn't just kissed her in front of the entire nation on live television.

​"Was the kiss really necessary?" Chloe demanded, her voice shaking with a mix of leftover adrenaline and sheer indignation. "That wasn't in the contract, Lucas!"

​Lucas turned his head slowly, his dark, obsidian eyes locking onto her flushed face with an unreadable intensity.

​"Clause 1 of our agreement states that we must maintain convincing public affection," Lucas replied smoothly, his deep voice cool and unbothered. "In case you missed it, Chloe, your sister just tried to ruin us on live TV. A simple hand-hold wouldn't have killed the rumors. A kiss crushed them."

​Chloe bit her lower lip, unable to deny the ruthless efficiency of his actions. "And what you said right before you kissed me... about someone in that room giving Gwen that document... what did you mean?"

​Lucas leaned back against the headrest, his long legs crossed as he looked out the tinted window.

​"Gwen has been hiding in Southeast Asia for three years without a penny to her name," Lucas stated coldly. "She didn't just fly back to the city overnight and walk into my private estate without help. Someone paid for her flight, provided her with security clearance into the building, and handed her those fake documents to sabotage the press conference."

​"Julian?" Chloe asked, frowning.

​"Julian is a small-time coward with big dreams," Lucas sneered softly. "He was just a pawn. Whoever orchestrated today's stunt is someone much higher up in the Sterling chain—someone who stands to gain everything if my contract with you fails."

​A cold shiver ran down Chloe's spine. "Uncle Julian?"

​"Uncle Julian is arrogant, but he's stupid," Lucas murmured, turning his gaze back to her. "There is a mole on the board of directors. And until I find out who it is, you are in danger, Chloe."

​Chloe’s breath hitched. "Danger? Me?"

​"You are my weak spot in the eyes of the public now," Lucas said, his voice dropping into a low, dangerous register as he reached out, his long fingers lightly gripping her chin, forcing her to look directly into his eyes. "They know that to break me, they have to break you. Which is why starting today, you don't step foot outside without my personal bodyguards. And you live under my direct supervision."

​The Maybach pulled into the subterranean private garage of the Grand Horizon Towers—the most exclusive high-rise penthouse building in the city. The private elevator took them directly to the 60th floor, opening into a breathtaking, sprawling penthouse overlooking the entire glittering skyline.

​"Your belongings from your old apartment have already been moved to the guest suite on the east wing," Lucas said, stepping out of the elevator and handing his jacket to the waiting butler. "Your mother's private room at St. Jude Hospital has also been fortified with round-the-clock security."

​Chloe walked over to the floor-to-ceiling glass wall, mesmerized by the view, yet feeling entirely overwhelmed by the sudden turn her life had taken in less than twenty-four hours.

​"I need to visit my mother," Chloe said quietly, turning around to face him. "I want to see her with my own eyes."

​"My driver will take you to the hospital at four o'clock," Lucas agreed, walking over to his marble kitchen counter and pouring himself a glass of ice water. "On one condition."

​Chloe narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "What condition?"

​"You wear the tracking bracelet my security team prepared for you," Lucas stated bluntly, pulling a sleek, delicate rose-gold bracelet from a velvet box on the counter. "No arguments, Chloe."

​Chloe gritted her teeth. "I am your fake fiancée, Lucas, not your prisoner!"

​"You are my responsibility," Lucas countered, closing the distance between them in three long strides until he was standing right in front of her. His towering six-foot-two frame shadowed her completely. "Do you have any idea what my enemies would do to you if they snatched you off the street right now? They would use you to bleed me dry."

​"And would you?" Chloe challenged, looking up into his dark eyes, her pride refusing to back down. "Would you let them bleed you dry for me, Lucas?"

​The room fell into an agonizingly tense silence.

​Lucas stared down at her trembling lips, his jaw tightening as an unreadable shadow crossed his face. He reached out, his large hand taking her wrist with possessive firmness, and snapped the rose-gold bracelet securely onto her skin.

​He leaned down until his breath brushed against her ear, his deep voice dripping with dangerous promise.

​"Try me... and find out."

​Before Chloe could process his thrilling, terrifying response, the penthouse smart-intercom suddenly chimed with an urgent red light!

​The butler’s voice came through the speaker, sounding thoroughly rattled:

​"Mr. Sterling... your grandmother, Matriarch Sterling, has just arrived downstairs. And she demands an immediate dinner with you... and your new bride."