The deal with the devil

Leila stared at Adrian Kane, trying to process the insanity of what she had just agreed to.

Marriage.

Not a relationship. Not an arrangement. But a full-fledged, legally binding marriage.

The weight of it settled in her stomach like lead.

She had spent months investigating him, chasing down leads, exposing corruption. And now? She was going to become his wife?

Adrian watched her carefully, the ghost of a smirk still playing on his lips, as if this was nothing more than another business deal to him.

Leila clenched her fists. “I need to see proof. That my brother is safe.”

Adrian nodded once, smooth and controlled, as he picked up his tablet again. He tapped the screen, and a live security feed appeared.

Her breath hitched.

Tunde.

He was in a car, looking tense but unharmed, scrolling through his phone. Next to him sat a man in a dark suit—one of Adrian’s people, no doubt.

“What is this?” she demanded.

“Insurance,” Adrian said smoothly. “I wanted to make sure you made the right choice.”

Leila’s blood boiled. “You had him followed?”

Adrian tilted his head. “Followed? No. Protected? Yes. There’s a difference.”

She wanted to slap that smug expression off his face. But she couldn’t afford to lose her temper—not now.

“You’re disgusting,” she said, voice low.

Adrian chuckled, clearly unaffected by the insult. “I’ve been called worse.”

She exhaled sharply. “And when this is over? Tunde walks away from this, no strings attached?”

Adrian nodded. “You have my word.”

Leila didn’t trust his word. But she had no choice.

She squared her shoulders. “Fine.”

His smirk widened. “Then let’s get started.”

The Terms of the Agreement

The following afternoon, Leila sat in Adrian’s office, staring at the thick contract on the mahogany desk in front of her.

His office, much like the man himself, was sleek, powerful, and meticulously controlled. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city skyline, and every piece of furniture was polished to perfection.

Adrian sat across from her, his jacket draped over the back of his chair, sleeves rolled up just enough to reveal the expensive watch on his wrist. He looked entirely at ease, as if this was just another day at the office.

Leila, on the other hand, was anything but at ease.

She scanned the contract, her fingers tightening around the pen.

“This is insane,” she muttered.

Adrian leaned back, amusement flickering in his eyes. “You say that like it’s a surprise.”

Leila glared at him. “Let’s go over this again.”

He gestured for her to continue, as if humoring her.

She gritted her teeth. “Six months. We stay married for six months, and in exchange, my brother is left alone. No harm, no threats, no blackmail.”

Adrian nodded. “Correct.”

She continued. “We live together.”

“Yes.”

She inhaled slowly, forcing herself to keep reading.

“There will be public appearances. Events. Interviews.” She looked up. “You expect me to play the role of the devoted wife?”

His lips twitched. “That is what wives do.”

Leila ignored the heat rising in her cheeks. “No physical expectations,” she read aloud. “So, what? You just want a pretty prop to make your image look better?”

Adrian didn’t blink. “I need stability. You need protection. It’s mutually beneficial.”

Leila narrowed her eyes. “And when this is over?”

He folded his hands on the desk. “We divorce. Cleanly. No scandals, no messy fallout.”

Simple.

Except nothing about Adrian Kane was ever simple.

She lifted the pen, then hesitated.

If she signed this, she would be tying herself to the one man she had spent months trying to take down.

But if she didn’t, Tunde would pay the price.

Her fingers tightened around the pen.

Then, without another word, she signed her name.

Adrian smiled. “Welcome to your new life, Mrs. Kane.”

A New Reality

The next morning, Leila woke up in Adrian Kane’s penthouse.

It was surreal.

The place was massive—high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, modern decor with sharp edges and sleek lines. It was expensive without being ostentatious. Cold. Impersonal.

Just like him.

She pulled the sheets tighter around herself, still adjusting to the reality of it all.

Yesterday, she had been an independent journalist, chasing one of the biggest stories of her career. Today, she was Adrian Kane’s wife.

Her stomach twisted.

She needed to remind herself that this was temporary. A business arrangement. Nothing more.

A knock on the bedroom door made her sit up.

Before she could answer, the door opened, and Adrian strolled in, looking as infuriatingly put-together as ever. He had already dressed for the day, his black suit pristine, his dark hair neatly styled.

Leila scowled. “Ever heard of knocking?”

Adrian smirked. “You’re my wife now. You’ll have to get used to my presence.”

She rolled her eyes. “What do you want?”

He walked over to the window, glancing out at the city. “We have a press event this evening. Our first appearance as a married couple.”

Leila groaned. “Already?”

“You didn’t think we’d have time for a honeymoon, did you?”

She shot him a glare. “If you even mention the word honeymoon again, I will throw something at you.”

Adrian chuckled. “Duly noted.”

She pushed the covers off and stood, ignoring the way his gaze flickered over her briefly before he turned back toward the window.

“What kind of event?” she asked, arms crossed.

“A charity gala. High-profile. The media will be watching closely.”

Leila sighed. “And I assume you expect me to act like the perfect doting wife?”

Adrian turned, smirking. “Oh, darling—I expect you to convince them.”

Her stomach twisted at the way he said it.

Like he already knew she would.

Like he already knew he was winning.

She exhaled slowly.

Fine. If this was how the game was played, she would play along.

For now.

But Adrian Kane had no idea who he was dealing with.

And before this was over, she would make sure he was the one losing.