CHAPTER FOUR

The next morning the sound of glass shattering woke me before I even opened my eyes.

Someone was inside.

My heart jumped into my throat. I bolted upright and froze.

Footsteps. Heavy and fast. The unmistakable sound of doors being kicked in.

“Leo Carter! We’re taking what’s ours!”

Shit.

I scrambled out of bed, heart hammering, and looked around.

Within minutes, the men had thrown everything: books, clothes, electronics onto the floor. Their eyes were red and cruel. They didn’t care that I was only twenty-three, that I was broke, or that I had nowhere to go.

“Pay up!” one shouted.

“I I don’t have it!” I stammered. My voice shook. “I don’t have the money!”

They laughed, a sound that made my stomach feel sick.

“That’s not our problem,” another said. “You signed. You owe. You pay, or you leave everything behind.”

And just like that… I had nothing. No apartment, no furniture, no home. Just a pile of ruined belongings and a very real sense of panic.

I ran out the back door, barefoot, gasping in the cold morning air. My mind raced. Where the hell was I supposed to go? I couldn’t go to Max house. He lived with his crazy girlfriend. Where would I go? My mom’s stupid new husband doesn’t want to see me around his house. I don’t have any friends except Max.

The only hope I have is Grayson Knight.

The thought made my stomach sick in a mix of fear, shame, and… need. He had offered help once. I had walked away. Now… maybe I didn’t have a choice.

By the time I reached Magical the next morning, I was out of breath, shaking, and completely humiliated.

Alex was still at the front desk. She looked at me like she’d seen it all before.

“You look like hell,” she said, her tone neutral.

“You have no idea,” I muttered, ignoring the quiver in my voice.

“Here to see him again?” she asked.

I hesitated. Then nodded.

She studied my face for a moment. “Top floor.”

I didn’t wait for her to ask questions. I went straight for the elevator. Up to the top floor. To him.

Grayson Knight’s office. The place I had survived walking into just days ago.

I knocked. No answer.

I knocked again, louder this time.

“Come in.”

I pushed the door open and the moment I saw him, something inside me broke.

He was behind his desk, calm as ever, sleeves rolled up.

“You again,” he said. His voice was cool, almost amused. “Did you change your mind?”

I tried to speak.

Nothing came out.

My chest tightened, my throat burned, and suddenly I was crying. Not quiet tears. Real ones. Shaking.

“I I lost everything,” I choked. “They came this morning. They destroyed my apartment. I don’t have anything left.”

Grayson didn’t move. Didn’t interrupt.

“I don’t have money,” I continued, wiping my face with my sleeve. “I don’t have a place to sleep. I don’t have anyone. I swear I tried, I tried to fix it myself.”

He remained.

Then he stood up.

Walking towards me slowly.

“You ran,” he said calmly. “And now you’re back.”

“I didn’t have a choice,” I whispered. “I don’t.”

I dropped into the chair in front of his desk, my hands shaking.

“Please,” I said, my voice breaking again. “I’ll do anything. I can’t survive like this.”

He leaned against the desk, arms crossed.

“I already told you what I offer,” he said. “Nothing has changed.”

I looked up at him, eyes red. “You mean the contract?”

“Yes.”

My stomach felt sick. “The one where you own me.”

“No,” he corrected. “The one where we both benefit.”

I laughed weakly. “That’s not how it sounded last time.”

He stepped closer. “You need money, fame and Security. Protection.”

“And you need… what?” I asked quietly.

His eyes darkened.

“You.”

I swallowed hard.

“You’d live under my rules,” he continued. “You’d stay where I tell you. Do what I ask.”

“And the rest?” I asked.

He tilted his head. “Friends with benefits.”

The words hit me like a slap.

“I don’t want a relationship,” he said flatly. “I want access.”

My hands clenched in my lap. “Sex.”

“Yes.”

“No pretending,” he added. “No feelings. No confusion.”

My chest hurt.

“And if I say no?” I whispered.

He straightened. “Then you walk out. Same as before.”

I laughed bitterly. “And go where?”

He didn’t answer.

I wiped my face again. “You’re really not going to change it.”

“No.”

I looked down. Thought of sleeping outside. Thought of those men coming back.

“I don’t want this,” I said honestly.

“I know,” he replied.

“But I need it.”

He waited.

Minutes passed.

My voice came out barely above a whisper.

“I’ll agree.”

His eyebrow lifted. “Say it clearly.”

“I’ll sign your contract,” I said, tears slipping again. “Friends with benefits. Your rules. I’ll do it.”

He studied me for a long moment.

“You’re desperate,” he said.

“Yes.”

“And you understand there’s no walking away.”

“I understand.”

He nodded once.

“Good.”

He moved back to his desk and pressed a button on his phone.

“Prepare the contract,” he said. “Same terms.”

He looked at me again.

“You start tonight.”

My heart slammed.

“Tonight?”

He smiled slightly. “Did you think desperation came with delays?”

I nodded slowly.

“Good,,” he said. “Because once you step into my world, Leo ”

He paused, eyes locking onto mine.