“No deal, sweetheart.I already told you it’s not that simple,” he reminds me.“Someone like you leaving a man of my status makes no sense.It gets people wondering.They’ll start talking, making up stories.Stories that might put me in a bad light.A risk I am not willing to take.”
Fury rising, I turn my back to him, hands balled into fists, jaw clenched so tight I fear my teeth might crack.I grasp at whatever shred of control I have left.
“If you want out of this engagement so badly, there should be no question in anyone’s mind that you’re the one at fault.”He pauses momentarily.“You’ll have to be seen with another man, and I don’t mean holding hands.You’ll have to put on a show.Give them something to talk about.Make it clear you’re the reason I break off this engagement.”
I spin back around.“You want me to cheat on you?”My voice rises in disbelief.“Seriously?”
“Relax, it’s just a performance.One night, one incident,” he replies.“I’ll make sure key people are at the club with me to bear witness and spread the word.Then you can go back to your mediocre life and move out of mine.”
I stare at him, my mind reeling.“This is insane.”
“This is my offer.The only deal on the table.”His hand hovers, then descends, fingertips barely touching the surface, like a spider landing on its web.“Question is: Do you have what it takes,wholesomeAmy?”
“Only you would make my devotion feel like a weakness.”I spit the words at him.
I shake my head, tears now flowing freely down my cheeks.
“Yes or no,” he insists, as if my feelings are of no consequence.“You in?Or out?”
I swipe my wet cheeks, determined not to let him see me break.
“You want to end this?”he continues, oblivious to my pain.“This is how it ends.”
I inhale deeply and finally speak up.“You will stop threatening me with your fucking loan and agree to let me repay it in monthly installments.”
“Done,” he agrees instantly.
“I want it in writing, signed, the minute I go through with this,” I demand.
“Well, well.”He lets out a dark chuckle.“Look who’s finally agreed to play.”
“I’m serious, James.”
“Oh, so am I,” he reassures me.“But if I were you, I would worry less about the paperwork and more about where you’ll be living once you move out of my apartment.”
His words stop me cold.
Of all the things I’ve considered, this is the one thing I completely overlooked.
“Oh, you forgot about that little detail, didn’t you…” A sly smile curves his lips.“I could be swayed if you’re willing to trade sex for lodging—”
“Fuck you, James!”
I reach for the door handle when he stops me.“Shouldn’t you be asking me for the time and place?”
Taking one last deep breath, I turn around, meeting his gaze with a cold, deadpan stare.
“Next Friday, Hydra Nightclub.Make sure you and your new beau are romancing and gallivanting around my usual booth no later than eleven.I’ll take care of the rest.”
“That’s only a week away.”
“That’s your deadline.”He shrugs indifferently.“And no public cheating, no deal.Be sure to remember that.”
“Just bring the signed paperwork with you.”I yank the door open.
“One last thing…” I roll my eyes in frustration before facing him again.“Leave that black wig of curls at home this time.”He winks.
“Go to hell!”I shout, slamming the door behind me.
