Chapter3:ADealWithTheDevil
1378 Words
A Deal with the Devil
(Aurora’s POV)
Getting Together
I ran into Zane’s office, my pulse pounding, rage and fear twisting within me like a tornado.
He was sitting behind his big mahogany desk, easily scrolling through papers, seeming completely unbothered, like my presence didn’t change his world at all.
It angered me.
I slammed my hands on his desk, making a loud noise that echoed around the room. "Tell me the truth, Zane."
He looked at me with lazy, silver-gray eyes that I couldn't read. "Be clear, Aurora. "I don't have time for your temper tantrums."
I fold my teeth. "The deal. This marriage. Claire said something about "keeping me in the dark." What the heck aren’t you telling me?"
His attitude stayed cool, but I noticed the small tightening of his mouth. "You shouldn’t be eavesdropping, sweetheart."
I let out a frustrated breath. "So you admit it? There’s something more about this arrangement?"
Zane rose slowly, stepping around the desk until he was directly in front of me. He was so near I could feel his expensive smell wrap around me like a cage, yet I refused to back away.
"Aurora," he whispered, his voice smooth yet tinged with caution. "There are things in this world you don’t understand. Things you don’t need to understand."
"Don’t need to understand?" I gave out a sour chuckle. "I’m your wife now, Zane...contract or not! I deserve to know what I signed up for!"
His hand sprang out, fingers twisting under my chin, pushing me to face his eyes.
His touch hurt, yet it wasn’t hard. It was possessive.
"You signed up to play a role," he answered softly, almost lovingly. "That’s it. You grin when I say so. You talk when I let it. And you never..." his grasp tightened just a little, "...question me again."
I swallowed hard, my skin sparking where he touched me. "Or what?"
His lips twisted into something evil, something that sent a shudder down my spine.
"Or you won’t like the consequences."
For a minute, the air between us crackled...anger, fear, something else I didn’t want to describe.
Then he let go, moving back like he hadn’t just shaken my whole world.
"Go get dressed," he answered, ignoring me. "We have a gala to attend."
I stood there, my hands clasped, my heart beating.
I hated him.
I hated the way he ruled me.
But most of all, I hated the idea that his touch still stayed on my skin, making me need something I shouldn’t.
The Gala and the Ex
The charity dinner was dripping in wealth…diamond lights, tables lined with crystal drinks, and guests who probably spent more on their shoes than I had in my whole life.
Zane’s hand gripped firmly on my waist as we walked through the throng, his hold strong enough to remind me who was in command.
Smile. Play your part. Survive.
I pulled my lips into a nice curve, pretending I belonged in this world, pretending I wasn’t drowning in lies.
But then....
"Aurora, darling, I don’t believe we’ve met properly."
The voice was honeyed poison.
I turned, and my breath caught.
She was wonderfully tall, with long, wavy blonde hair and the type of confidence that only came from knowing you were the most beautiful lady in the room.
Her red dress clung to her like sin, her lips twisted into a grin.
And she was looking at me like I was a bug under her shoe.
"I’m Victoria," she whispered, bending her head. "Zane’s ex."
My heart tightened.
I had read about her, Victoria Lane, a famous beauty, the lady who had formerly been on Zane’s arm at every event.
And suddenly she was here, gazing at me like I was nothing.
Zane tensed alongside me, but he didn’t say a word.
"Ex," I said, keeping my voice cool.
Her smirk grew. "Oh, sweetheart." She leaned forward, her perfume strong. "Did he tell you that?"
I swallowed hard, unwilling to let her see my reluctance. "We’re married," I answered, raising my head. "That’s all that matters."
She laughed. A sly, cruel tone.
"Marriage?" she whispered, her eyes shining with pleasure. "Oh, sweetheart, you’re just another contract girl."
The words hit like a slap.
I felt Zane’s grasp tighten on my waist, but I couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe.
"Zane has a habit of using people," Victoria added, sipping her champagne. "I should know I was one of them."
I pushed myself to stand tall. "If you’re so sure of that, why are you still here?"
Her sneer faltered for a second, just enough to tell me I had touched a nerve.
Then she leaned in, whispering only for me to hear.
"Because, darling, I never left."
My stomach sank.
I glanced at Zane, studying his face, but his expression was opaque.
Did he still love her? Was I merely a temporary replacement in his life?
Before I could say anything, Victoria let out a quiet sigh.
"Good luck, Aurora," she purred. "You’ll need it."
Then she went away, leaving me standing there with my heart in pieces.
I felt like an i***t.
A contract girl.
A piece in a game I didn’t understand.
And when I looked up at Zane, his jaw tense, his eyes cold—I knew something horrible.
Victoria was right.
I didn’t know the guy I had married.
And if I wasn’t careful… He would ruin me.
No One Disrespects My Wife Victoria’s laughter still rang in my ears, each word digging into my skin like tiny needles.
Just another contract girl.
I tightened my hands, swallowing the lump in my throat. I wouldn’t let her know that she had gotten to me. I wouldn’t give her the honor.
But before I could even draw a breath, a strong hand curled around my waist, bringing me back into a powerful chest.
Zane.
The air around us darkened as he turned me in his arms, his grip protective, immovable. I barely had time to respond before his words cut through the room like a blade.
"No one disrespects my wife."
The words weren’t loud, but they carried enough power to make the entire hall pause.
Victoria’s smile wavered. "Oh, Zane, don’t tell me you care about—"
"Watch what you say next," he advised, his tone calm, controlled...but fatal. "Or I won’t be so polite."
My heart hammered. Was he protecting me?
Victoria sneered, throwing her golden hair over one shoulder. "Please. We both know she’s merely temporary."
Zane’s fingers curled against my waist. "And yet, she’s the one wearing my ring," he shot back easily. "Not you."
The painful punch caused Victoria’s eyes to darken, but she created an attractive smile. "Oh, Zane," she groaned. "You always did enjoy playing games. But let’s see how long she lasts."
With that, she turned and walked away, her hips swinging, leaving behind nothing but the flavor of expensive perfume and broken pride.
Silence fell between Zane and me.
I was still pushed against his chest, his breath warm on my head. My body was traitorous, drawn to his closeness even while my thoughts shouted at me to leave.
I pushed against him weakly. "You didn’t have to do that."
Zane’s fingers stiffened until he finally let go, moving back just enough to meet my gaze. His stare burned into me, inscrutable. "Yes, I did."
My heart skipped. I shook my head, trying to remove the cloud of his attractive presence. "Why?"
His jaw was fold. "Because you’re mine, Aurora."
My stomach flipped.
Before I could respond, he bent down, his lips brushing dangerously near to my ear.
"And I don’t share what’s mine."
A shudder raced down my spine.
I wanted to argue, to tell him that this wasn’t real. That I wasn’t his.
But before I could even open my mouth…
A voice pierced through the air.
"Sir," Claire, his assistant, came at his side, her countenance strained. "We have a problem."
Zane turned to her, his grasp on my waist gone as if it
had never been there.
I breathed shakily, my thoughts racing.
What was happening to me?
And worse—what was happening to Zane?
Because for a minute, just a moment…
It had felt sincere.
- Writer
