BOOK 1: A BILLIONAIRE MASK

CHAPTER 2

The Billionaire's Proposal

The next morning, Brielle arrived at the hospital and immediately regretted it.

Reporters were everywhere. Cameras, microphones, people shouting her name.

"Doctor Arias!"

"Did you save Siege Valentino?"

"Are you romantically involved?"

"Was he attacked because of you?"

Brielle stopped. "What?"

Caspian appeared beside her, blocking a camera with his shoulder. "Don't answer."

A reporter shouted over everyone: "Doctor Arias! Is Siege Valentino your boyfriend?"

Brielle stared. "No."

Another one: "Then why did he leave the hospital in your private car?"

Brielle turned to Caspian. "What?"

Caspian sighed. "He used my car."

"Why?"

"He said his security was compromised."

Brielle rubbed her forehead. "This is a nightmare."

Charmaine arrived in oversized sunglasses and a trench coat. "Good morning, celebrity."

"I hate you."

Charmaine grinned. "You're trending."

"I hate everyone."

Caspian laughed. "Come on. Inside."

They made it through the doors. Brielle’s phone rang. Unknown number.

She answered. "Hello?"

"Doctor Arias."

She recognized the voice instantly. Siege.

"What do you want?"

"To talk."

"No."

A pause. "That's unusual."

"What?"

"People usually say yes."

"I'm not people."

He laughed, low and amused. "Meet me tonight."

"Why?"

"I need you."

Brielle froze. Caspian was watching her.

"What?" he mouthed.

She covered the phone. "Siege."

Caspian’s face went hard. "Put it on speaker."

She did.

"Someone is coming after you," Siege said without preamble.

Brielle’s stomach dropped. "Why?"

"Because you saved me."

"That makes no sense."

"It does in my world."

Caspian leaned in. "Who is targeting her?"

Siege paused. "Someone inside my organization."

Caspian frowned. "Why should we trust you?"

"You shouldn't."

"Then why tell us?"

"Because if Brielle dies, I lose something important."

Brielle stared at the phone. "What exactly?"

Siege’s voice was quiet. "My life."

The call ended.

Charmaine whispered. "That was romantic."

"No, it wasn't."

"It sounded romantic."

"It sounded threatening."

Caspian nodded. "She's right."

That evening, Siege was waiting outside the hospital. Three black SUVs lined the curb. Guards stood like statues.

Brielle approached him. "You wanted to talk."

"Yes."

"Talk."

Siege opened the car door. "Get in."

"No."

"Brielle."

"You don't give orders to me."

His lips curved. "You're stubborn."

"You're controlling."

"I prefer decisive."

"I prefer annoying."

He laughed. "Get in."

She sighed. "Fine."

They drove to a private restaurant. No signs, no crowd. Just candlelight and security at every door.

Brielle looked around. "Why are we here?"

"Privacy."

"You could have rented a room."

"I own this restaurant."

She stared. "Of course you do."

Dinner arrived. Every dish she liked.

"You ordered everything?"

"Yes."

"How did you know what I like?"

Siege paused. "Research."

Her eyes narrowed. "You researched me?"

"Yes."

"That's creepy."

"It's necessary."

She put down her fork. "What exactly do you want?"

Siege looked at her. "I want you to become my personal physician."

"No."

"I'll triple your salary."

"No."

"Five times."

"No."

"Ten."

She stared. "Are you trying to buy me?"

"No."

"Because you're doing an excellent job of making it look that way."

He leaned back. "Then tell me what you want."

"I want you to leave me alone."

"I can't."

"Why?"

"Because you're already involved."

Brielle met his eyes. "And if I refuse?"

Siege’s expression softened. Something real flickered there.

"I'll protect you anyway."

Her heart skipped. She hated that. Hated how sincere he sounded. Hated that she believed him.

"Fine," she whispered.

"What?"

"I'll be your doctor."

Siege smiled. "But?"

"No personal nonsense."

"Agreed."

"No controlling me."

"I'll try."

"No lies."

He went quiet.

Brielle noticed. "You hesitated."

"I said I'll try."

"That wasn't the agreement."

Siege looked at her, steady and unflinching. "In my world, Doctor Arias, sometimes lies keep people alive."

Brielle didn’t know if she could trust him.

But she had already stepped into his world.

And there was no easy way out.