MAVERICK: THE EMPERORS OBSESSION

CHAPTER 2: A GILDED PRISON

The black limousine sliced through the rain-soaked streets of London.

Inside, the silence felt suffocating, broken only by Lexy’s uneven breathing. Across from her, Dante Maverick sat calmly, scrolling through his iPad as if the woman he had just ‘abducted’ were nothing more than an empty seat.

“You can’t do this to me, Dante,” Lexy finally snapped, shattering the silence.

“This is k********g. I can report you to the police!”

Dante didn’t even look up. His fingers moved smoothly across the screen of his iPad.

“The police?”

He let out a mocking laugh.

“Go ahead. Your phone’s in my suit pocket, and my driver is paid very well not to hear anything except my orders.”

“You piece of s**t! You think your money can buy everything?” she shot back, her anger rising.

Dante finally lifted his gaze. His cold eyes settled on her without emotion.

“My money doesn’t buy everything, Lexy. It buys time and results. And tonight, I need both from you.”

The limousine stopped in front of a towering skyscraper in Mayfair, secured with intimidating levels of security. Lexy was escorted into a private elevator that shot upward toward the top-floor penthouse.

When the doors opened, luxury greeted her like a silent threat. White marble floors. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls. The city glittering far below.

Dante tossed his iPad onto a glass table and poured himself a glass of whiskey.

“Take a sit.”

“I’d rather stand. Makes it easier to run when you completely lose your mind.”

A faint smirk touched his otherwise rigid face.

“Run? To where? You need biometric access to leave this place. Now, open the file.”

A black leather folder lay on the table.

Lexy opened it with trembling hands. Her eyes widened at the first line.

“CONTRACT MARRIAGE? TWO YEARS?!”

She stared at him in disbelief.

“You’re insane! I don’t even know you!”

“You know me well from the news. That’s enough,” Dante replied, taking a slow sip of whiskey.

“The Maverick family company is under scrutiny from the board of commissioners. They want me to look ‘stable.’ A family man inspires more trust than a bachelor constantly linked to models.”

“And you chose me? A photographer you just threatened with prison?”

“Because you’re the only person holding evidence that could destroy me. By becoming my wife, legally you won’t be able to testify against me. You’re both an asset and a threat. I prefer handling both in one package.”

Lexy let out a hollow laugh.

“Handling? You think I’m a pet you can tame?”

“I think you’re a woman who needs money, Lexy. I’ve already reviewed your background. Your younger sibling needs a heart transplant, doesn’t he? And your apartment is about to be repossessed next week.”

She froze. Her face was drained of color.

“You… you’ve been spying on my life?”

“I conduct market research before I invest.”

Dante stepped closer, setting down his glass. He braced both hands on the back of the chair where she stood, trapping her between his arms.

“One hundred million dollars. That’s your payment after two years. All your debts cleared. Your sibling gets the best medical care in the world. And you can open your own photography gallery in Paris if you want.”

She could smell the whiskey on his breath—strong, masculine, intoxicating.

“No! I’m not selling myself. The price is too high, Dante. My freedom isn’t for sale to a manipulative businessman like you.”

“Really? Ask yourself something, Lexy. What’s freedom worth if your sibling dies because you were too idealistic?”

Her hands clenched into fists.

“What are the conditions? Besides pretending to love you in front of cameras?”

Dante stepped back slightly, giving her just enough space to breathe.

“The rules are simple. First, no physical touch unless necessary for public appearances. Second, you live here, under my supervision, twenty four hours a day. Third, no secrets between us. If you meet your ex or anyone, you need to tell me.”

“And if I refuse all of that?”

Dante walked to the massive window, his back to her.

“Tomorrow morning, your photos in the Astoria corridor will be reframed as evidence that you attempted to blackmail me. Your career will be done. Your name was destroyed. And your sibling…” He paused.

“You already know the outcome.”

“You’re a devil,” Lexy hissed.

“I’m a businessman. I’m offering the best solution to a problem you created,” he replied, turning around and holding out a gold pen.

“Sign it. Or face the consequences.”

She stared at the pen, then at the man in front of her.

Dante Maverick wasn’t just a billionaire. He was a storm you couldn’t outrun.

With what little pride she had left, Lexy snatched the pen.

“Don’t expect me to play sweet once this starts, Dante.”

“I don’t need you sweet to me, Lexy. I need you to be obedient.”

Scratch. Scratch.

Her signature carved across the paper.

It felt like signing away her soul.

“Good girl,” Dante said coolly.

“Now change your clothes. We have a charity gala in two hours. The world needs to see my future wife for the first time.”

“Two hours?! I haven’t even showered!”

“Marcus arranged a stylist in the next room. Move, Lexy. In my world, being late means losing.”