Chapter Four – The Claim
403 Words
Adrian’s POV
The charity gala was a necessary evil.
High-profile handshakes, polite lies, and reporters angling for a scandal. I preferred to avoid these events, but Vale Enterprises’ upcoming launch meant I couldn’t.
What I hadn’t planned on was Elena Carter walking through the ballroom doors.
She wasn’t here for me—she was here representing a client she’d worked with before—but the moment I saw her, the rest of the room blurred. That bright yellow dress from our first meeting had been replaced with deep emerald silk, hugging her curves and catching the light with every step.
A man I didn’t recognize stepped into her path, offering her champagne. She smiled politely, took the glass, and said something that made him laugh.
I felt it then—that sharp, uninvited flare in my chest. Possession.
Before I realized I was moving, I was crossing the floor toward her.
“Elena.”
She turned, surprise flickering across her face, before settling into a slow, knowing smile. “Adrian. I didn’t realize you’d be here.”
“You should have.” I took the champagne from her hand and set it on a passing waiter’s tray without asking. “You’re with me tonight.”
Her brows rose. “Excuse me?”
I didn’t answer. I simply placed my hand at the small of her back and steered her toward the far side of the room, away from too many curious eyes.
“You’re working,” she reminded me.
“So are you,” I said evenly. “But that doesn’t mean you need to spend the evening entertaining men who think a pretty face equals an open invitation.”
She stopped, forcing me to face her. “You’re not my date, Vale.”
The way she said my name—soft, defiant—was a challenge I wanted to win.
“Then consider this a professional escort,” I murmured. “For your safety, of course.”
Her eyes narrowed, but she didn’t pull away when I guided her to the main table beside me. And when the next man approached her with a smile, I didn’t have to say a word—one glance from me had him retreating like smoke in the wind.
For the rest of the evening, Elena stayed exactly where I wanted her—beside me.
And I realized something dangerous: I liked the way it felt.
- Writer
