CHAPTER 5: DANGEROUS GAMES
656 Words
The restaurant was the kind of place without prices—because if you had to ask, you didn’t belong. Private, exclusive, and empty except for one table by the window where Kade waited.
Sienna arrived on time, dressed in black—professional, controlled, but undeniably feminine. Kade stood as she approached, and she hated the way her pulse reacted.
“You came,” he said, pulling out her chair.
“You doubted it?”
“I hoped you would. There’s a difference.” His gaze lingered. “You look beautiful.”
“This isn’t a date.”
“No,” he agreed. “It’s more interesting.”
Wine appeared—already ordered, already poured. His confidence should have irritated her. Instead, it intrigued her.
“You wanted this meeting,” she said. “Why?”
“Because I find you fascinating.”
“I’m not here to entertain you.”
“You’re here to prosecute me.” He leaned back. “So tell me why?”
“Because you’ve broken the law.”
“Allegedly.”
“The evidence suggests—”
“The evidence suggests nothing,” he cut in smoothly. “Because there is none. So I’ll ask again why?”
Sienna met his gaze. “Because men like you think you’re above consequences. Someone needs to prove otherwise.”
“Noble,” he murmured. “But incomplete. You’ve built your career prosecuting alphas. Why?”
“That’s not your concern.”
“Everything about you is my concern now.”
The possessiveness in his tone sent a chill through her.
“You don’t own me, Kade.”
“Not yet.”
The words lingered.
“This case,” she said, refocusing, “it’s not what it seems. The evidence is too clean. Someone’s protecting you or you’re protecting someone.”
“What if it’s both?”
“Then this is bigger than corporate crime.”
He studied her, something approving in his eyes.
“There are things in this city you don’t understand,” he said quietly. “Power beyond your legal system. Your case is a distraction.”
“For what?”
“That’s the question.” He leaned closer. “You could walk away. No one would blame you.”
“I don’t walk away.”
“I know. That’s what makes you dangerous.”
“To you?”
“To yourself.” His hand hovered near hers. “You think you’re hunting me, but you have no idea what you’ve stepped into. There are people far worse than me.”
“Then help me,” she said. “Tell me the truth.”
He laughed softly. “And why would I?”
“Because I don’t think you’re the villain.”
That caught him off guard.
“You don’t know me.”
“No,” she said. “But I want to.”
Silence stretched between them.
Then his hand covered hers—warm, firm, possessive. The contact sent a sharp awareness through her.
“If I tell you the truth,” he said, “there’s no going back. You risk everything.”
“I’m not afraid.”
“You should be.” His thumb brushed her palm. “Because once you’re part of my world, I won’t let you go.”
She didn’t pull away.
“Then tell me.”
His gaze darkened.
Then his phone buzzed.
He glanced at it, expression hardening. “We’re out of time.”
“Kade—”
“Tomorrow. Same time. I’ll tell you everything.”
“Where?”
He pulled her close.
“My penthouse. Come alone. Trust no one.”
His hand rose to her face, brushing her cheek.
“Be careful,” he murmured. “Once you walk through my door, everything changes.”
Then he was gone.
Sienna stood alone, heart racing.
She should walk away.
She wouldn’t.
Tomorrow night, she’d go.
And nothing would ever be the same.
- Writer
