Devils Pact
Rain hammered down as Ava Sinclair tightened her grip on the leather briefcase, each step echoing through the silent marble hallway of Grant Enterprises. Tonight would change everything, so she thought.
The doors to the boardroom flew open, and there he was: The untouchable billionaire and her family’s sworn rival, Liam Grant. He sat back in his chair, oozing confidence, smiling while he looked at her.
"Isn't it a little late for a Sinclair to be wandering around my patch?" he queried in a deep calm drawl.
Ignoring his jab, Ava dropped the briefcase on the table and slid a stack of documents his way. “I need your signature.”
Liam’s eyes flickered with a trace of amusement. “What is this?”
“It’s a contract.” She met his gaze without flinching. “A marriage contract.”
The smirk vanished. Liam’s eyes narrowed, and for the first time, she saw a flicker of surprise break through his steely mask. “You’re joking.”
“I wouldn’t waste my time on jokes.” Ava’s voice hardened. “Our families’ companies are at war. If we don’t join forces for now, my family loses everything. And don’t think for a second that your empire won’t feel the hit either.”
He glanced at the contract, expression unreadable, then back up at her. “And why should I do this for you?”
Ava considered it a moment before taking a chance. Because if you don’t you’ll regret it.
A sharp, humorless laugh hit the room by Liam. “How could you try to blackmail me with such a weak threat? You, of all people, should know that threats don’t work on me.”
In the meantime, Ava removed a stack of photographs from her briefcase as she began to speak. She spread them out and said, “No threats.” “Just leverage.”
Liam clenched his jaw as he looked down at the photos: pictures that could destroy all he’d spent so long building, all his family, was built on.
His voice was low and dangerous, “You set me up.”
Ava's expression remained stoic. “Think of it as a necessary evil. Sign the contract, or I walk out that door with these and let your world come crashing down.”
Tension crackled between them as they both waited for the other to back down. But Ava knew she’d left him no choice. This was war, and she was ready to play dirty.
Without another word, Liam grabbed a pen and signed.
As he handed back the contract, he looked at her with a seething intensity. “Congratulations, Ava. You just made the worst decision of your life.”
She gave him a faint, hollow smile. “We’ll see about that.”
As she turned to leave, his voice followed her, sharp and ice-cold. “Oh, and Ava?”
She paused but didn’t look back.
“Welcome to hell.”
Ava stepped into the elevator, holding the contract signed by them both. She understood this deal had a cost and the danger that awaited her, but she couldn’t get the notion out of her head that she’d misjudged him.
Her phone vibrated once as the elevator doors closed with a single message.
"This isn't over."
Ava’s heart raced as the elevator descended, the faintest whisper of fear slipping into her resolve. What had she just ignited?
