The lies between us

Chapter 17: The Deal with the Devil

Lena’s hands tightened around the document.

The words blurred as her mind raced. Ethan knew. About Damien. About her plans to reclaim her company. Even about Victoria’s double-dealing behind the scenes.

She looked up, meeting Ethan’s gaze. “How did you get this?”

Ethan’s smile was slow and dangerous. “Does it matter?”

“It matters to me.” Her voice sharpened.

Ethan took a step closer, the heat of his presence making her muscles coil. “Let’s just say I have friends in high places.”

Lena’s breath hitched. If Ethan had this information, it meant he had access to her inner circle. Someone had fed him the details—someone close to her.

Her chest tightened. Was it Damien?

Ethan’s gaze sharpened. “You’re running out of time, Lena.”

She forced herself to breathe evenly. “What exactly are you offering?”

Ethan reached into his pocket and produced another folded piece of paper. “A merger.”

Lena’s eyes narrowed. “You want to merge our companies?”

“Not just the companies.” His smile turned wicked. “You and me, Lena. Back where we belong.”

A wave of cold swept through her. “You’re delusional.”

Ethan’s smirk deepened. “Am I? I have the power to bury Damien—and your precious plans—with one phone call. But if you sign this…” He extended the paper toward her. “You’ll have control of everything. The company. The board. All of it.”

Her jaw tightened. “And the catch?”

“You come back to me.” Ethan’s eyes darkened. “Publicly and privately. No more hiding. No more games.”

Lena’s chest burned with fury. “You think you can buy me?”

“I don’t need to buy you.” Ethan’s hand brushed her chin, and she resisted the urge to slap it away. “I already own you.”

Her heart hammered painfully. Her mind screamed to throw him out, to fight—but the document in her hands was real power. The kind of leverage she could only dream of having.

But at what cost?

Cliffhanger:

Lena’s fingers hovered over the edge of the paper.

And then Ethan leaned in, his lips brushing her ear.

“Tick tock, Lena. Time’s running out.”