Chapter Eleven:The Pact
520 Words
Alexia liked late nights best.
They made everything feel private.
Sinful.
She sat in her drawing room, fire guttering low, the scent of dying roses in the air.
On the table before her: brandy, maps of the city, letters she wasn’t supposed to read.
The door opened softly.
Joris Matthew let himself in without knocking.
Of course he did.
He closed the door behind him.
“Summoned me, my lady?”
His voice was mocking, bored, but his eyes glittered.
Alexia didn’t rise.
“Drink?”
He poured himself brandy without asking.
Silence stretched.
Finally he sat opposite her.
“You’re angry,” he observed.
She arched a brow. “Am I?”
He leaned forward, studying her face in the flickering light.
“You are,” he said softly. “You’re very angry.”
Alexia’s fingers drummed the arm of her chair.
She forced herself to stop.
Joris smiled slowly.
“Tell me.”
Alexia met his gaze.
He loves me, she wanted to scream.
He’s mine.
Instead she spoke calmly.
“I want her gone.”
Joris blinked.
Then he laughed.
Low. Ugly.
“Ah. The perfect fiancée.”
His mouth twisted. “Poor Tasia Logan. She’s so...breakable.”
Alexia didn’t smile.
“Don’t underestimate her,” she said quietly.
Joris spread his hands.
“So. You want her dead?”
Alexia’s eyes flashed.
“No.”
He lifted a brow.
“Not dead,” she said slowly. “Just...unworthy. Damaged. Ruined.”
Joris sat back, swirling his drink.
“Ruined how?”
Alexia’s voice dropped to a whisper.
“I don’t care. Lies. Scandal. Whatever it takes. Make Campbell’s family rescind the engagement.”
Joris watched her carefully.
“You want to hurt her.”
Alexia’s lip curled.
“I want him free.”
Silence.
She leaned forward.
“Can you do it?”
He smiled like a shark.
“Oh, Alexia. I can do anything. For the right price.”
She didn’t hesitate.
“You’ll have it.”
He c****d his head.
“Money?”
“Connections. Favors. Whatever you want.”
Joris stood slowly.
He circled behind her chair.
She felt his breath on her neck.
He whispered, “Whatever I want?”
She didn’t flinch.
“Within reason.”
His hand brushed her hair aside.
Chilling.
Intimate.
“Define reason,” he murmured.
She smiled thinly.
“I don’t sleep with dogs.”
Joris chuckled, warm and cold all at once.
“But you’ll let me ruin her.”
Alexia’s eyes glittered.
“I’m counting on it.”
He came back around to face her.
Held out his hand.
“Then we have an understanding.”
She took it.
Their fingers squeezed hard, almost painful.
Alexia didn’t look away.
Joris’s smile sharpened.
“This will be fun.”
Alexia’s voice was quiet but full of iron.
“Just do it.”
As he left, she sank back in her chair.
The fire hissed low.
She watched the flames eat the last logs.
For you, Chase, she thought.
I’ll give you the life you deserve. Even if I have to burn hers to the ground.
- Writer
