CHAPTER 5
1078 Words
The Room of Shadows
Clara’s heart pounded as she stood at the entrance of the dimly lit room. The men inside barely acknowledged her presence, their cold, calculating gazes focused solely on Smith. The only sound was the soft hum of the chandelier swaying slightly above them.
At the center of the room sat a long table, the deep mahogany surface polished to perfection. An empty chair stood at the head.
Smith nudged her forward. “Sit.”
Clara hesitated, glancing at Vivian, whose sharp expression betrayed a silent warning.
“Why?” Clara asked, her voice more steady than she felt.
One of the men chuckled under his breath, a low, rumbling sound. “You’re in no position to ask questions, Mrs. Richmond.”
The way he said her new name sent a shiver down her spine.
Mrs. Richmond.
As if she truly belonged to Smith.
Smith placed a firm hand on her lower back, guiding her forward until she reluctantly took a seat. He remained standing, his presence looming over her like a shadow.
Vivian crossed her arms, choosing to remain by the door, though Clara could see the tension in her stance.
The man at the far end of the table, a figure in a dark gray suit with graying hair and sharp, piercing eyes, leaned forward. “Let’s not waste time. Smith, you’ve created quite a mess.”
Smith remained unfazed. “Nothing I can’t handle.”
The man arched a brow. “Is that so?” His gaze flickered toward Clara, then back to Smith. “Because it looks like you’ve dragged an innocent girl into this, and we both know she isn’t prepared for what’s coming.”
Clara clenched her fists under the table. What the hell is going on?
She turned to Smith, her voice low. “Tell me what this is.”
Smith exhaled slowly before speaking. “These men—” he gestured toward them, “—are the ones who hold power in this city. Businessmen. Investors. Deal makers.”
Clara frowned. “Then why do I feel like I just walked into a crime syndicate meeting?”
The man in gray smirked. “Smart girl.”
Smith shot him a warning glance before turning to Clara. “I told you before—there are things happening in this city that you don’t understand. This is one of them.”
Clara’s pulse pounded. “And how does this involve James?”
A tense silence followed.
The man in gray tapped his fingers against the table. “James made a mistake. He got involved in something bigger than him.”
Clara’s breath hitched. “What do you mean?”
Smith’s jaw clenched. “He was looking into things he shouldn’t have.”
Vivian scoffed from the doorway. “You mean he was looking into you.”
Clara’s stomach twisted.
Smith didn’t deny it.
Her voice barely came out. “What did you do?”
Smith exhaled sharply, his patience wearing thin. “This isn’t about what I did. It’s about what happens next.”
The man in gray leaned back, steepling his fingers. “The real question is—what are you willing to do, Clara?”
Her heart pounded. “What do you mean?”
The man smirked. “Are you willing to play the game?”
A Proposal of Power
Clara’s mind raced. “You’re talking in riddles. Just tell me what you want.”
The man tilted his head, studying her. “You want James back, don’t you?”
Clara’s stomach dropped. “You know where he is?”
A knowing silence stretched between them.
Clara’s chest tightened. “Tell me!”
The man in gray chuckled. “That depends on you, my dear.”
Smith exhaled. “What he’s saying is—there’s a price.”
Clara’s fingers clenched around the arms of the chair. “What kind of price?”
The man in gray smiled, a slow, knowing grin. “Loyalty.”
Clara’s throat tightened. “Loyalty?”
He nodded. “To Smith.”
Clara’s head snapped toward her so-called husband. “What the hell is this?”
Smith finally met her gaze. “You want the truth, Clara? Then you need to trust me.”
Vivian let out a bitter laugh. “Oh, this is rich.” She turned to Clara. “You see now? This was never about James. It’s about keeping you under control.”
Clara’s pulse pounded. She’s right.
She looked at Smith. “So you’re saying if I don’t play along, I’ll never see James again?”
Smith’s expression darkened. “I’m saying this is your best chance.”
Clara’s breath came in shallow gasps. “And what exactly does ‘loyalty’ mean?”
The man in gray chuckled. “Simple. You stay by Smith’s side. You follow his lead. You don’t ask questions you shouldn’t. And in return, you get protection.”
Clara scoffed. “Protection from what?”
Smith’s gaze didn’t waver. “From the people who took James.”
A cold chill ran down her spine.
Vivian stepped closer. “Clara, don’t do this.”
But Clara had no choice.
If she wanted answers—if she wanted James back—she had to play along.
Slowly, she turned to the man in gray. “Fine.”
His smirk widened. “Good girl.”
A Warning in the Night
The meeting ended shortly after, and Clara found herself standing outside the estate, the night air crisp against her skin.
Vivian grabbed her wrist. “You just made a deal with the devil.”
Clara swallowed hard. “I don’t have a choice.”
Vivian’s expression hardened. “You always have a choice. Just don’t forget that.”
Before Clara could respond, Smith stepped beside her. “Time to go.”
Vivian shot him a glare. “If you hurt her, I’ll make sure you regret it.”
Smith smirked. “Noted.”
Clara exhaled sharply and climbed into the car.
As they pulled away from the estate, she turned to Smith. “Are you going to tell me the truth now?”
Smith didn’t look at her. “Not tonight.”
Clara clenched her fists. “You promised me answers.”
He finally met her gaze, his expression unreadable. “And you’ll get them. But for now, you belong to me.”
Clara’s stomach twisted.
Because as much as she hated it—
He was right.
- Writer
