COLD HEARTS & CONTRACTS

Chapter 5

The Glass Mask

Benita Hayes

The Plaza was a sea of clinking crystal and hushed whispers, but the moment Adrian led me through the gilded doors, the room fell silent. It was a physical sensation, like walking into a vacuum.

"Don't look at the cameras," Adrian murmured, his hand resting firmly at the small of my back. "Look at me. Like I’m the only thing in this room that matters."

"That’s a tall order for a Tuesday, Adrian," I whispered back, my heart hammering against my ribs.

We were led to a central table—the "throne" of the dining room. I felt the eyes of the city’s elite boring into us. They were looking for the cracks. They wanted to see the "bought bride" and the "ruthless heir" in their natural habitat of misery.

I reached for my wine glass, but my hand shook just enough for the crystal to chime against the table. Adrian immediately covered my hand with his. His palm was warm, solid, and completely steady.

"Adrian! I thought you were in Geneva."

A woman in a dress the color of spilled champagne glided toward our table. She was stunning—the kind of effortless beauty that came from generations of wealth and very expensive dermatologists.

"Elena," Adrian said, his voice dropping an octave into a tone I hadn't heard before. Professional, yes, but with a sharp edge of history.

"Aren't you going to introduce me to the girl who finally managed to pin down the Ice King?" Elena asked, her eyes raking over me with a pity that made my skin crawl.

"This is Benita. My wife," Adrian said. He didn't just say the word; he claimed it. He squeezed my hand, his thumb stroking my knuckles in a way that felt dangerously real. "Benita, this is Elena Vance. An... old acquaintance."

"An acquaintance? Adrian, darling, we were nearly engaged," Elena laughed, a sound like breaking glass. She looked at me, her smile sharpening. "You must have quite the 'audit' skills, Benita. To make a man like Adrian sign a contract so quickly. I heard the Hayes Group was practically a charity case these days."

I felt the familiar urge to shrink, to let her win. But then I felt Adrian’s gaze on me. Don't make me regret choosing you, he had said.

I straightened my spine, meeting Elena’s gaze with a calm I didn't know I possessed. "The Hayes Group is an asset, Ms. Vance. And as for the contract... Adrian didn't sign it because he had to. He signed it because he finally found something worth the investment."

Adrian’s grip on my hand tightened. For the first time, when I looked at him, he wasn't looking at the cameras. He was looking at me, a strange, dark light flickering in his eyes.

"We have lunch to finish, Elena," Adrian said, his voice flat. "Enjoy your afternoon."

As she walked away, I felt a strange rush of adrenaline. I had held my own. But the victory was short-lived. Adrian leaned in, his lips inches from mine for the benefit of the paparazzi outside.

"Well played," he whispered. "But the real snake is waiting for us at home. We’re leaving."