BROKEN VOWS, BURNING DESIRES

A Dangerous Bargain

Vanessa tapped her pen against the desk, staring at the endless contracts in front of her without really seeing them. Her mind wasn’t on her cases today it was on Marcus. On the fragments of conversation she’d overheard. On the gnawing question of how he intended to take what she’d built.

She needed answers. And fast.

Her first thought was a private investigator. Discreet, professional, someone who could dig where she couldn’t without alerting Marcus. But she didn’t know any PIs. Not the kind who could be trusted.

Unfortunately, one man came to mind.

Vanessa groaned and pulled out her phone. She hated that she had to do this, but desperate times..

The line clicked, and his annoyingly smooth voice answered almost instantly.

“Vanessa Harris. To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?”

“Don’t flatter yourself,” she said sharply. “I need something.”

“I’m already intrigued,” Liam drawled. “What could the mighty Vanessa Harris possibly need from me?”

“A PI. Do you know one?”

There was a pause, then a chuckle. “Now this is interesting. What kind of trouble have you gotten yourself into?”

“No trouble,” she snapped.

“Uh-huh. You’re calling me out of the blue for a PI, and you expect me to believe it’s nothing? Sweetheart, even you should know I’m not that gullible.”

Her teeth clenched. “Can you help me or not?”

“Oh, I can help.” His voice was smug, teasing. “But I’d much rather know what’s going on. Did you take on a case you shouldn’t? Finally piss off the wrong kind of client? Or..”. He lowered his voice, mocking. “are we talking something more personal? Perfect Marcus cheating?” He mocked.

“Forget it,” she muttered, slamming the call ended before he could say anything else.

Vanessa tossed her phone onto the desk, her chest rising and falling with frustration. Of course he had to make it difficult. That was Liam Winston always twisting the knife, always pressing where it hurt most.

She tried to shake it off and bury herself in work, but her phone buzzed again. This time, Marcus.

She hesitated, then answered. “Marcus?”

“Vanessa.” His tone was heavy, almost whiny. “It’s happening again. The investors aren’t biting. I don’t understand what’s wrong with them? Can’t they see the potential here?”

Vanessa pinched the bridge of her nose. “I’m sorry, Marcus. But maybe “

“Maybe nothing! They’re idiots. That’s the problem. And now I’m stuck. Unless..”.His voice shifted, sly, hopeful. “Unless you can lend me a little more. Just until this clears. You know I’ll pay you back.”

Her stomach twisted. She thought of the rose petals she had tossed into the trash. The phone call she had overheard. His assistant. The plans.

“I I can’t,” she stammered. “Things are tight here too. Payroll, expenses..I can’t just hand out money right now.”

“You can’t?” His voice hardened instantly. “You can’t?”

“Marcus, please”

“Unbelievable,” he hissed. “Everything I do is for us, and you won’t even stand by me when I need you. You’re so selfish, Vanessa.”

Her hand trembled as she held the phone. “That’s not fair”

“Fair? Don’t talk to me about fair. Just forget it.” He cursed under his breath, sharp and venomous, then the line went dead.

Vanessa sat frozen, her phone pressed to her ear long after the call ended. Her throat ached, her chest tight. Selfish. He had called her selfish, after everything she had done, everything she had built.

A knock on her door broke the silence. She didn’t answer. The door opened anyway.

“Vanessa?”

Liam’s voice again. She almost groaned. Not now.

But when she looked up, his smirk faltered. His sharp eyes softened instantly as he saw her pale face, the tremble in her hands.

Without asking, he shut the door behind him and crossed the room.

“Hey,” he said gently, crouching beside her chair. “What’s wrong?”

She shook her head. “Nothing. I’m fine.”

“Don’t lie to me.” His voice was low, steady, too knowing.

Something inside her cracked. Before she could stop herself, the words tumbled out. About Marcus. About the phone call. About the gnawing suspicion that he was conspiring with his assistant. About the weight pressing down on her chest.

Liam listened quietly, his gaze locked on her. No mocking, no interruptions. Just silent intensity, like she was the only thing in the room that mattered.

When her voice finally broke, Liam’s hand slid over hers. Warm. Firm. Steady.

She wanted to pull back. She should have. But she didn’t.

Instead, she let him tug her gently to her feet, let him draw her into the solid comfort of his chest. His arms wrapped around her, and for the first time in days, she let herself lean into someone.

It was dangerous. Reckless. But God, it felt good.

She tilted her head back to thank him and then his mouth was on hers.

The kiss was fierce, unexpected, sending a rush of heat through her veins. For a split second she froze, torn between outrage and need. Then her lips moved against his, answering with a hunger she didn’t want to name.

When he finally pulled back, his breath warm against her cheek, his eyes burned into hers.

“I’ll help you,” he murmured. “I’ll get you a PI.”

Relief flooded her, but before she could thank him, he smirked.

“On one condition.”

Vanessa frowned. “What condition?”

He leaned closer, his lips grazing her ear. “One date. That’s all I ask. Dinner. Drinks. You and me. No excuses this time.”

Her stomach flipped. “You’re unbelievable.”

“Maybe,” he said with a shrug. “But I’m your best shot at the truth. So what’s it going to be, sweetheart?”