CHAPTER FOUR.

Lucas stepped into the massive office of Drake Hazelwood. The room was dim, save for the streaks of sunlight slashing through the tall windows, painting sharp, golden lines across the mahogany desk and leather chairs. Everything in here spoke of wealth, power, and the silent danger Drake exuded because Drake Hazelwood didn’t do anything unless it benefitted him.

And Lucas knew that.

Drake sat behind his desk, leaned back in a leather chair, a glass of dark amber whiskey swirling lazily in his hand. He didn’t bother to look up as Lucas entered, his eyes fixed on the city skyline outside the window.

“You’re late,” Drake muttered, his voice smooth and low, as if he couldn’t be bothered to care.

Lucas clenched his fists to his sides, fighting back the irritation clawing its way up. “You knew I’d come.”

Finally, Drake looked at him. His gaze was sharp—too sharp. “Of course you came. You wouldn’t be here otherwise.”

Lucas ignored the smug tone and cut straight to the point. “I need you to fight the case.”

Drake laughed softly, a sound that didn’t belong in this conversation. He set the glass down on the table with a deliberate clink and tilted his head. “You’re wasting your time. You know I only take one case a year, and I’ve already decided which one that’ll be.”

“This is bigger than that, Drake,” Lucas pressed, stepping closer. “It’s Sophie Myers. Edward Flynn’s murder charge. She didn’t do it. You know what that means.”

Drake raised a brow, though he didn’t look convinced. “Oh, I’m sorry. Do I look like I care?”

Lucas felt a flash of frustration. “You’re the best defense lawyer in the country. No one will touch this case because of Edward’s influence, and you know it. If you don’t fight for her, no one will.”

Drake studied him, unmoving. The silence stretched between them like a wire pulled tight. Then, he finally stood. His movements were measured and slow, the kind of precision that unnerved anyone in his presence. “You’ve always been desperate, Lucas, but this…” He let his voice trail off, as if savoring the weight of the moment. “You know what happens when you ask me for help.”

Lucas’s stomach turned. He did know. Drake Hazelwood didn’t do favors; he collected debts.

“What do you want?” Lucas muttered.

Drake smiled faintly. “What makes you think I want something?”

“Because you always do,” Lucas shot back, holding his gaze. “So let’s stop playing games. You’re going to ask for something, and I don’t care what it is. Just name your price.”

Drake stepped around the desk, standing inches from Lucas now. He was calm—calmer than anyone should be in a situation like this. “I’ll fight her case,” he said finally. “But when I need you, you’ll come running. No questions asked. No excuses.”

Lucas stiffened. This wasn’t a promise, it was a death sentence. But what choice did he have? He glanced down at Drake’s outstretched hand and reluctantly shook it.

“Deal.”

♡♡♡

Sophie sat in the courtroom, her wrists shaking in her lap.

The low murmurs of the gallery buzzed in her ears, but all she could focus on was the imposing figure that had just walked in: Drake Hazelwood. She hadn’t met him before, only heard of him in whispers. A man who tore prosecutors apart with a smile. A man whose intelligence was said to border on madness.

And this was her lawyer?

Drake ignored her entirely as he strolled to the defence table, his charcoal-gray suit perfectly tailored, his presence swallowing the room. He set his briefcase on the table and finally glanced at her with an expression that said nothing at all.

“Sophie Myers?” he asked, his voice low.

She swallowed and nodded.

Drake smirked as if this amused him, then leaned closer. “Sign these papers. Your bail hearing’s about to begin.”

Sophie’s brow furrowed as Drake slid a stack of papers and a pen in front of her.

“What is this?” she whispered.

“Your ticket out of here.” He gestured impatiently. “The bail documents. If you want to sit in a cell for the rest of your life, be my guest.”

Sophie hesitated, her fingers trembling as they hovered over the pen. She’d seen men like him before, men who could chew you up and spit you out before you even knew what had happened. But right now, Drake Hazelwood was her only hope.

She signed.

“Good girl,” Drake murmured as he straightened, snatching the papers back.

The bail hearing proceeded like a blur. Drake spoke with precision, tearing through the prosecutor’s arguments as if they were paper-thin. His voice remained steady, his demeanor was unshakable, and Sophie watched in awe as the judge agreed to her release.

The gavel fell, and just like that, Sophie Myers was free.

Or so she thought.

♡♡♡

Drake stood beside his sleek black car, waiting.

When Sophie walked out of the courthouse, disoriented and pale, he gave her a long, calculating look. “Get in,” he said, holding the door open.

Sophie hesitated. “I don’t—”

“I just got you out of jail,” Drake cut her off coldly. “Do you really want to argue?”

Sophie exhaled shakily before climbing into the passenger seat. The car door slammed shut, and within seconds, they were speeding down the road, the city blurring past them.

“You didn’t tell me you’d be my lawyer,” Sophie said quietly, breaking the silence.

Drake smirked, eyes fixed on the road. “You didn’t ask.”

She frowned, something about his calm demeanor putting her on edge. “Where are we going?”

“To settle your paperwork,” Drake replied cryptically. “Your bail came with conditions. There’s more to sign.”

The car pulled up to a massive building, an old mansion that loomed against the darkening sky. Sophie stared at it uneasily. “This doesn’t look like a law office.”

“It’s my office,” Drake said smoothly.

He led her inside, down a long corridor that echoed with their footsteps. At the end of the hall, Drake opened a door and gestured for her to enter.

Inside was a grand room, with tall windows and a table set with papers, more of them. Sophie’s heart sank as Drake handed her a pen.

“More?” she asked.

“You’re almost done,” he replied, his voice calm but unyielding. “I need you to sign here and here.”

Sophie hesitated, looking up at him. “What am I signing now?”

“The bail release conditions. You’ll be free to move around, but there are certain agreements to abide by.”

Sophie frowned but nodded, taking the pen. She signed quickly, eager to put all of this behind her.

“There,” she said, setting the pen down.

Drake smiled faintly—too faintly. “Good.”

He picked up the papers, tucking them neatly into a leather folder. Then, he turned to her with a look she couldn’t quite read.

“What?” Sophie asked nervously.

Drake’s smile widened. “Congratulations, Mrs. Hazelwood.”

The words hit her like a brick wall. Her stomach dropped as she froze in place, eyes widening. “What?”

“You’re married,” Drake said simply, as if it were obvious. “To me.”

Sophie shook her head, her voice trembling. “No—I didn’t—I signed—”

“You signed the paperwork,” Drake cut her off, his tone as smooth as ever. “And, as it turns out, one of those was a marriage certificate.”

Her world spun, panic clawing at her chest. “You tricked me.”

Drake’s expression didn’t change. “I prefer the term strategic negotiation.”

Sophie stumbled back a step, her voice breaking. “Why?”

Drake stepped closer, his shadow falling over her. “Because I always get what I want, Sophie. And right now, that’s you.”

Her breath hitched as the weight of his words crashed down around her. She stared up at him, her heart pounding, her mind screaming for answers she didn’t have.

“You’re mine now,” Drake murmured softly. “And trust me—this is only the beginning.”

Sophie’s knees threatened to give way, but Drake stepped aside, opening the door as if nothing had happened.

“Go home,” he said calmly. “We’ll discuss the rest tomorrow.”

She stumbled into the hall, her head spinning, her hands shaking. Drake Hazelwood had just turned her life upside down, and she didn’t even see it coming.

As the door closed behind her, her only thought was, What have I done?