The deal

The last thing Savannah Harper expected to do was beg a man like Dominic Wolfe for salvation. But here she was, standing outside the towering glass building of Wolfe Enterprises, clutching her battered purse like a shield.

Her heart raced as she stared at the sharp reflection of the city skyline in the doors. Somewhere inside that skyscraper, the man who could save her family—or destroy what little remained of it waited for her.

Her hands trembled as she wiped the sweat from her palms against her dress. This wasn’t just her last chance. It was her only chance.

If this failed, the creditors would come knocking within days. Her mother, who had worked herself to the bone since her father’s death, would lose the bakery and the home that came with it. Savannah could already picture the repossession notices taped to the windows, the shame in her mother’s eyes as their world crumbled.

But what terrified her even more was the man she was about to face.

Dominic Wolfe wasn’t just a billionaire. He was a name whispered in warning, a shadow of ruthless ambition cloaked in expensive suits. Every article painted him as untouchable, his success built on precision and a complete lack of sentimentality. If there was a human heart buried beneath all that power, Savannah doubted anyone had ever found it.

And now, she was about to put her family’s survival in his hands.

Taking a deep breath, Savannah pushed open the heavy glass doors. The lobby was a cavern of wealth and power, all silver walls and marble floors. It smelled faintly of cedar and money an overwhelming scent that made her feel more out of place than ever.

A sleek blonde receptionist sat behind a pristine white desk at the center of the room. She looked up, her sharp blue eyes sweeping over Savannah’s plain navy dress and scuffed flats. Her lips curled into a polite but unimpressed smile.

“Do you have an appointment?” the receptionist asked, her tone clipped.

“Yes,” Savannah replied, her voice steady despite the anxiety clawing at her throat. “Savannah Harper. Mr. Wolfe asked to see me at ten.”

The receptionist’s brow arched slightly as if to say, You? But she didn’t comment. A few keystrokes later, she gestured toward the elevators.

“Top floor,” she said coolly. “He’s expecting you.”

Savannah nodded, murmured her thanks, and walked away. Her feet felt heavy against the marble, her pulse thrumming with every step.

As the elevator doors slid shut, enclosing her in silence, the weight of what she was about to do hit her all over again.

She was going to ask a man she’d never met to save her family. A man known for taking what he wanted and discarding everything else.

The elevator’s ascent felt endless. Each floor brought her closer to the unknown, her thoughts spiraling into worst-case scenarios. She tried to imagine the kind of person Dominic Wolfe might be—cold and calculating, a man who wore his wealth and power like armor. But nothing could prepare her for the reality.

When the doors opened, Savannah stepped into a room that redefined intimidation.

The office was massive, its floor-to-ceiling windows framing the city like a living painting. Sunlight spilled into the space, glinting off sleek black furniture and a polished chrome desk. The air was crisp, sterile, and unnervingly quiet.

And then she saw him.

Dominic Wolfe stood by the windows, his broad shoulders cutting an imposing figure against the skyline. He turned as she approached, his cold blue eyes locking onto hers.

He was taller than she expected, his tailored suit fitting him like a second skin. His sharp jawline and perfectly styled black hair gave him an air of precision, but it was the intensity in his gaze that left her breathless. It wasn’t just that he looked powerful—it was that he was power, embodied.

“Miss Harper,” he said, his deep voice cutting through the silence. “You’re late.”

Savannah’s heart stumbled. She wasn’t late—she was early.

“I I thought I was on time,” she stammered, clutching her purse tighter.

“Then you should have been here five minutes ago,” he replied coolly, motioning to the chair in front of his desk. “Sit.”

The command in his voice left no room for argument. Savannah hurried to the chair, her pulse pounding in her ears. She placed her purse on her lap, hoping it would hide the trembling in her hands.

“Thank you for meeting me,” she began, her voice quieter than she intended.

Dominic sat across from her, his movements deliberate and precise. He didn’t speak right away, his eyes studying her like a puzzle he wasn’t sure was worth solving.

“I hear your family business is failing,” he said finally, leaning back in his chair.

“Yes,” Savannah said, forcing herself to meet his gaze. “My father passed away recently, and he left behind a lot of debt. I’ve been trying to keep things together, but we’re running out of time. I was told you might be willing to help.”

His expression didn’t change. “And why would I help you, Miss Harper? Charity isn’t part of my portfolio.”

Savannah swallowed hard. “Because my family’s business has potential. It’s small, but we’ve built a good reputation. If you invest”

“I don’t make investments based on pity,” Dominic interrupted, his tone sharp. “I make them based on profit. So, tell me—what’s in this for me?”

The question hung in the air like a loaded gun. Savannah’s mind raced, searching for the right words.

“I’ll do whatever it takes,” she said finally, her voice steady despite the fear curling in her chest. “I’ll work as hard as I need to. You won’t lose anything.”

Dominic’s lips twitched—not quite a smile, but close. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk.

“There is one thing you can do,” he said slowly. “But it’s not what you’re expecting.”

Savannah’s stomach twisted. “What is it?”

“I need a wife,” he said bluntly.

For a moment, Savannah thought she’d misheard him. “A wife?”

“Yes,” Dominic said, his tone casual. “I’m negotiating a deal with a conservative investor who values family. Having a wife would strengthen my image and close the deal. In return, I’ll pay off your debts and save your business.”

Savannah stared at him, stunned. “You want me to marry you?”

“Think of it as a contract,” he said, leaning back again. “You’ll play the role of my wife for as long as I need. When the deal is done, we’ll divorce, and you’ll walk away with enough money to live comfortably.”

The offer was as surreal as it was terrifying. Marriage? To a man she didn’t know? The very idea sounded absurd. But so was losing her family’s business.

“Why me?” she asked finally. “You could hire anyone for this.”

Dominic’s cold blue eyes locked onto hers. “Because you’re desperate. And I don’t trust people with something to gain. You have nothing to lose.”

His words stung, but Savannah couldn’t deny the truth. She had nothing to lose.

And so, with her heart pounding and her future on the line, she whispered, “I’ll do it.”