Chapter 8

Chapter 8

The first thing Mona noticed was the silk sheets. After weeks of shelter cots and park benches, the feeling was so foreign it jolted her awake. She lay there, disoriented, staring up at a hand-painted ceiling that probably cost more than most houses.

This wasn't the shelter. This wasn't even the Caldwell mansion.

Memories of the bridge came rushing back - the fall, the hand catching her, that calm voice in the darkness. She sat up quickly, making her head spin.

The bedroom was massive, easily three times the size of her shelter dorm. Moonlight streamed through floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating furniture that looked like it belonged in a museum. Even in the dim light, she could tell everything was authentic. Old money. Real power.

A fresh change of clothes lay neatly folded on a nearby chair, silk pajamas that probably cost more than her entire wardrobe at the shelter. Her father's necklace sat beside them, cleaned and polished until it shone like new.

"You're awake." The voice from the bridge came from the doorway. "Good."

Mona turned to find a man watching her from the shadows. He stepped into the moonlight, and her breath caught.

Alexander Kane. The world's youngest trillionaire. The man whose face graced every business magazine, whose name struck fear into corporate boardrooms, whose wealth made the Caldwells look like pocket change.

He was younger in person than he looked in photos, maybe early thirties, with dark hair and eyes that seemed to see right through her. His suit probably cost more than a year's rent of some people's apartments, but he wore it like casual clothing.

"Why?" It was all she could manage to say.

"Why did I save you?" He moved to stand by the windows, looking out over what appeared to be endless grounds. "Let's just say I have my reasons."

Mona's fingers clutched the silk sheets. "I don't understand. Why would someone like you care about someone like me?"

He turned to face her, and something in his expression made her shiver. This was the man who had destroyed entire corporations for fun. The man they called the Wolf of Wall Street on steroids.

"Someone like you?" His voice held an edge of amusement. "And what exactly do you think you are, Mona Smith?"

The way he said her name, like he knew her, really knew her, sent another shiver down her spine.

"I'm nobody," she whispered. "I'm nothing..."

"Is that what Emily told you?" His voice turned gentle, almost dangerous in its softness. "Emily Caldwell, who thinks she rules this city?"

He moved closer, and she caught a whiff of expensive cologne. "The Caldwells play in their little sandbox, thinking they're powerful. They have no idea what real power is."

Mona's head spun with questions. "What do you want from me?"

Alexander Kane smiled down at her, his eyes glittering with something she couldn't read. "For now? I want you to rest. Get your strength back. Tomorrow, we can discuss... possibilities."

"Possibilities?"

"Life is full of them, isn't it?" He moved toward the door. "Especially for those everyone has underestimated."

He paused in the doorway. "Sleep well, Miss Smith. Tomorrow will be... interesting."

The door closed softly behind him, leaving Mona alone with her racing thoughts.

*** *** ****

A discrete knock interrupted her thoughts. The same butler from earlier entered with another cart, this time bearing what looked like breakfast despite the late hour.

"Mr. Kane requests your presence in the study, when you're ready," he said, setting up the meal by the windows. "Fresh clothes have been laid out in the dressing room."

The dressing room turned out to be bigger than her old bedroom, filled with racks of designer clothes in exactly her size. She chose the simplest outfit she could find - a cream silk blouse and black pants that probably cost more than a month's rent at her old apartment.

The butler was waiting to escort her through the maze-like corridors. Every hallway dripped with wealth, priceless artworks, ancient tapestries, marble statues that belonged in museums. The Caldwell mansion looked like a cheap motel in comparison.

Alexander's study was the size of a small library, with leather-bound books lining walls that stretched two stories high. He stood by a massive fireplace, swirling amber liquid in a crystal glass.

"Feeling better?" he asked without turning.

"Why am I here?" Mona's voice came out stronger than she expected.

He turned then, studying her with those penetrating eyes. "Direct. Good. Then let me be direct as well." He gestured to a leather armchair. "I have a proposition for you."

Mona sat, her heart pounding. Something about his tone made her nervous.

"The Caldwells," he said, taking his own seat, "have ruled this city for too long. They've destroyed too many lives. Ruined too many people." His eyes locked with hers. "It's time someone taught them what real destruction looks like."

"And what does that have to do with me?"

His smile was sharp. "Everything. You see, I want to destroy them completely. Not just financially, but socially. I want to tear down everything they've built, brick by brick." He leaned forward. "And you're going to help me do it."

"How?"

"By marrying me."

The words hung in the air between them. Mona stared at him, sure she'd misheard.

"What?"

"Think about it," he said, standing to pace the room. "The woman they discarded, coming back as Mrs. Alexander Kane. The homeless girl they mocked, becoming the richest woman in the world. The revenge possibilities are... endless."

Mona's mind raced. "This is insane. You don't even know me."

"I know everything about you, Mona Smith. I know about your father's company. I know about your years at Boston University. I know exactly what the Caldwells did to you." He stopped in front of her chair. "And I know you want revenge as much as I do."

She should say no. Should run from this room, from this mansion, from this dangerous man with his dangerous offers.

Instead, she asked, "Why me?"

His expression softened slightly. "Because you're stronger than you know. Because you survived everything they did to you. And because..." he paused, something flickering in his eyes, "you remind me of someone I used to know."

Before she could ask who, he held out his hand. "So what do you say, Mona Smith? Ready to show the Caldwells what real power looks like?"

Mona stared at his offered hand. This was crazy. Absolutely insane.

But then she thought of Emily's cruel smile. Of Samuel's indifference. Of Lora wearing her life like a borrowed dress.

She reached out and took his hand.

"When do we start?"

Alexander's smile was triumphant as he pulled her to her feet. "We already have. The question is, are you ready to become the most powerful woman in the city?"

Thunder crashed outside as Mona met his gaze. "I'm ready to become their worst nightmare."