Chapter 4: WALKING INTO THE LION'S DEN

I felt unprepared for the situation as I stood in front of my wardrobe, staring at the rows of clothes. How was one to dress for a meeting that had the potential to alter our whole life? Already, I had thrown half of my clothes onto the bed, and nothing fit. I ran my fingertips over a sleek black dress that hung toward the back.

It was an understated, stylish outfit that I'd worn to formal occasions with Ethan. The memory turned my stomach. It wasn't about him tonight. Our history was unimportant. It had to do with the man who was holding out for me at the Saint Claire Hotel and my future.

Jay Sinclair.

I felt my heart race thinking about him. Ever since our first meeting, his dark, secretive eyes have followed me around. He had an alluring quality that made me wonder if I was getting into a good deal or falling victim to a scam. The breakup, Ethan, Jay Sinclair's offer—everything happened so quickly, and it all made no sense.

I shook my head, pushing away the nagging misgivings. I needed to be strong tonight. There was nothing else for me to do. The black dress fit tightly, perfectly embracing my curves as I zipped it up. It was a graceful, pointed shield of armor. I slid down on my heels and reached for my handbag, a little shaky when I looked at the clock.

6:45 p.m.

* * * * * * * * * *

It was an anxious drive to the hotel. My head was buzzing with possibilities as my fingers clutched the steering wheel. What if Jay wasn't merely proposing a contractual union? What if there were exclusionary terms? What if his level of danger exceeded my perception? A few minutes later, I arrived at the Saint Claire Hotel, its opulent façade sparkling in the streetlights. I had never anticipated going inside one of the most opulent hotels in the city, especially in such a situation.

The valet nodded politely as I got out of the car, and despite my knotted tummy, I faked a smile. I squared my shoulders, inhaled deeply, and entered through the opulent rotating doors. The lobby's soaring ceilings and chandeliers were stunning. A wealthy aura that gave me the impression that I didn't belong. But tonight, I couldn't afford to feel inadequate.

The concierge came over to me, his eyes bright with familiarity. "Miss Vandenberg?" he remarked politely.

"Yes," I said, managing my nerves to speak clearly.

"Mr. Sinclair is looking forward to seeing you. Kindly proceed in this direction." My pulse raced even more when the concierge led me across the lobby and into a private dining space tucked away from the main restaurant. My sensation of suspense was increased by the quietness of the hallways. Every stride I took toward the door made my decision feel more real. The man who had helped me open it was standing there. Sinclair Jay.

His eyes met mine at the head of a big table the moment I stepped in... He had an intriguing, commanding presence. Every inhalation and every look he cast was full of power, and he didn't have to say anything to make that clear. He rose from his seat, casting a wide shadow across the table. "Just in time," Jay muttered, grinning a little.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "I don’t like to keep people waiting." Jay nodded to the seat across from him, something unreadable shining in his eyes.

"Have a seat, Arielle."

Paused for a moment before moving across the space, my heels making a gentle click sound as they hit the glossy floor. My eyes darted around the room as soon as I sat down; it was opulent, private, and meant to be used for discreet conversations away from prying eyes. Jay sat back in his chair and studied me with such intensity that it caused pricks to crawl up my spine.

He was waiting for me to say something, but I wasn't going to back down so easily. At last, I remarked in a calm voice, "I'm here."

"Tell me, then. Jay, what precisely do you want from me?" Then he grinned a slow, deliberate smile that made my skin crawl.

"I believe I made that apparent. I require a spouse."

My heartbeat increased, but I remained composed. "A wife for what? A man such as you could marry anybody, surely. Why me?"

Jay's smile subsided a little as his eyes grew serious. "I could marry anyone, but not anyone will agree to what I’m proposing."

"And what are you proposing?" I was demanding details now, my voice more assertive. For an instant, the world outside the room appeared to vanish as his gaze met mine.

"I need someone who is aware that passion and love are not the main goals of this marriage. It's an agreement for business. You gain stability in your finances, and I get someone who can act."

My breath caught. This was not your typical proposal. It was calculating and cold. However, that was precisely what I needed to hear and exactly what I had feared. "Why me?" I looked again, scowling. Jay shifted slightly forward, his gaze never leaving mine.

"Because you have a point to make, Arielle. Similar to me. I've witnessed the treachery and the disaster that Ethan left you in. I need someone I can rely on to maintain appearances while you rebuild. Someone who avoids emotional attachment." Startled by his candor, I blinked. There was no pretense, no sugarcoating—he was laying it all out on the table. It was exactly what I was supposed to get from a guy such as Jay Sinclair.

"And what do you get out of this, besides a wife on paper?" With a pointed tone, I enquired. His eyes grew gloomy.

"I have some upcoming business agreements that require stability in the public eye. A family man with a clean image. Additionally, Arielle, you match the image I like to convey." His comments struck me with their weight. He wasn't trying to be my friend or my lover. In return for being a piece in his game, he was allowing me to get out of my present situation. My heart was palpitating, and my thoughts were dizzy.

This was absurd. Insane, even. But then my thoughts turned to my flat, my two-day-overdue rent, and my piling debt. I pondered over Ethan's treachery and the embarrassment I experienced each time I looked in the mirror. And then I thought about the offer in front of me.

I then considered the proposition that was in front of me. Jay whispered to me, "You'll have everything you need," his words encircling me like a velvet chain. "Stable finances, no scandals, and independence from the past. I just ask that you step into the role. You receive a life most people can only dream about because you are my wife."

We had a long, silent conversation that was full of unsaid tension. Though my thoughts were racing, I knew in my heart of hearts what I would say. There was nothing else for me to do. I inhaled deeply and looked directly into Jay's eyes.

"Alright," I said in a firm voice. "I'll carry it out. I'll marry you." Slowly and contented, like a predator who has just caught his prey, Jay smiled again. "Good," he murmured, leaning back in his chair.

"We have a deal."

And just like that, I realized I had made a pact with the devil.