The Party

Riley's POV

As we approached the more upscale part of town, the buildings grew taller, sleeker, and the lights brighter. 

I leaned back, forcing myself to keep my breathing steady. I needed to stay calm, no matter what Jaxon had planned. 

I’d agreed to this arrangement, however reluctantly, and I’d just have to endure it.

But as the car turned down a winding driveway that led to an imposing mansion, my heart sank. 

The sprawling estate was bathed in a soft glow from the surrounding lights, its sleek, modern architecture framed by meticulously landscaped gardens. 

It was as much a fortress as it was a home, with high walls and security cameras stationed at every corner.

The driver stopped at the front entrance, and I took a shaky breath, gathering whatever courage I had left. 

This was it—no turning back now.

“Have a good evening, Mr. Lawson,” the driver said as he opened my door, his tone as professional as ever. 

I could only nod, forcing myself to take in the cool night air.

The front door loomed before me as I stared at it, a towering reminder of the world I was about to enter.

"I'm making a mistake, I can't do this" I muttered to myself as I sank back into the car.

The driver regarded me with a concerned and concerned expression on his face. He didn't quite understand the torment I was going through internally.

"Anything the problem, Mr. Lawson?" He asked, his voice calm and measured.

I wanted to answer him and tell me what was really going on within me, but I could only just stare.

I couldn’t take my eyes off the mansion looming ahead and I knew exactly why. 

Jaxon’s estate was something out of a magazine—no, scratch that, it was beyond any luxury I’d ever seen in my life. 

The expansive, meticulously designed gardens stretched out on either side, with paths winding through them, leading to marble statues and fountains that gleamed under the soft lighting. 

Even the mansion’s façade, all sleek glass and dark stone, seemed to command respect, almost daring anyone to look away.

I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. This was… overwhelming. 

The sight alone made me feel small, like I’d stumbled into a world where I didn’t belong. And, in many ways, I hadn’t. Not until now, anyway.

"No, I'm fine" I answered as I regulated my breath. "I have to do this or I won't have a life to go back to."

“Okay, then out you go, Mr. Lawson,” the driver said with professional indifference, hus hand still on the door and motioning for me to step out.

The moment I did, the sound of my footsteps echoed around the quiet, open compound. 

I took a second to catch my bearings, my eyes roving over the grounds, barely able to process it all. But I didn’t get much time to stand in awe. 

A tall, broad-shouldered man dressed in a dark suit—a bodyguard, I assumed—was waiting for me by the entrance, his stance rigid and professional.

“Mr. Steele has requested you to join him in a private area of the mansion,” he said, voice flat, eyes expressionless.

I blinked, his words settling heavily. 

“A private area?” I muttered, caught off guard. 

I hadn’t anticipated Jaxon would start this whole… arrangement quite like this. 

Still, I bit back my hesitation and nodded, following the bodyguard as he turned and led me across the driveway toward one of the side entrances.

As we walked, I couldn’t help but notice the sleek, high-end cars parked in the compound. 

Each one looked expensive enough to cover my rent for a year—or maybe several years. 

I frowned, glancing at the bodyguard walking just ahead of me.

“Are these all Jaxon’s cars?” I asked, unable to keep my curiosity in check.

The bodyguard’s head tilted slightly, though he kept his gaze straight ahead. 

“Mr. Steele owns three of the vehicles here,” he said, his voice neutral. “The others belong to… guests.”

Guests? My brows knitted together. 

“Why would other people’s cars be parked here?”

This time, the bodyguard didn’t respond, his silence somehow more unnerving than any answer he could’ve given. 

A strange, cold feeling prickled the back of my neck, and I swallowed hard, resisting the urge to press him further. 

I had a sinking feeling that whatever awaited me wasn’t as simple as Jaxon had made it seem.

We approached a large, ornately carved door at the end of a hallway, and the bodyguard finally stopped, turning to me with a stiff nod. 

“Mr. Steele is waiting for you inside. Step through when you’re ready.”

I glanced at the door, an ominous feeling settling in my gut. This didn’t feel like “fun” or “obedience training” or whatever twisted way Jaxon would frame it. 

But I knew the terms of our deal—and the consequences if I didn’t comply. 

So, with one last look at the bodyguard, I turned the handle and stepped inside.

The room was dimly lit, with chandeliers casting soft light across the polished marble floor. 

My eyes widened as I took in the scene—a sea of men, all dressed in suits, talking in hushed tones, glasses of expensive-looking liquor in their hands. 

It looked like a high-profile gathering, one where I was clearly out of place in my simple outfit. 

I had no idea Jaxon was hosting a party tonight… or why he wanted me here for it.

The buzz of conversation faded, my attention narrowing when I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. 

I fished it out, my brow creasing as I saw the message notification from Jaxon.

"I see you."

I looked up, scanning the room, my pulse racing as I spotted him in the distance, standing by the bar with a smug, knowing smile. 

His gaze held mine, the amusement in his eyes clear even from across the room. 

The weight of his presence settled on me like a heavy hand, and I knew—this was just the beginning.

Whatever he had planned, I wasn’t getting out unscathed.