Chloe Pierce's POV
"I have a business banquet tonight at the Grand Dragon Lake Hotel," I said as we walked toward the parking garage. My heels clicked against the polished concrete, echoing in the underground space. "You could come with me."
Aiden raised an eyebrow. "As what?"
I felt heat creep up my neck. This was ridiculous. I was Chloe Pierce, Marketing Director of the Magnificent Group. I didn't get flustered by men, especially not thin ones in faded t-shirts who threw security guards through windows.
But those eyes. God, those eyes were exactly the same.
"As my..." I fumbled for the right word. "My business associate. These events are full of sharks who think a woman alone is easy prey. Having a man beside me, even one who looks like he sells insurance door-to-door, tends to discourage unwanted attention."
"Insurance?" He looked down at his clothes with amusement. "I was thinking more beauty products. Face creams, maybe some anti-aging serums."
Despite everything, I laughed. Actually laughed. "Perfect. You're hired, Mr...?"
"Call me Aiden," he said quietly.
My heart skipped. He wasn't even trying to hide it anymore.
"Aiden it is," I managed. "My car's just over here."
The Grand Dragon Lake Hotel rose from the shoreline like a golden palace, its windows reflecting the setting sun across the water. Luxury cars lined the circular drive as Everbrook City's business elite gathered for another evening of networking, deal-making, and predatory social climbing.
I smoothed my black cocktail dress as we approached the entrance. The fabric was expensive, chosen specifically to project success and authority while remaining appropriately conservative. In this world, image was everything.
"Remember," I murmured to Aiden as we walked through the lobby, "you're a beauty product salesman. Try to look harmless."
He glanced around at the marble columns and crystal chandeliers with apparent disinterest. "Shouldn't be hard."
The banquet hall buzzed with conversation and the gentle clink of champagne glasses. I recognized most of the faces - city councilmen, real estate developers, import-export magnates, and various other power brokers who made Everbrook City's economic wheels turn.
"Chloe!" A voice boomed across the room. "There's the star of the evening!"
Richard Morrison, president of Morrison Industries, approached with a wide smile and predatory eyes. His suit probably cost more than most people's cars, and his cologne was strong enough to make my eyes water.
"Richard," I replied with practiced warmth. "How lovely to see you."
His gaze flicked to Aiden dismissively before focusing entirely on me. "You look absolutely radiant tonight. I was hoping we could discuss that distribution contract over drinks. Privately."
"Actually, I'm here with my associate," I said, gesturing to Aiden. "We're launching a new line of premium skincare products. Revolutionary anti-aging formulas."
Richard's smile faltered slightly. "I see. Well, perhaps later then."
As he walked away, three more men approached in succession. Each one had the same hungry look, the same assumption that my presence here made me available for their entertainment. Each time, I deflected with mentions of business, of my 'associate,' of prior commitments.
But I could feel them circling like vultures.
"You're good at this," Aiden observed quietly as we moved toward the buffet table.
"Years of practice." I selected a few canapés, though my appetite had vanished. "The trick is staying friendly enough to maintain business relationships while making it clear you're not interested in anything else."
"And if they don't take the hint?"
"Then things get complicated."
As if summoned by my words, the crowd near the entrance stirred. Conversations quieted, and several people turned to look toward the door with expressions ranging from respect to outright fear.
Leo Graves had arrived.
He strutted into the room like he owned it, which in many ways, he did. His family controlled half the construction contracts in Everbrook City, and his father sat on the city council. At twenty-eight, Leo had never heard the word 'no' applied to anything he wanted.
Including me.
Our eyes met across the room, and his face lit up with a smile that made my blood run cold. He began making his way through the crowd, accepting handshakes and greetings like a politician at a campaign rally.
"Problem?" Aiden asked, noticing my sudden tension.
"Big problem," I whispered. "That's Leo Graves. We have... history."
"What kind of history?"
"The kind where he asked me out, I said no, and he's been making my professional life difficult ever since."
Leo finally reached us, bringing with him the scent of expensive whiskey and entitled arrogance. His smile was wide and sharp-edged as he looked me up and down like I was merchandise.
"Chloe Pierce," he said, his voice carrying easily to the people around us. "Still playing hard to get, I see."
"Hello, Leo." I kept my voice level, professional. "How nice to see you."
"Is it?" His laugh was harsh. "Because last time we spoke, you made it quite clear that my company wasn't... appreciated."
Several nearby conversations had stopped. People were starting to stare, sensing drama. This was exactly what I'd hoped to avoid.
"I believe there was simply a misunderstanding," I said carefully.
"A misunderstanding." Leo's eyes glittered with malice. "Yes, I suppose that's one way to put it. Another way would be to say you humiliated me in front of half the city's business community."
My cheeks burned with the memory. He'd cornered me at a charity gala six months ago, drunk and insistent. When I'd refused his advances for the third time, he'd gotten loud. Ugly. I'd been forced to make a scene just to get away from him.
"Leo, perhaps we could discuss this privately-"
"Oh no," he cut me off. "I think we should discuss it right here. In front of all these good people." His voice rose, drawing even more attention. "After all, they should know what kind of woman you really are."
The room had gone almost completely quiet now. I could feel dozens of eyes on us, could practically hear phones being pulled out to record whatever happened next.
"What kind of woman is that, Leo?" I asked, proud that my voice didn't shake.
"The kind who leads men on for business favors, then acts all high and mighty when they want something in return." His smile was vicious. "The kind who thinks she's too good for everyone else."
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Several women looked at me with expressions ranging from sympathy to schadenfreude. The men mostly looked uncomfortable, but none of them were stepping forward to help.
"That's not true," I said, but my voice sounded weak even to my own ears.
"Isn't it?" Leo reached for a glass of wine from a passing waiter's tray. "Well, here's your chance to prove it. Have a drink with me. Show everyone that there are no hard feelings."
He held the glass out toward me, his eyes challenging. Around us, the crowd waited with the breathless anticipation of spectators at a gladiator match.
I stared at the wine glass like it was a snake. Such a simple thing. Such a small gesture. But I knew what it represented. If I took that glass, if I drank with him, it would be seen as capitulation. An admission that his version of events was correct.
But if I refused...
"Come on, Chloe," Leo pressed, his voice carrying clearly through the silent room. "It's just wine. Unless you really do think you're too good for the rest of us."
My hand trembled as I reached toward the glass. I had no choice. My reputation, my career, my future in this city - it all hung in the balance. One drink wouldn't kill me.
Would it?
My fingers were inches from the glass when a cold voice cut through the tension like a blade.
"Who do you think you are, to dare force her to drink?!"