AMARA'S POV
I read Gabriel Stone's email again.
Meet me at my office tonight. 9 PM. Come alone.
My professional enemy. The man trying to destroy my Titan case. He knows about my visa.
I check the time. 7:43 PM.
Sophie texts: Please tell me you're not meeting him.
How did you know?
Because you're desperate. But he's DANGEROUS.
She's right. Gabriel Stone destroys people for a living. Six months ago, he tried every dirty trick to kill my case. He's ruthless, brilliant, and never does anything without a reason.
What if he's my only option?
Then we're screwed.
I'll be fine. I promise.
Twenty-eight days. No job. No boyfriend. No options.
I grab my coat.
Stone & Associates occupies the top floors of a glass skyscraper. All marble and money.
Mr. Stone is expecting you. Forty-second floor.
The elevator feels like a slow death. I look terrible in the mirrors smudged makeup, red eyes. Someone who's lost everything.
The floor is dark except for one light. Gabriel's office.
I walk toward it.
Gabriel Stone sits behind a massive desk. White shirt, sleeves rolled up. He looks dangerous.
Ms. Okoye. Close the door. Sit.
I do. My hand shakes.
He studies me. You look terrible.
You said you had a proposition.
He leans back. Your visa was denied. Twenty-eight days until deportation. Your firm betrayed you. Your boyfriend left. Your best friend stole your job. I know everything.
How?
Information is power. You have none.
Why am I here?
I have a problem. You have a problem. I'm proposing a solution. He stands, walks to the window. My aunt controls the family trust. She wants me married by my thirty-third birthday or I lose my inheritance.
And?
He turns. You need a green card. I need a wife. One year. Business arrangement. Then we divorce.
The words hit me like a punch to the gut.
You're insane.
I'm practical. He walks closer. Marriage solves both problems.
That's fraud. Prison.
Only if caught. I don't get caught. He stops in front of me. What's the catch, you're wondering?
What do you want?
Drop the Titan case.
There it is.
You want me to abandon thousands of families being abused.
If you're deported, the case dies anyway. You're buying time to fight later. Twenty-eight days, Amara. What other options do you have?
None. I have none. And he knows it.
I need to think about this.
You have until midnight. Gabriel checks his watch. After that, the offer expires. I'll find another solution to my aunt problem. And you'll be on a plane to Nigeria.
Why me? The question bursts out. You could marry anyone. Why choose your enemy?
Something flickers in Gabriel's eyes. Something dark and complicated.
Because you're the only person I've ever met who isn't afraid of me, he says softly. And because you beat me once. That doesn't happen. You're smart, you're fierce, and you won't fall in love with me. This stays transactional. Clean.
You think very highly of yourself.
I think realistically. He stands. Midnight, Ms. Okoye. Yes or no. And if you tell anyone about this conversation, I'll destroy what's left of your career so thoroughly you'll never practice law again.
It's not an idle threat. Gabriel Stone has that kind of power.
I stand on shaking legs. I'll give you my answer by midnight.
I'll be waiting.
I turn to leave.
Amara.
I stop. He's never used my first name before.
For what it's worth, Gabriel says, his voice strange, I'm sorry about today. What Richard did. What they all did. You deserved better.
I look back at him. He's watching me with an expression I can't read.
Don't pretend to care, I say coldly. We both know this is just business.
I walk out before he can respond.
In the elevator, I finally let myself think about what just happened.
Gabriel Stone wants to marry me.
Fake marry me.
To save my visa and solve his family problem.
All I have to do is betray everything I believe in.
My phone buzzes. Text from an unknown number.
I open it.
And my blood turns to ice.
It's a photo. Kelly and Richard. In his office. Kissing.
The message below reads: Thought you should know who your REAL enemies are. Midnight, Amara. Clock's ticking. -GS
Gabriel sent this. He has proof that Richard and Kelly
Oh God.
They're having an affair. That's why Kelly got my job. That's why Richard fired me.
Not because of politics or money.
Because of her.
I stare at the photo, rage and betrayal burning through me.
Everyone I trusted has destroyed me.
And the devil himself is offering me a way to stay. To fight back. To survive.
I have three hours to decide if I'm willing to make a deal with Gabriel Stone.
Three hours to choose between my principles and my future.
The elevator doors open.
I step out into the night, Gabriel's words echoing in my head.
What other options do you have?
None.
Absolutely none.