Chapter 2

The message hung in the air, a digital challenge launched into the void. My heart hammered against my ribs, a chaotic drumbeat in the sudden silence of my decision. I didn't know if he would even see it. Two years. That was a long time to remain blacklisted.

My phone vibrated almost immediately. A sharp, insistent ringtone that made me jump. My name flashed across the screen: "Constantine Russell." He hadn't deleted my number. The realization sent a shiver down my spine.

I stared at it, my finger hovering over the green icon. My breath hitched. Could I do this? Could I truly unleash him onto Christian's carefully constructed world?

The ringing stopped. Then started again, even more persistent this time. I took a deep breath, steeling myself. This wasn't about fear anymore. It was about survival. It was about vengeance.

"Annie," his voice, a low rumble, cut through the phone line the moment I answered. There was no greeting, no hesitation. Just my name, spoken with an intensity that pulled me back through years.

"Constantine," I replied, my voice surprisingly steady.

"Crash your wedding?" he repeated, a dangerous edge to his tone. "That's quite the request, even for you. Are you finally giving up on that pathetic tech boy?"

His words stung, but I let them slide. He had every right to be cynical.

"If you're not interested, I'm sure I can find someone else," I said, a deliberate calm in my voice. I knew how to play this game. I knew how to bait him.

A sharp intake of breath on his end of the line. The silence stretched, thick with unspoken rage. "Someone else? You think anyone else could do what I can, Annie? You think anyone else would dare to even try?" His voice was rising now, a barely contained fury. "You have no idea who you're dealing with."

"I know exactly who I'm dealing with," I countered, my voice still level. "And right now, I need someone who can burn a house down. Are you that man, or not?"

Another long silence. This one was different. It felt calculating, predatory. I pictured him, wherever he was, his dark eyes narrowed, a slow smile spreading across his lips as he weighed the possibilities. My stomach churned. He was dangerous, potentially even more so than Christian. But Christian had already shown me his worst.

I braced myself for the rejection, a familiar sting anticipating its arrival. He would refuse. He would mock me. He would tell me I deserved whatever Christian dished out.

"Remember what I told you, Annie?" he said, his voice dropping back to that dangerous, low rumble. "You blacklisted me. You shut me out. You thought you could walk away." A humorless chuckle escaped him. "Now look at you. Back on your knees, begging for my help. Funny how the world works."

My jaw tightened. "I'm not on my knees, Constantine. I'm making a strategic decision."

"A strategic decision you should have made five years ago," he retorted, his voice laced with triumph. "So, what's different now? Did your golden boy finally show his true colors?"

I closed my eyes, a wave of exhaustion washing over me. "I was a fool," I admitted, the words raw and painful. "A naive, idiotic fool who believed in a mirage."

"A mirage, indeed." He paused, and I could almost hear the smile in his voice. "Tell me everything. Every single detail. And then, and only then, will I decide if you're worth the effort."

"I don't have time for your games, Constantine," I said, trying to inject some steel into my voice.

"Oh, but you do, Annie," he purred. "Because you're coming to me. You'll restore every blocked number, every deleted email. You'll send me your current location, and I'll send my jet. You will tell me everything, and I will listen. And then, we'll talk about crashing a wedding."

"And if I refuse?"

"Then you can deal with your 'pathetic tech boy' all by yourself," he said, the amusement clear in his voice. "I don't do charity, Annie. And I certainly don't do losing propositions."

My shoulders sagged in defeat. He had me. "Fine," I bit out. "I'll send the details."

"Good girl," he said, and the line went dead.

I stood there for a long moment, the phone still pressed to my ear, the dial tone a mocking hum. Constantine Russell. The man they called the "East Coast Shark." A private equity magnate whose reputation for ruthlessness preceded him. Two years ago, he' d stormed into the L.A. scene, buying up failing businesses and turning them into gold, leaving a trail of broken careers and terrified competitors in his wake. He was wild, unpredictable, and fiercely intelligent. And he had, for some inexplicable reason, set his sights on me. I' d found his intensity suffocating, his possessiveness alarming, and eventually, I' d cut him off. Now, I was running right back into his dangerous embrace.

I finally lowered the phone, my gaze sweeping across the bustling street. A cold shudder ran through me. What had I done? But then, Christian's sneering face, his cruel words, flashed in my mind. No. This was the only way.

It was late afternoon when I finally made my way back to my penthouse, my body aching, my mind numb. The building felt oppressively silent. I pushed open the door, expecting an empty apartment, but then I heard a voice.

"Annie! There you are, sweetheart. I was so worried."

Christian. He emerged from the living room, a picture of concern, his arms open. The familiar scent of his cologne, once comforting, now made my stomach churn.

"Where have you been? I called your phone a dozen times." He moved towards me, his eyes wide with feigned worry.

I managed a weak smile. "Just... errands. My phone died." The lie felt natural, a practiced ease that came from years of navigating his manipulations, though I hadn't realized it until now.

He frowned, his gaze searching. "You look pale. Did you see anyone? Was anyone with you?" His eyes darted around the entryway, a flicker of suspicion in their depth.

"No, Christian. Just me," I said, trying to sound convincing, pulling away from his attempted embrace. "I'm a little tired."

He paused, then smiled, his expression softening. "Well, I'm glad you're back. I was just about to make dinner. How about a nice, relaxing evening?" He stepped towards me again, a hand reaching for my back.

I flinched, instinctively pulling away. "I... I really just want to shower. I feel a bit grubby."

"Nonsense," he chuckled, his hand already on my waist, pulling me closer. "You're always beautiful, Annie. Come on, a quick hug." He pressed his lips against my temple, his touch making my skin crawl.

Just then, a light, girlish laugh echoed from the kitchen. My blood ran cold.

A young woman emerged, carrying a tray laden with freshly baked cookies. Her long, blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her eyes, wide and innocent, met mine. She wore one of Christian's oversized shirts, the soft fabric clinging to her slender frame.

"Oh, hi!" she chirped, a blush rising on her cheeks. "You must be Annie! Christian told me so much about you."

Christian pulled his arm from my waist, a slight flush on his own face. "Annie, this is Kimberli. Kimberli Townsend. She's... an old friend. She just got back into town and needed a place to crash for a bit." He finished with a shrug, as if this were the most normal thing in the world.

My mind reeled. Kimberli Townsend. His childhood sweetheart. The woman he was planning to marry. The woman he was going to humiliate me for. She was here. In my home.

I forced a smile, my lips feeling stiff. "Kimberli. Of course." My eyes darted to Christian, a silent accusation in their depth. He avoided my gaze.

Kimberli smiled sweetly, her eyes flickering to Christian, then back to me. "Christian said you might be a little sensitive about me staying here, but I promise I'm no trouble. If you'd rather I leave, I completely understand." She clasped her hands together, looking utterly innocent, a master manipulator already at work.