Chapter 5 The Meeting

The sleek black car glided through the bustling Las Vegas night, a stark contrast to the quiet tension inside. Avery, now transformed in her emerald gown and subtle diamonds, sat beside Rowen. The city's lights, once a source of wonder, now seemed to mock the precarious reality she inhabited. Rowen, sharp and unyielding in a dark suit, exuded an aura of quiet power. He offered no further instructions, his silence a heavy presence in the confined space.

Their destination was a private dining room at the Bellagio, an establishment known for its exclusivity and discretion. As they were escorted through the opulent lobby, Avery felt the subtle shift in attention. Heads turned, whispers followed. The grainy tabloid photos had done their work. She gripped her small clutch, reminding herself of the two million dollars and the stakes involved.

The dining room was intimate, dimly lit, and already occupied. A man rose from the table as they entered. He was impeccably dressed, with salt-and-pepper hair and eyes that seemed to miss nothing. His smile, though outwardly charming, did not reach his eyes. This was Maverick Black.

"Rowen, my boy," Maverick's voice was smooth, almost purring. "And this must be the lovely Avery. A pleasure to finally meet you." He extended a hand, first to Rowen, then to Avery. His grip was firm, his gaze lingering on her for a moment too long.

Avery forced a smile, recalling Rowen's earlier warning about Maverick's dangerous nature. "Mr. Black. It's a pleasure." Her voice, surprisingly steady, held a hint of polite coolness.

"Please, call me Maverick," he insisted, gesturing to the table. "Do sit. I've already ordered some appetizers. I trust you'll find them to your liking."

The conversation began innocuously, with Maverick making small talk about the Vegas climate and the latest business trends. Rowen responded with clipped, efficient answers, his posture rigid. Avery observed their dynamic, the underlying current of animosity palpable beneath the veneer of civility. Maverick's eyes constantly darted between them, searching, assessing.

"So, Avery," Maverick began, turning his full attention to her, "Rowen is usually quite the workaholic. I must say, I was surprised to hear he'd finally settled down. And so quickly, too." His tone was light, but the question hung heavy in the air.

Avery met his gaze directly. "When you know, you know, Maverick. Sometimes love just hits you like a whirlwind." She glanced at Rowen, a practiced, affectionate smile on her face. "Isn't that right, darling?"

Rowen's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly, but he managed a convincing smile. "Absolutely. Avery has a way of making even the most disciplined man forget all his plans."

Maverick chuckled, a dry, humorless sound. "Indeed. A woman's touch can be quite distracting. Tell me, Avery, what exactly was it about Rowen that captured your heart so swiftly?"

The question was a trap, designed to expose any inconsistencies in their hastily constructed narrative. Avery took a sip of water, giving herself a moment. "It wasn't just one thing, Maverick. It was his intensity, yes, but also a surprising vulnerability beneath the ruthless exterior." She leaned slightly towards Rowen, as if sharing an intimate secret. "He's not as cold as people think. He has a passion for what he builds, and a loyalty to his people that I found incredibly compelling."

Rowen's hand, resting on the table, briefly clenched. Avery's words, though part of the act, contained an unsettling kernel of truth. She had indeed glimpsed a different side of him, however fleetingly.

Maverick's smile remained fixed, but his eyes narrowed. "Fascinating. And you, Rowen? What drew you to Avery, a woman so seemingly different from your usual circle?"

Rowen's response was immediate and smooth. "Avery sees beyond the headlines, Maverick. She's intelligent, witty, and refreshingly honest. In a world of artifice, that's a rare and valuable quality." He reached across the table and briefly covered Avery's hand with his own, a gesture of unexpected intimacy. The contact sent a jolt through Avery, but she maintained her composure, her smile unwavering.

The dinner continued, a subtle dance of questions and carefully crafted answers. Maverick probed, subtly trying to find fault, to expose the cracks. He mentioned Avery's humble background, her recent financial struggles, attempting to paint her as a gold-digger. Avery, however, deflected each insinuation with a quiet dignity, emphasizing her independence and her genuine connection with Rowen.

As the meal concluded, Maverick leaned back, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Well, you certainly make a striking couple. I confess, you've managed to surprise me, Rowen. I look forward to seeing how this... partnership... develops." His words were a veiled threat, a reminder that the six-month performance had only just begun.

Rowen simply nodded, his gaze unwavering. "As do I, Maverick. As do I."

Leaving the restaurant, Avery felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her. The performance had been draining. As they stepped back into the cool night air, Rowen's hand, which had remained on her arm since leaving the table, tightened briefly before he released her.

"You did well," he stated, his voice devoid of emotion. "You convinced him."

Avery looked up at him, the bright lights of Vegas blurring around them. "For now," she replied, the unspoken challenge hanging between them. The night was far from over, and the real test of their accidental marriage had only just begun.