Chapter 6 The Terms of Engagement

The journey back to Rowen Knight's penthouse was a study in controlled silence. The opulent interior of the car felt less like a sanctuary and more like a sealed chamber, containing the lingering tension from their dinner with Maverick Black. Avery, still in the emerald gown, felt the weight of the evening settle over her. Beside her, Rowen remained a formidable, unreadable presence, his gaze fixed on the passing cityscape.

Upon their arrival, the penthouse itself seemed to exhale, its vast, luxurious spaces absorbing the last vestiges of the day's performance. Rowen moved with practiced ease, loosening his tie and shedding his jacket, which he draped over a plush armchair. Avery, feeling the sudden release from the evening's scrutiny, went directly to the panoramic windows, looking out at the glittering expanse of Las Vegas. The city, a monument to illusion, now mirrored her own precarious reality.

"You handled yourself well tonight," Rowen stated, his voice devoid of overt praise but carrying a note of quiet approval. "Maverick didn't get the reaction he was looking for."

Avery turned from the glass, her reflection a sophisticated stranger in the dim light. "He tried, though. Every question was a probe." She crossed her arms, a defensive gesture. "It was... exhausting."

"He's relentless," Rowen conceded, moving to the wet bar. "This was just the first skirmish. He'll be looking for any weakness, any inconsistency." He poured himself a glass of whiskey, the amber liquid catching the faint light. "We need to establish clear boundaries for our living arrangement."

Avery watched him, a faint cynicism touching her lips. "Boundaries. Right. Because living with a complete stranger you accidentally married, in a penthouse that costs more than my entire life savings, is perfectly normal."

Rowen met her gaze, his expression unwavering. "This is a business arrangement, Avery. A significant one. It requires a professional approach. For it to succeed, we need structure."

"Alright," Avery conceded, her voice softening. "Lay them out."

Rowen listed the terms with the precision of a corporate executive. "First, privacy. This penthouse has two master suites. You will occupy one, I the other. There will be no shared sleeping arrangements. Second, public appearances: we maintain the facade of a happily married couple. Appropriate displays of affection, nothing more. Convincing, but never over-the-top. Third, discretion. What happens within these walls, and the true nature of our arrangement, remains strictly confidential. No exceptions, not even for your closest friends. Fourth, my staff. They are loyal and discreet, but they will treat you as my wife. Be mindful of your words and actions around them."

Avery absorbed each point, a strange mix of relief and a subtle, unexpected disappointment settling within her. The clear delineation of their roles, while necessary for the charade, also underscored the unbridgeable chasm between their public and private lives.

"And fifth?" she prompted, sensing a final, unspoken condition.

Rowen paused, his gaze briefly flicking over her, taking in her tired but resilient posture. "Fifth, we operate as a united front. Against Maverick, against the media, against anyone who seeks to undermine this. We are allies. If you have concerns, if you observe anything relevant, you bring it to me. I will do the same for you."

Avery nodded slowly. "An alliance, then. An uncomfortable one."

A faint, almost imperceptible shift occurred in Rowen's expression, a fleeting hint of something less rigid. "Perhaps. But effective, as tonight proved." He finished his drink. "You possess a surprising resilience, Avery. It was... unexpected."

Avery felt a warmth spread through her at the rare compliment, a small acknowledgment of her effort. "I have good reason to be. More than you know."

Rowen's eyes, usually so guarded, seemed to hold a fleeting moment of something akin to understanding, though he did not press for details. He simply nodded, a silent acceptance of her unspoken burdens. "Get some rest. We have a busy few weeks ahead."

He turned, heading towards his own private quarters. Avery watched him disappear, then returned to the window. The city lights continued to blaze, indifferent to the intricate charade playing out within its confines. The first major test was over, but the true challenge of their accidental marriage, and the uncomfortable alliance it forged, had only just begun. The quiet reality of their new life together stretched before them, a complex tapestry of pretense and unforeseen complications.