Chapter 4 His offer comes with chains

The silence between us was thick enough to choke on.

Adrian leaned back in his chair, hands steepled under his chin, eyes locked on me like he could read every unspoken thought racing through my mind. My fingers curled tightly in my lap, nails digging into my palms just to keep myself grounded.

This office was intimidating-polished black marble floors, towering glass windows framing the glittering city, and him, perched like a king at the head of a dark mahogany desk. The leather chair swallowed him, yet he somehow still commanded the space, radiating an authority that made me feel small.

I hated that.

I straightened my spine, forcing my chin up. "If this is about my job, I already"

"It's not about your job," he interrupted smoothly, his voice deep and calm, but with a razor's edge.

The way his gaze flickered to the folder in front of him sent a rush of icy dread through me. I followed his glance, my stomach twisting into knots. That folder. What was in it? Why had he called me up here at all?

He reached for it, his fingers sliding across the glossy surface, and flipped it open with casual precision. "Elara Morgan," he began, his tone measured, "Age twenty seven. Grew up in a small town outside of Denver. Graduated with honors in accounting. Moved to the city five years ago. Currently employed at Blake Enterprises, though,"he arched an eyebrow "you've been strangely under the radar for someone with your level of competence."

I froze, blood running cold.

This wasn't small talk. This wasn't a casual meeting. He had done his research on me. All of me.

"I..." My voice cracked, and I cleared my throat. "I'm not sure what you're getting at, Mr. Blake."

He leaned forward, forearms resting on the desk. "Drop the formalities, Elara. We both know this conversation isn't about work."

My pulse hammered so loud it drowned out the faint hum of the city outside. He knew. Oh God, he knew.

I glanced at the folder again, my fingers twitching. "Then... what is this about?"

He smirked, though there was no humor in his eyes. "Your son."

My entire body went rigid.

I sucked in a breath, the world tilting violently. "What?"

Adrian's eyes didn't waver. "Your son. Three years old. Name's Liam." He leaned back in his chair again, casual as though he hadn't just ripped the ground out from under me. "Would you like me to continue, or should we skip to the part where you explain why you've kept him from me?"

I gripped the arms of my chair so hard my knuckles went white. "I You don't..." My throat closed, and I had to swallow hard. "You don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't insult me, Elara." His voice dropped lower, the dangerous calm of a man who didn't raise his voice to assert power he simply was power. "I don't play games, and I don't make accusations without proof. I know he's mine."

I flinched, my entire body trembling.

He couldn't. There was no way. I'd been so careful. I'd moved cities, cut ties with almost everyone I knew, kept my pregnancy quiet, even switched hospitals at the last second. I'd done everything to protect Liam from this world-his world.

And yet...

"How... how did you..." My voice cracked. "How do you know?"

Adrian tapped the folder. "I have resources. I don't miss things that belong to me."

Belong to him? The words sparked fury in me, momentarily overpowering my fear. "He's not an object. He's not-"

"My blood," Adrian cut in sharply. His eyes burned into mine, unyielding, terrifyingly intense. "My son."

Tears stung my eyes, but I blinked them back furiously. I wouldn't cry in front of him. Not now. Not when he was looking at me like I'd committed some unforgivable crime.

"He's not... he's not just yours," I whispered, voice shaking. "He's mine too. And you don't get to just... walk in after three years and-"

"And what?" His voice softened, but the steel remained. "Expect a place in his life? Claim him? Protect him? Provide for him? Elara, do you even know what kind of target you've painted on his back by keeping him hidden?"

I blinked, startled. "Target? What are you talking about?"

Adrian leaned forward, his expression darkening. "You really don't get it, do you? This isn't a game. I'm not just some rich man who wants custody papers. I'm a Blake. My name comes with power... and enemies." He glanced briefly toward the floor-to-ceiling window, as if scanning the skyline. "You've been lucky so far. But if I could find him, others can too. And when they do..."

The unspoken words hung heavy between us.

My chest tightened, fear clawing up my throat. "You're saying... Liam's in danger?"

His eyes flicked back to mine, sharp and unwavering. "Yes."

My breath hitched.

I'd always known Adrian wasn't just wealthy; he was powerful. Dangerous even. But to hear him say Liam could be in danger because of his bloodline made my stomach twist violently. I'd been so focused on keeping him away from his father, I hadn't considered what that meant for the people who might use Liam as leverage.

"I won't let anyone hurt him," I whispered fiercely.

"Neither will I," Adrian said simply.

Our eyes locked, and for a moment, I thought I saw something flicker there-something softer, something almost vulnerable. But then it was gone, replaced by that cold, unyielding mask.

"I want him safe," I said, my voice shaking but determined.

"Then you'll agree to my terms."

My stomach sank. "Terms?"

Adrian leaned back in his chair again, his posture relaxed, but his words were anything but. "You and Liam will move into my home."

I blinked, sure I'd misheard him. "What?"

"You heard me," he said calmly. "You'll both live under my roof. My security. My protection."

My pulse roared in my ears. "You can't just-"

"I can. And I am."

I shot out of my chair, trembling with anger. "You think you can control me? Just because you're rich and powerful doesn't mean-"

"It's not about control," he interrupted sharply, his voice cutting through mine like a blade. "It's about safety. If you want him safe, this is the only way."

I stared at him, my breaths coming in shallow bursts.

"And if I refuse?" I asked bitterly.

His eyes hardened. "Then I'll use every legal resource I have to take custody."

My heart stopped.

"You wouldn't," I whispered.

He tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable. "Try me."

A tear slipped down my cheek before I could stop it. I hated him in that moment. I hated his calmness, his arrogance, his ability to make me feel so trapped. But more than that, I hated that he was right. I couldn't risk Liam's safety. Not if there was even a sliver of truth in his warning.

My shoulders sagged, defeat washing over me.

"You're a monster," I whispered, my voice breaking.

Adrian's jaw clenched, but he didn't respond. He simply reached for a pen and slid a piece of paper across the desk toward me. "It's a contract," he said. "Spelled out clearly: You and Liam move in with me, and in exchange, I'll provide full protection, security, and support. You'll be under my roof for one year. After that... we'll reevaluate."

I hesitated, staring at the document. "You want me to... sign this?"

"Yes."

"And what happens if I don't?"

His eyes darkened. "You already know the answer."

I stared down at the paper, the words blurring as tears filled my eyes. I felt like I was selling my freedom. Signing away everything I'd worked so hard to build. But when I thought about Liam-his tiny laugh, his soft curls, the way he clung to me at night-I knew I didn't have a choice.

With trembling fingers, I picked up the pen.

"Fine," I whispered.

Adrian watched me closely as I scribbled my name at the bottom of the contract. When I was done, he leaned forward and slid the paper back, glancing at my signature before neatly tucking it into the folder.

"Good," he said softly. "Pack your things. You move in tomorrow."

I clenched my fists, glaring at him. "You might have forced me into this, Adrian, but don't think for a second that I forgive you."

His gaze flickered, something unreadable in his expression, but he didn't respond. He simply stood, towering over me, and walked toward the door.

"Get some rest, Elara," he said, his voice low. "Tomorrow, everything changes."

---

By the time I stepped into the hallway, my legs were shaking so badly I had to lean against the wall for support. I'd just made a deal with the devil.

I stumbled toward the elevator, swiping at my tears, my chest aching with a thousand conflicting emotions. I hated him. I feared him. And yet... there was a strange, dangerous part of me that felt relief knowing he'd protect Liam.

But as I reached for the elevator button, a sharp voice stopped me in my tracks.

"Elara Morgan."

I froze, turning slowly.

A man I'd never seen before stood at the end of the hallway, dressed in a crisp black suit. His expression was blank, but his eyes... they sent a chill down my spine.

He slipped a small envelope into my hand without a word, then turned and disappeared down the corridor before I could say anything.

Heart pounding, I tore the envelope open.

Inside was a single slip of paper with a typed message:

You can't trust him. He's not protecting you. He's hunting you.

My breath caught, and the paper slipped from my trembling hands.

---

Who sent the message, and what does it mean for Adrian's supposed protection?