Chapter 0114

Slowly, Kent nods, studying me. “Yes, Fay. One million dollars a year, and the purchase of your

childhood home with the deed immediately signed over to your adoptive father. Plus, the purchase and

gift of a beach house, in your name, so you can spend your spare time there with your dad, your sister.

Anyone you choose. I don’t care which house – you can pick it.”

My jaw drops open to hear him confirm what I saw on the paper. I take a moment to digest this in

silence, my eyes fixed on Kent, his on me.

“What – what do you want from me?” I ask quietly. “What do you want me to do?”

“I want you to turn on your father.” he answers. “Quietly, discreetly, so that I can wipe out his power in

this world and take it for myself. I’ll direct your every move, don’t worry. But in particular, I want you to

continue your relationship with Ivan, to convince him to leave Alden and ally with me instead.”

I blink in shock, staring up at his audacity. But, frankly, it’s – it’s brilliant…

“Fay,” Daniel protests, worried. “Don’t do it – don’t get involved in this, it’s too dangerous - I can give

you more, keep you safe –“

“Do you have a pen?” I interrupt, my eyes on Kent. Kent pulls a pen from a cup on his desk and slides

it across the desk to me. Daniel tries to grab it first, but I swat his hand away, snagging the pen and

hastily signing my name to the bottom of the fourth page.

“Fay,” Daniel moans, putting his head in his hands. “What did you just do –“

“It’s everything I’ve ever wanted, Daniel,” I explain, turning apologetic eyes to him. “A way to help my

family, to stand on my own two feet, to mark my allegiance with this family. And you and I – we can still

be – but we can…” I hesitate, not knowing how to say it all just now.

But I shake my head, dismissing it, instead turning my eyes to Kent now, grateful for this gift. “Thank

you, Kent,” I say, meaning every word. “I’ll do everything I can. Thank you.”

He nods, his face stern, but I swear I see something flicker behind his eyes. A softness I don’t usually

see there.

Daniel pushes his chair back hard as he gets to his feet, storming towards the door. “I’ll never forgive

you for this, Dad,” he asserts, staring hard at his father as he yanks the door open. “She was mine, the

only one I had on my side, and you took her from me.”

I feel guilt roil in my stomach as I realize, suddenly, that he’s right. We entered this room promising

each other that we’d be a team, and at the first hint of money and freedom…I abandoned him.

I lower my eyes in shame as Daniel slams the door shut behind him.

“Don’t,” Kent says, his voice soft.

I look up at him, confused.

“Don’t let him make you feel bad for doing what’s right for you,” he insists, his voice steady. “You made

the right choice, Fay. And I’ll take care of you. I won’t let you get hurt.”

I nod, agreeing, but still…Daniel was the only friend I had in this house, really. Was I totally alone now?

“Besides,” Kent continues, producing a second document from the top drawer of the desk. “We’re not

finished with our business today.”

“What’s it for?” I ask, looking up at him.

“It’s a contract, Fay.” Kent explains slowly. “For an additional service I’d like you to perform. One that

will be…quite lucrative.”

Kent places his hands evenly on his desk, his muscular shoulders rolling as he leans across it to bring

his face closer to mine. His green eyes flash with hunger as he stares into my eyes.

“I want you to be my mistress, Fay.”