Pledge To The Billionaire

The low hum of New York City traffic filled the air as Mia Brooks locked up her flower shop for the night. The scent of roses and lilies still clung to her fingertips, a stark contrast to the suffocating weight of the debt hanging over her head. She pulled her coat tighter against the chilly autumn breeze and let out a long breath.

Tomorrow, the bank would officially repossess Bloom & Ivy.

The reality settled like a stone in her stomach. She had tried everything-discounts, promotions, even begging her landlord for an extension-but nothing had worked. The bills had piled too high, the debts too deep. All she had left was a handful of wilted daisies and an eviction notice.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket.

Unknown Number.

Mia hesitated before answering. "Hello?"

A smooth, commanding voice met her ear. "Mia Brooks?"

Her grip on the phone tightened. "Who's asking?"

"I'm calling on behalf of Xavier Harrington. He wishes to meet with you. Tonight."

Mia nearly tripped over her own feet. Xavier Harrington? The Xavier Harrington? The billionaire tech mogul whose name was practically engraved on half the skyscrapers in Manhattan? Why the hell would someone like him want to meet her?

She swallowed. "There must be a mistake. I don't-"

"No mistake." The voice remained impassive. "Mr. Harrington will see you in one hour. I'll send a car."

The line went dead before she could protest.

Mia stared at her phone in disbelief.

This had to be a prank. Or a scam. Or something equally absurd. But a flicker of curiosity wormed its way through her skepticism. She had nothing left to lose-what was one mysterious meeting compared to the ruin already looming over her?

An hour later, she found herself stepping into the sleek interior of a black Bentley.

The driver didn't say a word as the city blurred past in streaks of neon and steel. Mia's fingers curled into fists in her lap, her mind racing through every worst-case scenario.

By the time they pulled up in front of a towering glass skyscraper, her pulse was a hammer against her ribs.

The elevator ride to the penthouse felt endless. The doors slid open to reveal a breathtaking office-floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the glittering city, a sleek mahogany desk, and walls lined with books that looked untouched. The air smelled of expensive leather and something darker-power.

And then she saw him.

Xavier Harrington stood by the window, his back to her. The city lights cast long shadows over his broad frame, the sharp cut of his tailored suit doing nothing to soften the intensity that radiated from him. When he finally turned, Mia's breath caught.

He was gorgeous-all chiseled angles and dark intensity. But what stole her attention was the scar that slashed down his left cheek, a mark that only added to his air of untouchable authority. His icy blue eyes locked onto her, assessing, calculating.

"Mia Brooks." His voice was rich, smooth, but laced with something unreadable.

Mia lifted her chin. "That's me. And you are?"

The corner of his mouth twitched, not quite a smile. "You know exactly who I am."

She crossed her arms. "I know of you. I don't know why I'm here."

Xavier studied her for a long moment before gesturing toward the chair in front of his desk. "Sit."

Mia hesitated, then sank into the plush leather, keeping her posture rigid.

"You own Bloom & Ivy," Xavier said, settling into his own chair.