Just say 'yes'

The Contr

ion-laden air. Ella sat at the long, sleek dining table, her eyes fixed on the stack of papers in front of her.

king up the top docum

zo replied, his voi

. The contract was as binding as it was cruel. It detailed her responsibilities, the condit

ign away my life," she

air. His dark eyes bore into hers, unyielding. "In return, you'll have financial security,

ogance. "This isn't a pr

tone icy. "But you knew what you were

frustration boiling over. "What

ker of something dangerous in his gaze. "Then you for

al blow. She had fought tooth and nail to save that ho

she said, her

lied, his tone a

vy and oppressive. Ella's mind raced, weighing her options. She hated Enzo K

she picked up the pen

id, standing. "

m was as intimidating as the man himself, with dark wood paneling, floor-to-ceiling window o

Enzo announced, his attention

?" she repeate

aid, lookin

d how my world works. That includes attending meeting

out keeping up appearances,

an nothing if people think you're incompetent. You'll pl

, she nodded, her mind already forming a plan. If she was going to surv

er meeting with several of his business associates. The restaurant was the epitome of

murmured as

they approached the table. The men seated there were as polished and i

nzo said, his hand resting

r wife was so charming," one

member Mrs. Hall's lessons. "It's a pleasure

led to keep up. Enzo dominated the discussion, his sharp wit

?" one of the men asked,

elt her stomach drop. She had no

completely," she said,

se. But as the evening wore on, Ella couldn't shake t

thouse, Ella couldn't hold ba

d me," she snapped, k

hat?" Enzo asked, h

terrogated by y

enough," he said, u

d, her voice rising. "You treat

on darkening. "You are what I ne

expected, but she refused to l

don't expect me to roll over and play dead. If you want

ossed Enzo's face. But it was gone in an ins

id, walking past her and

couch, her resolve hardening. If Enzo Kingston t