Zayden's POV:
I pulled up to the Sinclair residence, my Lamborghini rolling to a stop in front of the imposing gates. The estate loomed ahead, a cold monument to exclusivity and power. The perfectly trimmed hedges and tall iron gates gave off a sense of unapproachable grandeur, while the sprawling mansion looked more like a fortress than a home.
A butler greeted me at the entrance, his expression neutral, as if unannounced visitors at this hour were just another part of the day. I followed him through the marble-floored foyer, my footsteps echoing in the silent, sterile space. The air inside was just as cold as the exterior. Every piece of furniture, every painting on the walls, screamed status yet lacked any real warmth.
The butler led me down a long hallway, finally stopping in front of a heavy wooden door. He knocked softly and opened it, revealing the Mayor's study.
As I stepped inside, the door shut behind me with a loud bang. There he was... Henry Sinclair, sitting behind his massive oak desk, looked every bit the part of the city's one of the most influential men.
Henry's eyes flickered with surprise when he saw me standing there. His expression tightened over so slightly and he stood up from his chair, clearly unprepared for my visit.
Despite running in the same circles, Mayor and I went above and beyond to avoid each other. Him, because he thought I was disgusting for having once fucked a married woman. Me, because I didn't care about his judgment on my character.
"Zayden," he said, his voice laced with barely concealed irritation. "What a pleasant surprise!"
I smirked, stepping further into the room and without waiting for an invitation, I lowered myself in a chair opposite him.
"Anyway... It was a pleasure to meet you after so long." He sat down plastering a forced smile on his face. "Can I offer you a drink?"
"I don't drink on the job, Henry," I firmly said, considering the fact that I was his son's killer and he could easily poison me.
"Funny," he sneered at me. "You seem like a man who indulges quite often."
I flashed her a wolfish smirk. "And you seemed like a man who indulged quite often in the past and are now acting as a saint."
The Mayor's smile faltered, his eyes narrowing at my jab. Clearly, I'd struck a nerve.
"Excuse me," he snapped. "I suggest you choose your words carefully, Zayden. What are you even doing here anyway?"
"Let's cut to the chase, Henry. You know exactly why I'm here." I leaned back in the chair, deliberately slow, watching the tension rise in his shoulders.
The Mayor's hand gripped the edge of his desk, knuckles turning white. The false charm he had put on for this counter was beginning to crack.
I shrugged, keeping my gaze locked with his. "I want you to back the fuck up and tell your little detective to close the case. Any kind of nonsense accusations would be horrible for my businesses."
"Who the hell do you think you are coming into my home and telling me what to do?" He banged his fist against his desk. "It wouldn't be the first time you were involved in crimes. You just never get caught. But this time you dared to mess with my dear son."
Henry Sinclair was too egoistic and arrogant to be in our pockets which was why he had the audacity to talk to me the way he did. However, that would change very soon.
I grinned menacingly as I reached into my overcoat and pulled out a folder. Without a word, I tossed it into his desk. Henry's eyes flickered from me to the folder, suspicion cracking his features.
"Take a look." I said casually, watching him with amusement. "You may find that you aren't any better than me, Mayor Sinclair."
He hesitated, the anger on his face momentarily flattering. Slowly, he reached for the folder and flipped it open. The color drained from his face as his eyes scanned the documents inside.
He glanced up at me, panic flashing in his eyes, and for the first time since I walked into his house, he looked afraid.
"Ho...How did you get this?" His voice was barely audible.
"Maybe you should ask why I have this," I said smoothly, savoring the moment.
His mouth opened and closed, but no words came out. The secrets in that folder were deep, dirty and buried for years but now laid bare. He had always presented himself as a righteous man, a pillar of the community. But it could change overnight.
"Why do you have this, Zayden?" he finally choked out, his voice trembling with rage and fear.
"I've already said it, Henry," I replied, leaning forward, my tone sharpening. "You're going to make sure that little detective of yours drops the case. No digging, no questions. And in return, this... secret stays between us."
He stared at me, his face pale and his jaw clenched tightly, knowing he had no choice. He was cornered and he knew it. Besides, he loved his reputation more than his dead son.
"What guarantee do I have that you won't release this even if I comply?"
"I won't." I said simply. "But to ensure my utmost silence on the matter, you need to give me one more thing."
"What would that be?" His eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"Edith." I replied, my gaze never leaving his. "I want your daughter's hand in marriage."
Henry's face froze, his eyes widening in disbelief. He stared at me as if I'd just spoke a foreign language. For a long moment, the room was filled with nothing but silence until he barked.
"You son of a...."
"Careful, Henry," I interrupted, a cold smile on my lips. "You're not in a position to throw insults. Be smart otherwise everything in that folder will be public knowledge. And trust me, no one's going to care about your son's case when they're tearing your legacy to shreds."
"Besides, I want Edith as my wife for only one year. After that, I will gladly divorce her," I continued as it was all the time I needed to please my family and take over the seat.
His face twisted in disgust as he glared at me, his voice rising. "She is my daughter, not a bargaining chip. I can't trade her to a monster like you. And I will never let her be a part of your twisted game."
"You will do exactly what I say, so let's stop pretending you have a choice here." I snapped, dropping all the pretense of humor. "You had the audacity to mess up with me but now you have to pay the price. Close the case and tell your daughter that she has a new fiance. You have two days and the countdown begins from now on."
He stared at me, his jaw clenched, the weight of his decision pressing down on him like a vice.
"Oh, and feel free to keep that." I gestured at the folder. "I have another copy. So don't even dare to go against me, father-in-law."
Instead of answering me, his gaze dropped to the chain around my neck, its presence momentarily capturing his attention. The next second, his eyes widened in shock and confusion as he recognized the ring that was hanging alongside the cross on the chain.
Grinning, I touched the purity ring which I had been wearing on my chain since the morning Edith left me without any words.
"Wh...Why do you have that?" He stammered, his gaze still shocked.
"Do you like it?" I teased. "The precious gift that your daughter gave to me, after we... well, you don't need me to spell it out for you, Henry."
"Get out right now." He barked, standing from his seat in rage. "You filthy monster. If I find out you touched...."
Before he could finish, the study door swung open, and Henry's wife, Joyce Sinclair, stepped in.
"Honey, What's going on?" She asked, her gaze flicking between her husband and me.
"Hello, Mrs. Sinclair." I greeted her, standing up from my seat as I felt there was no need to remain any longer. "Sorry for the inconvenience. I was just making sure Mayor Sinclair understands the terms of our agreement."
Joyce's eyes darted between Henry and me, trying to understand the tension that had suddenly filled the room. Henry was seething, his face red and his fists clenched.
"Remember, Mayor Sinclair, you have two days. Clock's ticking." I gave him a final, cold smile, the weight of my ultimatum hanging heavily in the air.
Joyce's gaze followed me, filled with confusion as I exited the study with those last words.
[Don't forget to like, comment and leave a review. Thank you for reading the story so far.
The story is a dark romance and will have explicit scenes throughout the story with which some of you may feel uncomfortable, read at your own risk.]