Prologue

Prologue

“To what ends will Lena climb to get revenge against her late sister's boyfriend? Marrying him is only the beginning.”

It’s no news to Lena that the man she ‘married in contract’ is an evil bastard, a notorious playboy; even worse, Dimitri Belcroft is the man who destroyed her family, and she’s only here to return the favor. He just had to be in dire need of a bride, the last obstacle standing between him and the CEO position, and Lena happens to be the first woman who catches his eye. At least, that’s what she wants him to think.

Two weeks and five days as his secretary and two months as his little contract wife—that’s how long it takes Lena to finally learn the passcode to her husband’s private study. He’s a man of many dark secrets, but today, she will unfailingly gather enough evidence to commence his ruin.

A chill washes over her as she enters the cool, gloomy room. It’s clearly stated in their marriage contract that this room is forbidden to her, but with Dimitri away on a business trip, this is the only chance she gets.

Lena rushes to his table, going through files and folders. She tries to unlock his laptop but gives up after an imposed time delay, quickly moving to his desk drawers. Desperation courses through her veins as she opens drawer after drawer, searching for anything implicating. But there’s nothing. Absolutely nothing!

“Dammit!” She hisses, shutting a drawer in frustration. But as she turns around, something catches her eye. She lets out a gasp, moving away from the desk. How did she not see it? Dimitri’s safe–black and shiny.

A smirk forms on her lips. “I’ve got you.”

“What are you doing here, Lena?” Dimitri suddenly thunders behind her.

Her breath catches in her throat, a chill traveling up her spine at the realization. ‘When did he come in? Why is he back?’ These questions run through her mind as she turns to meet his suspecting gaze bearing into hers like he’s caught a thief. She knows she’s doomed if she stays quiet.

Dimitri never asks a question twice. If she doesn’t answer him in the next three seconds, she fears her life will be put at risk. Think, Lena, think.

“I missed you.” She utters, moving closer to him as she watches his brows straighten. “The door happened to be opened– I know I shouldn’t be here. I’m really sorry. I was just curious, and I, um, I thought being where you’re mostly at would make it feel less lonely…” The lie rolls off her tongue like a pro. She mustn’t be caught.

His face softens, his brows twitching slightly in surprise, yet an alarm goes off in Dimitri’s head. He is no fool. He has never left the door to his study open. Never. And even if he can clearly see Lena isn’t wearing anything under her silk sleepwear, he’s not one to fall prey to a woman’s charm.

Her heart flips when she sees his eyes slowly travel to his desk, and she knows he isn’t buying her lie.

“Make love to me.” She blurts the first thing that comes to mind and regrets it immediately when she sees the look in his eyes—Dimitri’s eyes widen in shock, but it’s only briefly. Her hate toward him is not mirrored in his gaze; instead, his gaze darkens, and she knows she’s set herself up. It’s too late to back out.

With the skill of a vixen, Lena plasters her small hands on his broad chest, stands on her tiptoes, and presses her lips onto his.

Not the welcome he is expecting, but how can he say no when the offerer is his sexy, little contract wife? The one woman he’s been dying to lay with. Dimitri slides his large hands down her thighs, lifting her off the ground and kissing her with a fervor that consumes them both instantly.

Her skin crawls with revulsion for him; even as he kisses her, she imagines how she’ll snatch everything and everyone from him. Just one night in his arms. Just one night in his bed; tomorrow, her hatred for him would still burn, just as his passion burns her very being.

******

Lena Reed’s POV.

“What if I just killed him? That wouldn’t be such a bad idea… A life for a life. After all, he killed my sister.” I mutter to myself as I stab the shirtless image of Dimitri Belcroft on the front page of the latest issue of Hottest Men of Our Time magazine. It arrived in the mail this morning. I use the tip of my folding knife to draw a cut in his chest, gritting my teeth as the paper splits in half. This is just one of the thousand ways I’ve killed him in my head.

I open a hidden compartment in my desk and fling the magazine there, another addition to my collection of Dimitri Belcroft’s front covers. It’s the hundred and fifth magazine. I’ve been collecting them for five years now. Call me crazy, but if I’m to wipe him off the face of the earth, I have to know every single thing about him, and if that includes looking at sultry pictures of him, then so be it.

The elevator dings, and I quickly tuck the knife into my skirt and then rise to my feet. Mr. Lucas Belcroft steps in, filling my little office with his warmth and friendly smile.

“Good morning, Mr. Belcroft,” I smile at him, leaving my desk to grab his briefcase.

“Lena. Isn’t it lovely to see you!”

“It’s lovely to see you, too, Mr. Belcroft,” I reply, opening his door for him. “I hope you had a beautiful weekend?”

He sighs happily, heading for his throne-like seat. “I had the best weekend in years.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” I flash him my best smile as I place his briefcase on the sofa. “You must be thrilled one of your sons will finally succeed you as CEO.”

“Yes!” He beams, going through some documents on his desk. “Between you and me, I always wanted it to be Dimitri. I’m happy he’s starting to see eye to eye with me.”

“I told you telling him that thing about his Mother will make him come around,” I say, silently rejoicing that my plan is coming together the way I want it.

“You were right. I thought he’d fly back to Miami, but he stayed back home. He may not have spoken to me throughout, but it was worth it! I just can’t wait to meet my future daughter-in-law.”

My smile grows wider. “I’ll get your tea, Mr. Belcroft.”

“Thank you, Lena.”

With a quick bow, I exit his office. Yes. I’m the secretary of the Father to the man I’m about to destroy. It took five years of being the top student in my class and three years of sending several applications to get here, and I’ve been Mr. Belcroft’s secretary for three and a half years now.

I’ve only stayed dedicated to one goal since I was 17. It’s the only thing that has kept me sane these past eleven years. It’s the only reason I wake up every morning and act like I’m okay when, in reality, I just want to end it all. But I’m not going to be weak like my sister. No, I’m not allowed to be weak like my sister until I finally pay everyone what they are due.

Since I returned from school that fateful day and saw my older sister drowning in a pool of her own blood and rainwater after her boyfriend of two months heartlessly used and dumped her, my whole life has never remained the same. She’d jumped from the twelfth floor of our shabby apartment building.

Our Mom didn’t take her death well and started to deteriorate in health. Even to this day, a week hasn’t passed that my mom didn’t visit the hospital. It’s only fair that I recompense the entire Belcroft family. It’s just a shame Mr. Belcroft happens to be Dimitri’s Father. He has been nothing but a kind boss to me, but the Father also has to pay for the sins of the Son.

As I prepare Mr. Belcroft’s tea, my phone beeps. I take a peek at it and read the message which comes in. ‘Dimitri Belcroft just entered the building. He should be up in five minutes.’

I drop two peppermint teabags in a mug of hot water and stir for exactly twenty seconds before disposing of them. Just the way Mr. Belcroft likes it. I waste no time in taking the tea to him.

I’m just a few meters from his door when he sighs in satisfaction. “What will I do without you, Lena? Bless you for this tea.”

“It’s always my pleasure, Mr. Belcroft.” I turn halfway and offer him a smile, hiding the fact that my hands are shaking and my heart is thumping rapidly because I’m about to meet his son for the first time. “I’ll be outside if you need anything.”

He waves me off as he takes another sip of his tea.

Once I’m outside the door, I ignore the nervous balls forming in my chest and loosen my ponytail. My long, dark hair bounces free around me. Dimitri Belcroft loves women with long dark hair; I grew mine for him and even dyed my brown hair black. I take off my suit, hang it around my seat, and loosen the first two buttons of my light blouse.

I hike my skirt up, folding it in till it reaches my mid-thigh. With shaky hands, I apply another layer of dark red lipstick before stepping into my red-bottom six-inch heels. He’s not easily pleased, but I only hope for one glance. One glance from him is all I need.

My heart races so fast as I stand a few meters away from the elevator door like a predator waiting for her prey. The second the elevator dings, I start walking toward it. The door slowly slides open, revealing the most sinful-looking man I’ve ever seen in my entire life. I practically stop breathing for a second. Sleek blonde hair frames his chiseled face, dark suit tailored to perfection, and shoulders so broad, one can sit seven standard glasses of water on them. I don’t stare for more than a few seconds before looking ahead as I keep walking.

He glances down at me before stepping out. Without a word, I walk past him and enter the elevator, not failing to inhale his scent. Dark and intoxicating—smoke and leather with a hint of spice, powerful and so impossible to ignore. His presence fills the entire elevator and beyond, wrapping around me like a warning and lure. Wow!

While my nerves are all over the place, Dimitri strides inside my office, unbothered and unaffected by my presence. I bite my lower lip in disappointment, clutching my phone in my hands before pressing a random floor button. I waited my whole life for this day. I can’t believe he just walked by.

The elevator dings, and I return to the center of the elevator. But just before the door closes, Dimitri glances over his shoulder, meeting my gaze unexpectedly. My pulse quickens, but I don’t react. I hold his gaze, staring into gray eyes until the door shuts completely.

It worked!