Chapter 6 A Deal Sealed with Consequences.

Chloe's POV.

I sat on my bed with the contract in my lap and the pages felt heavy even though they were just paper. My phone kept buzzing on the pillow next to me and I knew it was Mia again because she had called three times already. I picked it up this time and pressed it to my ear. "Mia, talk to me."

"Chloe, the nurse just came out and said Mom needs a scan tonight, but they won't do it without five thousand upfront." Mia's voice cracked and she sounded so small. "I told them we'd pay, but I don't have it and they're looking at me like I'm lying."

I closed my eyes and the tears came fast because I couldn't stop them. "Tell them I'll transfer it now, okay? Just keep her stable."

I hung up before Mia could ask where the money was coming from and I opened the contract to the signature page. My hand shook, but I grabbed a pen from the nightstand and wrote my name fast, like ripping off a bandage.

I wrote "Chloe Carter" in black ink right next to Liam Astor's printed name. I photographed the signed page and texted it to the number he gave me with the words I agree.

My phone lit up less than ten seconds later. Move in tonight. Pack a bag and a car will be waiting for you downstairs in twenty minutes.

I threw clothes into my duffel without looking and grabbed my toothbrush, charger and the eviction notice because I didn't want to see it anymore.

The black car idled at the curb when I stepped outside and the driver got out to take my bag without a word. We drove through the city and I stared out the window until the buildings got taller and the streets got quieter.

The penthouse elevator opened straight into the living room and Liam stood there in gray sweatpants that hung low on his hips and nothing else. His chest was bare and his hair was messy, like he'd been running his hands through it. He held out an envelope. "First half. Fifty thousand."

I took it and the check inside had my name typed on it already. "Thank you," I said and my voice came out rough.

"Rules start now," he said and stepped closer until I could smell his soap. "No dating anyone else, no talking to the press and no leaving the penthouse without Marcus or me. Tomorrow night, family dinner at the estate. My grandmother will ask questions. You answer like we've been together for six months."

I nodded because what else could I do? "Six months, got it." He walked to the kitchen island and poured two fingers of whiskey into a glass, then slid it toward me. "Drink. You look like you need it."

I swallowed it in one burn and the heat spread through my chest. My phone buzzed in my pocket and I pulled it out to transfer money to the hospital. I sent ten thousand to be safe and the confirmation came back instantly. The nurse called right after. "Miss Carter, we received the payment. We'll start the tests now." "Call me with results, please," I said and hung up. Liam watched me the whole time and his eyes never left my face.

The elevator dinged again and Marcus stepped out carrying my duffel. He set it down and motioned me over while Liam turned to pour another drink. Marcus leaned in close. "Kim's been calling all day. Left three gift baskets. The boss tossed them in the trash himself."

"Kim who?" I whispered even though I knew from the files. "His ex. Thought you should know she's still trying." Marcus stepped back as Liam turned around.

Liam picked up my bag. "Guest room this way." He led me down a hallway with floor-to-ceiling windows and the city sparkled below us like it belonged to him. The guest room had a king bed, white sheets and a bathroom bigger than my old apartment. He dropped the bag on the bench. "Read the contract again. Every line."

I sat on the bed and opened the file because his tone left no room for argument. I flipped pages I'd skimmed before and stopped on clause 14. Personal compensation for breach of rules at Mr. Astor's discretion in private. My stomach twisted. "What does this mean exactly?"

He closed the door and locked it, then walked over slowly. "It means if you break a rule, I decide the price." His hand came up and cupped my jaw and his thumb brushed my bottom lip. "Like now. You spoke to Marcus without permission."

"That was thirty seconds," I said, but my voice shook. "A rule's a rule." He backed me against the headboard and his mouth crashed into mine hard and demanding.

His tongue pushed past my lips and I tasted whiskey and want. His hands slid under my shirt and palms spread across my ribs, then higher until his thumbs brushed the lace of my bra. I remembered our first sexual encounter, the feeling and more. I gasped into his mouth and he swallowed the sound.

He pulled my shirt over my head and tossed it aside, then unhooked my bra with one hand. His mouth moved to my neck and he bit down just enough to sting, then soothed it with his tongue. My head fell back against the wood and my fingers dug into his shoulders. He pushed me flat on the bed and his weight settled between my legs. I felt how hard he was through his sweatpants.

"Boss Liam," I breathed and he ground against me once, then twice and the friction made me moan.

"This is compensation," he said against my collarbone and his hand slipped into my jeans and under my panties. His fingers found me wet already and he groaned. "Fuck, you're soaked." One finger slid inside easily and then another and he curled them just right and my hips bucked off the bed.

"Please," I whispered because I didn't know what I was asking for.

He pumped his fingers slowly and steadily and his thumb circled my clit until my thighs shook.

"You come when I say," he ordered and his voice was rough. I nodded frantically and he sped up and the pressure built fast and hot. "Now," he said and I shuddered around his fingers with his name on my lips.

He pulled his hand free and licked his fingers clean while watching me and the sight made my core clench again. Then he stood up and adjusted himself in his pants. "That's all for tonight. Don't break another rule." He walked out and closed the door behind him.

I lay there panting with my jeans still on and my shirt across the room. My phone buzzed on the nightstand and I reached for it. The hospital. "Miss Carter, the tests show a blockage. We'll need surgery tomorrow. Estimated cost: forty-five thousand."

I sat up fast and my head spun. The second half of Liam's money wouldn't come until the end and I had just sent ten. I opened my banking app and stared at the numbers. I could transfer more, but then I'd have nothing for rent, Mia's school, or food. Liam's footsteps echoed in the hall and I heard his bedroom door close.

I got up and fixed my clothes, then opened the contract again. Clause 14 stared back at me and I wondered what else he could demand. I walked to the connecting door between our rooms and pressed my ear against it. His voice came through low and muffled.

"Make sure the investigator finishes the report before Paris and keep Kim away from the penthouse." Pause. "No, I don't care what she says. Chloe stays until the gala.

She shouldn't find more reasons why I really picked her until then. My heart slammed against my ribs. I strained to hear more, but the call ended and his footsteps moved away. I stood there with my palm flat against the door and the lock clicked on his side. He had locked me out.

I backed away and sat on the edge of the bed. The check sat on the nightstand and I picked it up again.

Fifty thousand dollars and strings attached to every zero. Hours later, my phone buzzed with a text from Mia. Mom's sleeping. They said you saved her life tonight.

I texted back. Tell her I love her. Then I opened the banking app and transferred another five thousand to cover tomorrow's deposit. The balance dropped lower and I felt the walls closing in.

Liam's light went out under the door and the penthouse fell silent except for the hum of the city below. I changed into pajamas and crawled under the covers, but sleep wouldn't come.

Every time I closed my eyes, I felt his fingers inside me and heard his voice on the phone. Why I really picked her.