In Contract With the Billionaire

was thinner than E

e and pushed halfway under her apartment door, as if

ead at the top, bo

en

led faintly of detergent and burnt toast-proof that life had been lived here, that effort had been made. Outside,

she officially

nt overdue. Utilities behind. Phone service hanging by a thread. Her laptop-her last real asset-

verything she wa

lean on people, didn't ask for help she couldn't repay. And yet here

hone

before she

wn Nu

ce. Twice. Then stop

ndlord, she had nothing new to offer. And if it was symp

n the counter beside her keys. Panic could wait. Panic w

olled bun. Her reflection looked composed, professional. No on

lowed on her

roup – Exec

arrived. A last-minute interview. No job title. No

Black

corporate worl

gle boardroom conversation and rebuild them entirely under his control. He di

walking into something

d a way of making

e skyline, all glass and authority. The kind of building

e front desk. The receptionist glanced at her

he said. "He's

ened something i

ing floor, her awareness sharpened-not fear, exactly, but the sen

vate corridor. One office

knoc

me

s calm. Male

hed the d

rather than comfort. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed the cit

as dark, perfectly tailored, not flashy-authority without effort. Hi

lt it in

n't an i

s an ev

," he said.

ch. "I'm not. I arrive

pa

-the corner of h

"That tells me yo

sat, spine straight, hands folded in her la

ers steepled. "Do you

applied for an analyst role week

is

anded with

desk. Her name was pri

rent. Your pending eviction. Your employment gap. I also know you declined t

in her ears. "Y

interrupted smoothly. "Y

retched be

s from losing you

She wouldn't insult th

ind his back as he looked out over the city. "I don't

to her, eyes sh

elieve in t

settled in El

hat resolves your immediate proble

ed into her palm

hen he smi

iscuss t

g on the edge of eviction, facing a man who could end her crisis with a sen

be no walking