I walked back into the Founders' Table with Barrett's coat over my shoulders and my wrist burning under my sleeve.
The room went quiet in a way that felt worse than the laughing.
Gavin: Look who came back. The practice wife missed the party.
A few people laughed. Not the whole table this time. Just enough.
Bianca: Barrett, careful. She's had a lot of practice at being picked up.
My face went hot. My hands shook so I held the coat closed.
Barrett: Lacey is my wife.
The silence hit the room like a dropped plate.
Lacey: My what?
Gavin: That's a joke. She was mine for two years.
Barrett: She was never yours. You were just loud about wasting her time.
Gavin's smile flickered.
Gavin: Ask her how she kept me happy. She knows how to kneel and keep quiet.
I heard someone at the table gasp. My stomach dropped to my shoes.
Barrett moved before I could blink. His hand closed on Gavin's shoulder, hard.
Barrett: Say one more word about my wife and your access card dies by midnight.
Barrett: Your desk too.
Barrett turned me toward the door with his hand at my back.
Barrett: Shoulders back. Don't stop for anyone.
I kept walking. For once, the stares did not feel like knives.
In the marble hallway, away from the table, my knees almost gave out.
Barrett: You're shaking.
Lacey: You called me your wife in front of everyone.
Barrett: I meant it as a shield. I should have asked first.
Lacey: Asked me what? If I wanted to be protected?
Barrett: If you wanted the job.
Barrett: My family trust requires a wife. I need one before the next board meeting.
Barrett: You need a wall between you and Gavin. I can be that wall.
Lacey: You want a contract marriage.
Lacey: What happens if I say no?
Barrett: Then you leave alone. Gavin keeps his promise. Your kitchens dry up.
Barrett: I won't chase you. I don't rescue people who won't move.
Barrett: If you say yes, you live in my penthouse. You use my name. You show up.
Barrett: You don't run. You don't lie. You don't make me look weak.
Barrett: Break it and I will ruin Gavin. Then I will ruin you. I won't be gentle.
Barrett: I clean up my own messes. Even the ones wearing my ring.
His voice was flat. It scared me more than Gavin's threats.
Lacey: What do I get?
Barrett: A name people can't laugh at. Money for your jars. My protection.
Lacey: And you get a wife for your trust.
Barrett: Yes.
I should have said no. I had every reason.
But my wrist still hurt, and his coat was warm, and I was so tired of being small.
Lacey: Yes.
Barrett: Do you understand what you just said?
Lacey: I understand.
It was quick and hard, my mouth on his before my courage could run.
He went still for one second. Then his hand slid to my waist.
Barrett: That was not in the contract.
Lacey: Call it the signing bonus.
Barrett: Don't kiss me again unless you mean it.
I didn't know if I meant it. I didn't know why he wanted me either.
But when he took my hand, I did not pull away.