Chapter 5: Deal with the Devil

"Is this about legal representation, or is he just looking for another bet to win?"

Victoria Palmer's venomous words echoed in my head as I stared at Diana Wright's office door the next morning. My hangover pounded behind my eyes, but it was nothing compared to the anxiety churning in my stomach. Last night's confrontation had left me raw—Victoria's cruel reminder of that graduation night bet, Caspian's desperate eyes following me as I'd walked away.

Diana Wright's designer wall clock ticked like a time bomb as she examined the Warriors contract dispute file on her desk. My heart hammered in my chest, but I kept my face carefully blank. Six years of dealing with Robert had taught me how to hide my feelings behind a mask.

"You want to represent Caspian Drake." Her voice carried that special mix of amusement and skepticism that made my skin crawl. "The same Caspian Drake whose name you specifically asked to have removed from your potential client list six months ago."

My fingers tightened on my portfolio. "Things change. He needs representation for his contract dispute, and I need a high-profile client."

Diana's perfectly manicured nails drummed against her desk. "And the fact that you have... history with him?"

My stomach clenched. Of course she knew. Everyone in this damn city seemed to know about that graduation night, even if they didn't know the whole truth.

"That history makes me uniquely qualified to handle his case." I forced steel into my voice.

"Really?" One perfectly sculpted eyebrow rose. "Do tell."

"I know how he thinks. How he operates." The words tasted like copper in my mouth. "I know exactly what he's capable of. And right now, he's desperate enough to sign with a junior associate because no senior partner will touch his case. The Warriors are trying to void his contract – that makes him toxic to anyone with established NFL connections."

Diana leaned back in her chair, studying me like a specimen under a microscope. "You're playing a dangerous game, Sage. Mixing personal and professional rarely ends well. Especially not with someone who's already proven he can hurt you."

"With all due respect," I met her gaze steadily, "I don't have the luxury of playing it safe. You've made that very clear with your ultimatum."

"Ah yes, about that deadline. Olivia's father called this morning. He's considering moving all of Sterling Investment's legal work to us. Quite a coup for a first-year associate to arrange."

The implied threat hit me like a physical blow. Daddy's connections versus my desperate gamble.

"Three days, Miss Winters." Diana's voice softened with what might have been genuine sympathy. "Bring me a signed engagement letter from Mr. Drake, and we'll talk about your future here. Fail, and... well, I hear Starbucks is always hiring. Their health insurance covers anxiety medication, I believe?"

I stood, my legs steadier than I felt. "I'll have the letter by tomorrow."

The Victory Center's conference room felt like a gladiator arena. Caspian sat at the far end of the table, his custom suit probably worth more than my yearly salary. The boy who'd broken my heart had grown into a man who could break careers. But his eyes – those green eyes that had once made me believe in fairy tales – still couldn't quite hide his tells.

"Your contract situation is worse than the media knows." I laid out the documents I'd spent all night reviewing. "The Warriors aren't just trying to trade you – they're building a case to void your contract entirely."

His jaw tightened, that familiar muscle jumping the way it had before big games in high school. "They can't do that."

"They can try." I pushed the key clause across the table. "Your social media morality clause is unusually broad. Those photos with Victoria Palmer at the club? The ones that 'mysteriously' leaked last week? They're laying groundwork."

"That's bullshit." His fist clenched. "Victoria's the one who—"

"Who posted the photos? Exactly." I cut him off, grateful for the anger that kept my voice steady. "They're using your history with her to paint you as a liability. A talented quarterback who's more interested in partying with the boss's daughter than winning games."

Understanding dawned in his eyes. "Victoria's father is behind this. He's never forgiven me for not playing along with his matchmaking schemes."

"Now you're thinking like a lawyer." I pulled out the engagement letter, my golden ticket to survival at Morgan & Wright. "Sign with me, and I'll help you fight this. But I need total honesty. No more surprises. No more games."

He stared at me for a long moment. "Why are you helping me, Sage? After everything..."

"Because contrary to what you might think, this isn't about you." I kept my voice cold, professional. "This is about my career. You need a lawyer who understands both contract law and NFL regulations. I need a high-profile client to secure my position. It's business, nothing more."

The lie burned my throat, but I kept my face blank. I couldn't let him see how much it cost me to sit here, to breathe the same air as the man who'd taught me that trust was just another word for weakness.

His pen hovered over the engagement letter. "And you really think you can win this?"

I smiled, all teeth and no warmth. "I don't think, Mr. Drake. I know. Because unlike you, I never make promises I can't keep."

The pen scratched across paper, and just like that, I became Caspian Drake's attorney. The universe really does have one twisted sense of humor.

"One more thing," I gathered my papers, keeping my movements precise, controlled. "Stay away from Victoria Palmer. Any contact with her will only make this harder."

"Is that my lawyer talking, or...?"

"Your lawyer," I cut him off before he could finish that dangerous thought. "Everything from now on is strictly professional. The past stays in the past."

I walked out of the Victory Center with my head high and my heart racing. One battle won, with the engagement letter safely in my briefcase. Just as I reached the elevator, my phone buzzed with a text – a number I didn't recognize.

You made a big mistake today, little girl. Six years doesn't erase what you did. Did you think I wouldn't find you eventually? -R