Chapter 5 Five

Raven hadn’t slept in days.

Ever since Giovanni Monti walked into her office and dropped that bombshell... that they were married... she hadn’t been herself. Her thoughts spun endlessly, her appetite vanished, and every time she closed her eyes, she saw his face.

His calm, unshaken arrogance.

The power in his voice when he said We deal with it.

She’d thrown herself into work, hoping to drown him out with deadlines and details. But no amount of event schedules or color palettes could mute the gnawing anxiety that sat like ice in her chest.

When her phone buzzed that morning, she almost ignored it. But the name flashing across her screen made her freeze.

Unknown Number: Meet me at the Ritz Carlton. Room 2103. 8PM.

G.M.

Before she could even think of a reply, another message followed.

My assistant Matteo will pick you up. Don’t make me wait.

Her throat tightened.

There was no mistaking the tone. It wasn’t a request.

By 7:30, Raven was sitting in the back of a sleek black Mercedes, staring out at the city lights while her stomach twisted in knots. Matteo, a tall, silent man in a dark suit, sat in the front seat, speaking only once to confirm her name.

When they reached the hotel, he led her up to the 21st floor and stopped before a set of heavy double doors.

He knocked once, then stepped aside.

“Mr. Monti is expecting you.”

Raven took a breath and stepped in.

The suite was vast... dimly lit, elegant, a skyline of New York glittering through floor-to-ceiling windows. Giovanni sat near the window, one leg crossed over the other, a tumbler of whiskey in his hand. His shirt sleeves were rolled to his elbows, exposing a gold watch and the veins along his forearms.

“Sit,” he said simply, not looking up.

His voice sent an unwanted shiver down her spine.

She took the seat across from him, stiff and wary.

For a long moment, silence hung between them. Giovanni finally set down his glass and met her eyes.

“I know this marriage is an inconvenience to both of us,” he said evenly. “But I would like you to be my wife…for six months.”

Raven blinked. “Excuse me?”

“Six months,” he repeated calmly, as though discussing a business deal. “After that, I’ll grant you a divorce.”

She stared at him, unable to believe what she’d heard. “You want us to stay married to you for six months?”

“Not just stay married,” Giovanni said, leaning forward. “But act married.”

Her mouth fell open slightly. She let out a nervous laugh. “You’re joking, right? This…this is insane. I can’t do that.”

She stood, her voice rising. “I don’t even know you. You can’t just..”

“Sit down.”

The command rolled out of him like steel.

She ignored it and kept walking toward the door.

Then his next words froze her mid-step.

“Walk out that door, and your company dies, Miss Quinn.”

Her heart stopped. Slowly, she turned to face him.

Giovanni sat exactly as before…legs crossed, expression calm, only his eyes colder now.

“What did you just say?” she whispered.

He tilted his head, voice measured and cruel. “Your company. Velvet Luxe Events. Cute name, by the way. I like how you marketed it as ‘exclusive luxury experiences.’ Very… aspirational.” He smiled faintly. “It’d be a shame if your clients suddenly pulled out.”

“You wouldn’t,” she said, voice trembling.

“Wouldn’t I?” Giovanni’s tone didn’t rise, but it sliced clean through her. “Try me, Miss Quinn. You’d be surprised how quickly a few calls to the right people can bury an event planner’s reputation.”

She stood frozen. “Why… why are you doing this.. Why would you do this?”

He leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees. “Because I need a wife. Temporarily. For business, image, and reasons that are none of your concern. And because you, darling, owe me a mess to clean up.”

Her breath hitched. “You can’t really ruin my business.”

His lips curved faintly. “Try me, Miss Quinn.”

Something inside her cracked then. The anger, the fear, the disbelief…all tangled in her chest until it hurt to breathe.

She turned her face away, blinking fast, refusing to let him see her tears.

“What’s it going to be?” Giovanni asked quietly.

Raven swallowed hard. “Just six months?”

“Yes,” he said, watching her closely. “That’s all I need.”

The words tasted bitter when they left her lips. “I’ll do it.”

“Good girl.”

The way he said it made her flinch… angrily.

He gestured toward Matteo. “Bring out the contract.”

Matteo stepped forward, carrying a sleek black folder. He set it on the table, flipped it open, and placed a pen beside it.

Giovanni’s tone was clipped. “Read. Then sign.”

Raven hesitated, then reached for the papers. Her hands trembled slightly as she scanned the pages. Her eyes widened with every clause.

It wasn’t just a marriage contract. It was a prison.

Giovanni & Raven’s Temporary Marriage Contract

Between:

A (Raven Quinn) and B (Giovanni Monti)

Clause 1: A agrees to whatever B says, without objection or refusal.

Clause 2: A shall reside in B’s home for the duration of six (6) months and attend all public events as his lawful wife.

Clause 3: A must maintain confidentiality regarding all personal, business, and family matters of B. Breach of this clause will result in legal prosecution.

Clause 4: A is required to wear her wedding ring in public at all times.

Clause 5: No romantic or physical involvement with any other party is permitted during the contract period.

Clause 6: A must accompany B to all required functions, business trips, and family gatherings, regardless of prior commitments.

Clause 7: All decisions regarding living arrangements, travel, or appearances are at B’s discretion.

Clause 8: B reserves the right to terminate the agreement early under his conditions; A may not.

Clause 9: Upon completion of six months, A will receive a settlement of one (1) billion dollars, contingent upon her compliance with all clauses.

Clause 10: Failure to comply with any of the above terms will nullify the agreement and subject A to financial and legal repercussions as determined by B’s legal team.

Raven’s breath hitched when she reached the final clause. Her throat was tight, her eyes burning, but she refused to let a tear fall.

When she looked up, Giovanni was watching her quietly, his expression unreadable.

“Well?” he asked. “Do we have an understanding?”

Her voice was a whisper. “This is blackmail.”

“Call it whatever... it business,” he replied coolly. “You created a problem. I’m offering you a way out… with benefits.”

She stared at the paper, then at him.

The man was infuriating. Cruel. And far too sure of his power.

Her hand shook as she picked up the pen.

“I hate you,” she murmured.

Giovanni’s lips twitched faintly. “You’ll survive.”

The sound of her signature scratching across the paper was the sound of her freedom being sold.

When she was done, Giovanni reached forward, took the contract, and glanced at the signature.

“Good girl,” he said again, quietly, almost like a verdict.

Then he stood, closing the folder.

“I’ll have Matteo send you the details. You’ll move into my residence tomorrow.”

Raven pushed back her chair, feeling the last of her strength threaten to break. “You really are insane.”

Giovanni smirked faintly, his eyes dark and unreadable.

“Perhaps. But I always get what I want.”