Chapter 2

Seraphina's POV

Three hours later, I sat in my private office, six large screens glowing before me, each displaying different intel on Phoenix Ashford.

Training videos, interview clips, social media screenshots, private photos—everything I'd spent a week gathering was finally paying off.

Phoenix Ashford, 24, professional tennis player. Identical to his twin brother Caspian in looks, but their personalities couldn't be more different. If Caspian was ice, Phoenix was fire—passionate, impulsive, and ruled by emotion.

I studied his recent performances closely. After Madison Vale, his scorned ex-coach, got rejected, she'd quit in a rage, poaching his entire elite training team. Without support, Phoenix had crashed and burned in last month's crucial match, his world ranking plummeting.

The media had pounced—"Fallen Prodigy," "The Ashford Family's Failure," "Too Rich to Succeed."

I zoomed in on a photo of him after the loss. His usually sunny face was twisted with frustration and rage as he smashed his racket into the ground.

Perfect timing.

A man at rock bottom needed what? Understanding, support, and a beautiful woman to soothe his wounds. Lucky for him, I could provide all three.

My phone buzzed. Caspian's name flashed on the screen.

"Where are you, babe?" His voice dripped with possessiveness. "I'll send a driver."

Showtime. I needed a reason to get to Miami—and Caspian was my ticket.

"I'm at the office, handling some investment stuff," I said, letting my voice sound weary. "There's a project in Miami I need to check out in person."

Silence on the other end.

"Miami? What's so important?" he asked.

"A new resort development," I lied smoothly, the story prepped. "The investors only trust me, no middlemen. You know I need to prove I'm more than just arm candy."

More silence. I could picture Caspian's brows knitting together.

"Send me the address. I'm coming with you."

Damn it, I knew he'd say that.

"Caspian, this is a big deal," I said, softening my voice, letting it tremble. "I need to prove I'm good enough for you. If you're always shielding me, what will people think of me? Of you?"

"I don't give a damn what people think."

"But I do." I paused for effect. "Please, let me do this for our future. I'll be back soon."

A long pause, then, "I don't like you out of my sight."

"Three days," I purred, turning on the charm. "I'll text you every hour and video call every night."

"You sure you don't need me there?"

Time for the big guns.

"I'm coming to you now," I said, shutting down my computer. "Some things are better said in person."

An hour later, I stepped into the top-floor office of Ashford Group's headquarters, the heart of Caspian's empire. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked Manhattan's glittering skyline.

"Thought you changed your mind," Caspian said, rising from his massive desk, eyes still wary.

"Never." I sauntered toward him, hips swaying deliberately. "I just wanted to explain in person."

I rounded the desk and stopped in front of him. Then, slowly, I sank to my knees.

"Seraphina, what are you—?" His voice turned rough.

"Showing you how much I need your trust," I said, my hands gliding up his thighs, feeling him tense. "I don't want you thinking I'm just some clingy girl. I want to be your equal."

I unbuckled his belt, unzipped his pants. He was already half-hard.

"If you don't trust me…" I looked up, letting tears shimmer in my eyes, "what future do we have?"

"Damn it…" he muttered, his hand tangling in my hair.

I took him in my mouth. His groans echoed in the quiet office. I knew his weakness—when it came to reason versus desire, desire always won.

Minutes later, he pulled me up, pinning me to the desk. Papers scattered as he tore my skirt and thrust into me, hard and fast.

"Three days," he panted in my ear. "That's all you get. Then you're back."

"I promise," I gasped, clinging to him, smirking inside.

Men are so EASY to play.

That night, I sat on a private jet to Miami. Madison Vale was across from me, a table littered with Phoenix's files between us.

Madison looked worse than in our last video call, her eyes burning with vengeful fire.

"Here's his full psych profile," she said, shoving a thick file toward me. "Fears, desires, weaknesses—all in there."

I flipped it open. The intel was even more detailed than I'd expected. Madison knew him inside out.

"What's his biggest fear?" I asked.

"Betrayal," she said, her smile twisted and cruel. "His ex left him for money. Since then, he struggles to trust. But once he does, he's all in."

"Perfect." I kept reading. "What else?"

"He craves understanding. Everyone sees his talent, but no one gets the pressure—family expectations, media scrutiny, competing with his brother. He needs someone who sees him."

I nodded, already crafting my approach to Phoenix.

"Your plan?" Madison asked. "Playing both brothers?"

"Why not?" I closed the file. "Caspian's already hooked, and Phoenix is at his lowest. I'll be his savior, then crush him when he trusts me most."

"And Caspian?"

"When I'm done with Phoenix, I'll make sure the brothers tear each other apart." My smile turned cold. "Imagine Caspian finding out his woman betrayed him for his brother. And Phoenix learning his dream girl was his brother's first?"

Madison's eyes gleamed with excitement. "He fears betrayal… so give him the ultimate betrayal."

"Two birds, one stone." I raised my champagne glass. "To a perfect revenge."

The plane sliced through the clouds, darkness stretching below. But inside, I burned with a predator's thrill.

Phoenix Ashford, your nightmare's about to begin.