19 – A Dangerous Game

19 – A Dangerous Game
Ellie’s POV

I exhaled slowly, staring at my reflection in the vanity mirror. The gown Adrien had sent was breathtaking—midnight blue, clinging to my curves in all the right places, the slit scandalously high up my thigh. The fabric shimmered under the soft lighting, luxurious, decadent.

He always chose things that made me feel like I belonged to him.

I clenched my fists. I didn’t.

The weight of expectation pressed against my chest. Tonight’s gala was another one of his high-profile events, and as per the contract, I had to be by his side, smiling, playing the part of his perfect companion. But tonight, something felt different. The air around me felt charged, like I was teetering on the edge of something inevitable.

Adrien had been different lately—watching me too closely, touching me too possessively, speaking to me as if I was already his in ways the contract never outlined. And then there was Lady Blake.

I’d caught her staring at me at the last event, her gaze filled with something far more dangerous than disdain. She knew I was in his space, breathing his air, consuming his attention.

And she hated it.

A sharp knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. I straightened, smoothing the fabric of my dress before opening it.

Lucien leaned against the doorframe, dressed in a sleek black suit, his smirk as sharp as ever.

"You clean up nicely, Ellie," he mused, his gaze trailing over me in slow appraisal.

I rolled my eyes. "Did Adrien send you to check on me?"

Lucien chuckled, stepping closer, the space between us evaporating. "You’re learning how things work, I see." His voice was silk wrapped around a blade. "Careful, little dove. You might start to enjoy this world more than you think."

I crossed my arms, refusing to give him the reaction he was baiting. "I doubt that."

He hummed, as if my defiance amused him. "Adrien is waiting downstairs." He extended his arm, an unnecessary invitation. "Shall we?"

I ignored his arm and walked ahead.

The car ride was silent, but Adrien’s presence was heavy beside me, suffocating in its intensity. He sat with his legs spread, fingers tapping lazily against his thigh, a picture of control—until you looked closer.

There was an edge to him tonight, something dark coiling beneath his usual smirk.

I swallowed hard. "Are we going to talk about why you’ve been acting different lately?"

Adrien turned his head slowly, his piercing gaze locking onto mine. "Different?"

I held my ground. "More possessive. More… controlling."

His lips twitched, as if the accusation amused him. "You signed a contract, Ellie. You knew what this was."

My stomach twisted. Did I?

Before I could respond, the car pulled up to the venue. Adrien slid out first, holding out his hand. I hesitated, but placed mine in his. The moment his fingers wrapped around mine, I felt it—the ownership, the silent demand.

Cameras flashed. Reporters shouted. The chaos of the outside world was a distant hum compared to the storm brewing between us.

Adrien didn’t acknowledge any of them, his grip firm as he guided me inside.

And then I saw her.

Lady Blake stood near the entrance, draped in red like a warning, her presence commanding attention. Her gaze landed on me, sharp and full of barely concealed hatred.

She knew.

Still, she smiled at Adrien, slow and sultry. "Adrien, darling. It’s been a while."

Adrien smirked, but there was no warmth in it. "Not long enough."

Her eyes flickered to me, her lips curling in disdain. "And you brought your pet. How charming."

Heat flared in my chest. I opened my mouth to respond, but Adrien’s grip on my waist tightened, pulling me flush against his side.

"She’s more than a pet, Blake." His voice was smooth, but beneath it, there was steel. A warning.

Lady Blake arched a delicate brow, her gaze settling on me with calculated interest. "Is that so?" She tilted her head. "Tell me, dear, do you enjoy being paraded around like a trophy?"

I smiled tightly. "I enjoy watching jealous women squirm."

Lucien chuckled behind me.

Lady Blake’s expression darkened.

Adrien’s fingers pressed into my hip. "Ellie," he murmured in warning, his tone low.

Lady Blake smirked, stepping closer, close enough that I could smell the expensive perfume clinging to her skin. "Don’t worry, darling," she purred. "We all know Adrien gets bored easily. When he does, don’t be surprised if you’re replaced."

I didn’t flinch, even as her words sliced through me.

But Adrien did something unexpected.

He leaned in, his breath warm against my ear.

"Do you want me to show her how wrong she is?"

My breath hitched.

His fingers traced slow circles on my lower back, light, teasing, deliberate. Every touch was calculated, a game of control. A game I wasn’t sure I knew how to win.

Lady Blake was still watching, waiting, expecting me to falter.

But I refused.

I tilted my chin, my lips barely moving as I whispered back, "Try me."