#5.

The headquarters of the Blackwood empire rose above the city like a monolith of glass and cold ambition. Ava smoothed her skirt as she stepped into the lobby, Upstairs, the secretary didn’t bother with a polite smile, she offered a look that suggested Ava was something the janitor had failed to scrub off the floor.

"Mr. Blackwood is expecting you," the woman said, gesturing toward the door.

Ava pushed them open. The office was cavernous, smelling of expensive tobacco and old money. Dominic was already there, pacing the length of the Persian rug like a caged animal. The moment he saw her, he stopped dead, his face contorting into a mask of pure anger.

"What the hell are you doing here?" he barked, his voice echoing off the high ceilings.

"Dominic, sit down and mind your manners," George said from behind his massive desk. He didn't look up from the file he was reading, but his tone brook no argument. He gestured to the empty chair beside Dominic. "Sit, Ava. Thank you for coming."

Ava took her seat with practiced modesty, her ankles crossed, her hands resting in her lap. She offered George a small, tentative smile. "Of course, Mr. Blackwood."

George closed the file and leaned forward, his eyes moving between his son’s simmering rage and Ava’s quiet composure. "I’ve spent the night thinking about the incident on the balcony. My family’s reputation is built on a specific standard of conduct. What happened last night—what my son did to you—cannot be undone, but it can be rectified."

Dominic scoffed, leaning back and crossing his arms. "Rectified? I told you, she’s a—"

"I’ve decided," George interrupted, his voice dropping, "that the only way to salvage this situation and protect this young woman’s honor is for the two of you to marry."

The silence that followed was deafening. Ava let out a sharp, audible gasp, her hand flying to her throat. Dominic, however, didn't just speak, he exploded out of his chair.

"Never," he spat. "You’ve lost your mind. I am not marrying a woman who practically fell out of the sky to ruin my life."

"Then you’ll lose the company," George said calmly. "If you can’t show the basic restraint and responsibility required to lead this family, I’ll hand the keys to Silas. He’s been looking for an excuse to step up, hasn’t he?"

Dominic’s face went pale, then a dangerous shade of red. "You’re blackmailing me? Over a girl who probably orchestrated the whole thing?"

"I am holding you accountable for assaulting a guest and stealing her innocence," George countered, his eyes hardening. "Ava told me herself—you took her first kiss. You took something she was saving for her husband. So, you will be that husband."

"I didn't touch her!" Dominic roared, slamming his fist onto the desk.

Ava looked between them, her bottom lip trembling. "Please," she whispered, her voice small and breaking. "Mr. Blackwood, I don’t want to be the cause of a war between you. If he hates me this much... maybe the wedding shouldn't happen. I’ll just go. I’ll try to forget."

"No," George said, his gaze softening as it landed on her. "You shouldn't have to forget. You deserve a man who takes responsibility. The wedding will be announced by the end of the week. Dominic, I suggest you start getting to know your fiancée. You’re dismissed."

Dominic didn't say another word. He turned on his heel and stormed out, the door slamming behind him with a force that rattled the windows.

George sighed, rubbing his temples. "I apologize for his temper, Ava. He’ll come around once he realizes I’m not joking. Are you truly alright with this?"

Ava nodded pitifully, dabbing at a dry eye. "If you think it’s best, sir. I just want to do the right thing."

"You’re a good girl. I’ll have my driver take you home."

"Oh, no," Ava said quickly, standing up. "That’s not necessary. I have a few errands to run nearby. I’d prefer the walk to clear my head."

George nodded, distracted by a ringing phone. "Very well. We’ll speak soon."

Ava exited the office, her heart racing. She made it to the elevator and pressed the button for the lobby, watching the floor numbers count down. 12... 11... 10...

The elevator jolted to a stop at the sixth floor. The doors slid open, and before she could even see who was standing there, a hand shot in, grabbed her arm, and jerked her out into a deserted hallway.

She was shoved into a darkened conference room, the door clicking shut behind her. A large hand clamped over her mouth, pinning her against the wall.

"What is your game?" Dominic hissed, his face inches from hers. His scent—expensive cologne and cold anger, clouded her senses. He let go of her mouth but kept her pinned with his body. "What are you after? Money? The Blackwood name or me?"

"I’m not after anything," Ava gasped, trying to shove him back, though he was like a brick wall. "I was invited there. You’re the one who cornered me on the balcony."

"And you lied to my father’s face," he countered, his grip on her shoulders tightening. "That I kissed you ? Give me a break. Why the hell would you say that?"

Ava straightened her posture as much as she could, her eyes flashing with a sudden, sharp light. "Because your father was standing right there, What was I supposed to say? 'Oh, don't worry, your son was just being a prick and pinning me to the wall for fun'? I had to protect my reputation. He would have thought I was some wh@re who threw herself at you."

Dominic’s lip curled. "Aren't you?"

The slap echoed through the room before he could even blink. Dominic’s head snapped to the side, his hand flying to his jaw. He looked back at her, his eyes dark with a promise of violence. "You little—," he whispered.

"Don't ever call me that," she fired back, her breath coming in hot bursts. "And don't think you can scare me."

Dominic stepped even closer, his height looming over her, cutting off the air. "Go back in there. Tell him you lied. Tell him you want out, or I will make every single day you spend in my house a living hell. You won't see a dime of my money, and you won't see a second of my respect. I can’t even give you the world nor the stars."

Ava didn't flinch. She leaned in, her nose almost touching his. "I don't need anything from you, Dominic." She let a slow, lethal smirk spread across her face. "You can’t give me the stars you say? But I promise I can make you see stars, right here right now."

Dominic’s eyes dropped to her lips, his pulse visible in the vein of his neck. His hand moved from the wall to her jaw, his thumb digging into her chin to force her gaze up.

"You’re so bold. Too bold. Since you’ve already told the world I took your first kiss," he growled, his voice a low, gravelly threat, "I might as well make sure the lie is based on some truth."

Before she could scream or mock him, he crashed his mouth against hers.