Page 22 of His Dark Pact
Chapter Eight
The Contract
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THEY TRAVELED THROUGHthe dark streets, a heightened quiet stretching around the inside of the Mercedes. She pressed her face to the window, anxiety bubbling in her belly. Although the tinted glass at the back of his large car gave little away about their precise location, Amy could tell they’d moved to plusher neighborhoods by the size of the houses and the fact the vast number of them were gated, detached properties. She watched the perimeters of the houses flash past, conscious of how fast her breaths had become. Kyle had never given her his address and stupidly, she’d been so thankful for the opportunity he offered, she’d never asked.
It was unlike her to be reckless. She spent most of her life being sensible, being responsible, and taking care of other people’s needs, yet this one time, she’d acted for herself. Even that wasn’t entirely true, of course. It had been her desire to pay her debts and help her son that had encouraged her to concur with Kyle’s terms, yet she’d done so rashly without truly thinking through the potential consequences.
Kyle could be anyone and once she was ensconced at his house, he had almost total control. He might doanything to her there. She rolled her eyes, grateful he couldn’t see her expression. Who was she kidding? A guy like him was not going to be interested in a woman like her. Whatever remained of her virtue was bound to be safe.
“Relax, Amy.” His expression suggested amusement as she glanced his way.
“I’m okay,” she whispered, although she sensed she was trying to persuade herself more than him. Nervous energy twisted inside her, creating painful knots in her tummy. The hurt underpinned just how hasty her actions had been.
“Look at me, please.”
Slowly, she shifted to obey his soft command.
It wasn’t that she didn’twantto look at him—she still couldn’t believe how handsome he truly was. His dark hair was the perfect length, falling casually into his eyes, and demanding he swipe it away to reveal how tight his skin was stretched over his high cheekbones. Kyle was the kind of older guy she might have seen on the cover of a glossy magazine.
The truth was that at this moment, she didn’t know what to say to him. Stevens was still in earshot, and while she was sure he was a decent guy, she didn’t know him, and she didn’t want to spill any more about her life to yet another stranger.
The quiet, though, did nothing to help her as the atmosphere in the backseat grew increasingly oppressive. It was as though they both recognized how important the next couple of hours were, but neither of them wanted to say so. Suddenly, her every fidgety movement was amplified in the sleek confines of the car, and her every breath was audible as the weight of Kyle’s stare seemed to pin her in place.
“Randall, my lawyer, has sent over your contract.” Kyle broke the strained silence, flashing the screen of his phone at her. Glare from the phone pierced the shadows and forced her to look away. “He’s left a printed copy at home, which you’ll be required to sign.”
“Okay,” she squeaked, unsure how or why Kyle’s lawyer would have access to his home.
“We’ll look at that when we first arrive. It’s important to me that you agree to the terms.”
What does that mean?
Was he seriously telling her that if she quibbled a small clause, she’d be back on her own? Disquieting trepidation bubbled in her belly, taunting her irresponsibility.
This is what you get for being a trusting fool.
Her eyes closed briefly as she accepted the recrimination. A little attention from a good-looking guy and she’d rolled over like a puppy.
What would Graham think of me for agreeing to this?Her throat dried.I bet he’d be hurt and disappointed if he knew I was going home with a man I had only just met...
“I’m sure you’ll find the terms favorable.” He slid his phone away. “And as discussed, I’ll ensure you’re well remunerated.”