Chapter 1 - THE THOUSAND DOLLAR BOYFRIEND
Nora Bennett had just hired the most dangerous man in Charleston for a thousand dollars, and she was looking at me as though I were the one who needed reassurance.
"You're sure you can do this?" she asked.
I glanced at the ten hundred-dollar bills between us.
"Smile at your grandmother, pretend we're dating, and survive lunch?"
"That's the general idea."
"Sounds easier than my usual Tuesday."
She frowned.
"What's your usual Tuesday?"
"Negotiating with unreasonable people."
"Perfect. You'll feel right at home."
I laughed.
Then I pushed the money toward her.
"Keep it."
Nora blinked.
"That's not how this works."
"Consider it a complimentary boyfriend trial."
"Mr. Cole—"
"Evan."
She hesitated.
"Evan. I don't want to owe you anything."
Something about that sentence made me look at her more carefully.
Most people who approached me wanted favors.
Money.
Protection.
Access.
Nora Bennett wanted a man to sit beside her at lunch so her family would stop controlling her future.
And she insisted on paying for the inconvenience.
"Then we'll settle the bill afterward," I said.
She considered that.
"Fine."
We spent the next twenty minutes reviewing her checklist.
Favorite color.
Blue.
First date.
A bookstore café on King Street.
Who kissed whom first.
Nobody.
"That's suspicious," I told her.
"Then say you're a gentleman."
I nearly choked on my coffee.
"If only you knew."
She looked at me.
"What?"
"Nothing."
At eleven forty-five, we left the hotel.
My driver opened the door of my black Mercedes.
Nora stopped.
"That's your car?"
"One of them."
"Of course it is."
She slipped into the passenger seat.
Then looked around.
"Please tell me this isn't armored."
I smiled.
She stared.
"Oh, my God. It is."
"Charleston traffic can be hostile."
She laughed.
For some reason, hearing that sound made the morning feel lighter.
As we approached Magnolia House, my phone vibrated.
A message from my security chief, Marcus.
Boss, your lunch reservation is connected to the Harper family. Be careful.
I frowned.
The Harpers?
Miles Harper was an investment executive whose father, Richard Harper, had spent years trying to gain access to my port businesses.
I disliked Richard intensely.
The man smiled too much and asked questions that had no business being asked.
I typed a reply.
Why?
Marcus answered almost immediately.
Miles is finalizing a major financing arrangement with Bennett Events. They expect an announcement today.
I turned toward Nora.
She was adjusting her earrings in the mirror.
"Nora."
"Yes?"
"Does your family business have financial problems?"
Her hand stopped.
"What?"
"Debts? Loans? Unusual investors?"
She looked uncomfortable.
"Why?"
Before I could answer, we arrived at Magnolia House.
The entrance was decorated with white flowers and blue ribbons.
A valet approached.
Nora took a deep breath.
"Ready?"
I smiled.
"Absolutely."
Then she reached for my hand.
The moment our fingers touched, something unexpected moved through me.
Warmth.
Trust.
A ridiculous little spark I hadn't felt in years.
Inside, nearly forty guests had gathered beneath crystal chandeliers.
At the center stood Diane Bennett.
Nora's mother.
Elegant.
Perfectly dressed.
And clearly accustomed to everyone obeying her.
The moment she spotted us, her smile vanished.
"Nora."
"Mom."
Diane's eyes moved toward me.
Then widened.
"Evan Cole?"
I smiled politely.
"Mrs. Bennett."
The room fell silent.
Across the dining room, Miles Harper slowly stood.
His face had gone pale.
Then he looked at Nora and whispered something I wasn't supposed to hear.
May you like
"That wasn't the man you were supposed to bring."
And suddenly, I understood that my fake girlfriend wasn't the only person hiding something.
