For Better, For Worse: The Serpent's Contract Wife

[Music: Tall Glass Of Cyanide By Adam Jensen]

ZADE

"We’re certain that with these numbers, we can proceed with expansion..."

I tuned out the voice, simply watching as the demonstration unfolded. A massive 98-inch display dominated the wall at the head of the room, illuminating the boardroom with market analyses.

I should probably stay focused, but unfortunately the rest of the meeting was nonexistent to me. Ever since I sat down for this, I didn’t give two shits about stocks or numbers.

Meetings like this have always been tense. A lot of hours were put into convincing me and also debating what next step to take, but at the end of the day the decision rested on my final verdict.

I passed a slow look around everyone seated, eyes focused on the screen with immense concentration.

Getting fed up with this already, I lowered my gaze to my phone in my hands beneath the table and swiped through the empty chat, a name at the top.

Kitten.

I’ve been at this for the last two days, debating if I should text her or not. I rarely did that type of shit.

I could easily throw off a few words to get her attention. I knew her buttons like the back of my hand, but this time was different.

A lot of things had been unfolding recently, too rapid for my liking.

For the last two years up till now, I had to deal with the fact that she may never recover her memory. I had made my peace with that even though it took a hell ton of accepting.

I had to watch my own fucking woman from afar until I had no other option but to bring her back into my life. Though before that, I had planned ways of how I would do that.

Starting with Lisa Wade.

I made her my secretary approximately one year ago. I had to endure her advances, but she was perfect to implement my plan. She was the piece I needed to stir Anastasia’s deep-seated affections for me.

I knew Anastasia’s hate would be a problem given the role of the villain I had taken in her life. Lisa Wade was meant to awaken her desires for me.

However, I didn’t anticipate Lisa would try to harm her. She paid the price for that.

Next, I drowned Anastasia’s father in debt.

Can’t blame me; the man was ready to toss his money on anything, and I helped him do just that. He didn’t care about the consequences, neglecting his quarter too and resulting in a lot of damage.

Knowing how greedy he was, he’d end up selling his daughter to me for any price. Currently, he was drowned in yet another debt, and I was anticipating the inevitable.

My plan from the start was to isolate Anastasia so I could weave myself into every part of her life, and I made sure every endpoint led back to me.

I got what I wanted, but I didn’t predict her memories would resurface like this. Dr. Keller was right. I wasn’t just part of her past... I was at the center of the memories she’d buried the deepest.

"Mr. Salvero, what do you think?"

The voice pulled my attention, and slowly I dragged my gaze to the whole board, who had their eyes on me, patiently waiting for my input.

This was hours of presentation, and I didn’t follow a fucking thing.

The silence stretched, and my annoyance grew instead, so I lowered my gaze back to my phone.

Elliot cleared his throat. "I’m sure we can work with it, and my brother understands everything. We’ll both look through the rest and do some follow-ups."

"That would be excellent. We hope for feedback soon."

"Certainly. I wouldn’t want to prolong this anyway. Once again, a wonderful presentation."

"Thank you."

They pushed to their feet, and Elliot shook hands with them as they left. When the last one walked out the door, he closed the glass door, standing there for a moment.

I examined him as he brought out his handkerchief to wipe his hands.

"That went exceedingly well," he began, pocketing the white cloth and striding to where I was seated.

"I say we take the project. Sounds like a good deal worth millions. What do you think?"

"It’s not gonna make the cut," I said. "But of course you knew this."

"So you were listening after all. And here I thought you weren’t."

"You underestimate me, little brother. My attention may be divided, but I know what my company needs."

"Your company?" he asked in a shifty tone.

I grinned. "Were you expecting me to say our company?"

He cleared his throat. "Not at all."

I tilted my head. "But you did, didn’t you? It’s alright; you have always played your part well. You deserve the credit. I might consider it."

"I may have played my part, but you’re the company; it wouldn’t have gone this far if it weren’t for you."

"Exactly." I looked at the display, frowning slightly.

It was just as I said. I can’t believe I sat all these hours for a project doomed to fail. Ridiculous.

"Go on..." I urged, distractedly. Narrowing down the errors with my eyes.

"What?" Elliot asked.

"Scold me." I flicked my eyes to him. "You look like you’re dying to do that. I’ll allow it."

He caved. "First, you took a piece of twenty-plus men who’ve been to Candy’s. Now you’re mentally checking out in the middle of this? You’re going nuclear."

"I already told you it won’t make the cut, there’s your answer. What’s nuclear about that?"

"Yes, you did give an answer," he said, briefly looking at the LED display. "An accurate one. However, I’m concerned your employees will think you’re uninterested and that you’re delivering your verdict without a second thought. They don’t understand how your mind works; all the more reason for you to act interested."

"Do you?" I questioned, holding his gaze. "Know how my mind works?"

"You want honesty?"

I smirked. "Always, little brother."