POV: Darius
The rain today wasn't as heavy as the day before. By the time our car turned into the street, it had almost stopped.
The windshield wipers moved slowly, clearing the drops from the glass as the driver guided the black SUV through the quiet neighborhood. Not too fancy. Not too poor. Just average.
I sat in the backseat with a file open on my lap. My fingers turned the pages one after the other—Regina Reed. Adriana Reed. Two daughters. Two very different personalities.
One of them would be my payment.
Caleb sat beside me, arms folded. He looked from the window, then at me.
"Have you decided what you'll do with the one you choose?" he asked in a low voice.
I didn't look up.
"Not yet. I'll decide after I speak with them."
He nodded and said nothing more.
A few minutes later, the driver pulled into a driveway. The Reed house sat quietly in the soft rain. Modest, with a crack on the front step. A porch light flickered above the door.
Victor Reed was already waiting. He opened the door before we even knocked.
"Mr. Wolfe! Please, come in," he said quickly, stepping aside.
I entered first. Caleb followed behind me.
The living room was small but clean. Old floral couches, a few framed photos on the wall. Dim lighting. The place smelled like lemon.
Victor gestured to the couch. "Please, have a seat. I'll introduce my family."
He cleared his throat just as his wife and daughters walked in.
"This is my wife, Marianne. My daughters, Regina and Adriana. Everyone, this is Mr. Darius Wolfe."
Regina practically jumped forward with a big, fake smile. She wore a short, tight red dress and heels too high for someone at home.
"Oh my God, I can't believe this," she gushed. "Darius Wolfe is in our house."
Then she turned to her father and whispered loud enough for all of us to hear, "Dad, if I knew someone so important was coming, I'd have worn something better."
Her mother, Marianne, didn't smile. Not even a little.
Her eyes were cold. Ice cold.
"What do you want, Mr. Wolfe?" she asked.
I looked at Victor before answering.
"I came to collect payment from your husband. He owes me."
Marianne's expression didn't change. "Owes you? What exactly does he owe?"
"He owes me a lot of money," I said simply. "Since he couldn't pay, he offered me one of your daughters instead. But I decided to speak to both before I make my choice."
She turned to Victor with a look that could kill.
"I'll deal with you later," she said, voice tight.
Then she looked back at me. "How much are we talking about?"
"He owes up to six figures."
She muttered something under her breath. Probably called him a bastard.
While all this was happening, I noticed one thing—Adriana hadn't said a single word.
She sat quietly in a corner of the room, wearing a hoodie two sizes too big and black pants. With her head down, her hands fidgeting. It felt like she was trying to disappear.
I watched her for a moment. Was she always this quiet? Or was she hiding something?
Victor cleared his throat. "We can use the room down the hall for the interviews. It's empty."
I stood. "I'll start with your eldest daughter."
Regina's smile widened. She adjusted her dress and walked ahead of me, swaying her hips like she was walking down a runway.
Once inside the room, I motioned for her to sit on the only chair. I stayed standing, leaning against the wall.
"So, who—" I started.
But she cut me off.
"You should choose me," she said confidently. "I'm the better choice. I've got the looks, the body, the attitude. I'd be perfect for you. I could be your trophy wife."
I raised an eyebrow. "That's all."
She blinked. "What? You're done already?"
"Yes. You've told me everything I need to know."
She looked surprised but stood, tossed her hair over her shoulder, and walked out.
I turned to Caleb, who had been standing at the door.
"Send Adriana in."
A few seconds later, Adriana walked in. She stood by the door.
"Sit down," I said.
She sat, her hands in her lap, shoulders slightly hunched.
I waited, expecting her to start talking like her sister did.
She didn't.
"Are you scared?" I asked.
"No, I'm not," she replied quietly.
"Then why haven't you looked at me since you walked in?"
She paused. Then slowly looked up, meeting my eyes.
"Sorry. It's just… you were staring at me in the living room. It made me uncomfortable."
I smirked. So she noticed.
"Who do you think I should choose? You or your sister?"
She blinked, clearly caught off guard.
"Regina, obviously," she said quickly. "She fits this kind of life. She fits with someone like you."
"And you? Why don't you think you're a fit?"
She looked down.
"It's obvious."
The way she said it... like it was a fact she'd carried her whole life. Like someone had drilled it into her since she could talk.
Something moved in my chest. Not pity. Something else. Protective instinct? I wasn't sure.
"That's all. Tell your mother to come in, please."
She left. Marianne entered moments later and sat across from me.
"What exactly do you plan to do with the one you choose?" she asked, locking eyes with me.
"I plan to marry her. That's why I asked you to come in. I've made my decision."
She stared hard. Like she was trying to read my soul.
"I love my daughters," she said. "They've been through hell because of that man out there. If you hurt the one you pick—even once—you'll have me to deal with. And I don't make empty threats."
Then she stood and walked out.
Damn. She was scary.
I followed her back to the living room.
"I've made my decision," I announced.
Regina stood up instantly, fixing her dress, tossing her hair, acting like the obvious winner.
"Adriana."
Silence.
Regina froze. Her smile vanished.
Adriana looked like she couldn't breathe.
I turned to Victor.
"The contract will be sent tomorrow."
Then I looked back at Adriana.
"You have two weeks to get ready. After that… you'll be mine."
And with that, I walked out the door—knowing all hell was about to break loose in the Reed house.