Chapter 5
CAYDEN
The heavy lock of the suite clicks shut, but it’s not enough to drown out the roar in my head. I grip my phone so hard the casing creaks. Adrenaline surges through me—furious at Alex and terrified by a panic I’m trying to bury under cynicism.
Thirty days. Jade Sterling constantly in my sight. A whole month of her looking at me like I’m dirt under her scuffed heels. And yet, she’s the only person on this planet who knows exactly what I look like without my armor.
I dial the number I’ve known by heart for twenty years.
“Tell me someone died, Cayden. Or that you’re at least arrested,” Griffin Calloway answers. His voice sounds like expensive parchment—smooth and untouchable.
“I wish I were arrested. Then I’d have a right to a lawyer who actually does his job.” I shove the glass door open and step onto the balcony. The wind cuts into me, but I need the cold to put out the fire in my brain.
“Stop whining. What did Alex do?”
“He sold me out. Thirty days of exclusive access for a journalist. She follows me everywhere. Including my private life.”
Silence. Then, a dark laugh. “Thank God. I thought it was something serious. Who’s the victim?”
“It’s not funny, Griffin. It’s Jade Sterling.”
The silence returns. This time, it’s cold. Griffin knows my history.
“Sterling?” he repeats, switching to professional mode. “Your sister’s best friend?”
“Exactly.”
“Ouch.” I hear his leather chair creak. He’s already calculating. “Alex has a real talent for making your life hell. Do you have the contract?”
“Jade just shoved it in my face. Get me out of this, Griff. I don’t want her in my jet, my office, or my zip code.”
“Let me guess,” he interrupts, the sound of typing in the background. “The Royals' legal team approved it without looking? And Miller Investments signed it blind?”
“Alex has power of attorney.”
“Then you’re screwed.”
“Griffin! Find a loophole. Hardship. Tell them I have rabies!”
“Cayden, listen. If Alex signed it, it’s binding.
Kick her out, and they sue for breach of contract right in the middle of the stadium deal.
Do you want the press asking why a billionaire is scared of one journalist?
I can see the headlines: Cayden Miller flees his past. It’ll give Hayes more ammo than a tank. ”
“Daddy! Look what I built!” A child’s voice cuts through. Elijah. I hear LEGOs crashing, then Selena’s warm laugh.
“Elijah, careful. Daddy’s working,” Griffin says, his voice softening. He’s a predator in court, but an anchor at home. “Sorry, Cayden. Elijah built the Empire State Building and Isabell is playing Godzilla.”
I press my fingers to the bridge of my nose. “I need a legal solution, not a look at your family bliss,” I snap.
But a sharp pain hits my chest. I think of Parker. The boy who looked at me yesterday with such fearless curiosity. That look is a hook in my mind.
“My solution: suck it up,” Griffin says, back in lawyer mode. “Be the charming bastard the media loves. Give her enough info to keep her happy, but nothing dangerous. You’ve run over guys twice her size. Why are you shaking over a notepad?”
“Because she doesn't see Cayden Miller, Griff. She sees the boy from Thunder Bay who never won a game. She knows the cracks in the foundation.”
“Then repaint the facade.” Griffin laughs. “Maybe your image needs this. Alex is right—you’ve been acting like a freezer on legs lately. A little human drama looks good on a balance sheet before a billion-dollar deal.”
“Tell Selena to mind her own business,” I growl, but the anger is fading.
“I’ll do that. Listen, I’ll have my team check for loopholes. But don't get your hopes up. Thirty days will pass. And who knows... maybe Jade Sterling is the challenge your ego needs.”
“You’re a terrible friend.”
“And you’re a terrible client. Poker next week? Just don't bring the journalist.”
“I hate you all,” I mutter.
“We hate you too, Champ.”
The line goes dead. I stare at the dark screen. The New York air stings my lungs. A text from Chloe pops up.
Jet ready for 08:00. Miss Sterling and her son are on the manifest.
Reality stares back in black and white. I step back into the heat of the suite and toss the phone onto the couch.
She wants a war? She wants to be my shadow for thirty days and see if I crack? Fine. I’ll turn the tables. I’ll drag her so deep into my world she’ll be the one begging to leave.