The Devil's Invitation

Evelyn had barely stepped out of her office when her phone buzzed. A message.

Adrian Westwood: Dinner. 8 PM. Wear something nice.

Her lips curled into a smirk. Oh?

She typed back.

Evelyn Sinclair: Ordering me around now?

Three dots appeared, then disappeared. Then:

Adrian Westwood: Just a suggestion. But if you want to look like a mess in front of the city’s top CEOs, be my guest.

Evelyn narrowed her eyes. What was he up to?

She called him. "Are you setting me up for something, Westwood?"

His chuckle was low, teasing. "Paranoid much?"

"With you? Always."

A pause. Then, "It’s a business dinner. But Moreau will be there."

Ah. There it was.

Adrian continued, his voice a little softer now. "I don’t trust him, Evelyn. I need you to be careful."

She tapped her fingers against her desk. "And you thought taking me to dinner was the best way to keep an eye on me?"

"That, and I want you there," he admitted.

She blinked. Oh.

Evelyn wasn’t sure how to respond to that. But she knew one thing—Adrian Westwood never said anything without a reason.

"Fine," she said. "Pick me up at 7:30."

"Good choice, Sinclair."

She could hear the smirk in his voice before the call ended.

---

At exactly 7:30, a sleek black car pulled up in front of her building.

Evelyn stepped outside, dressed in a black off-shoulder dress that hugged her in all the right places. A silver chain rested against her collarbone, catching the dim evening light.

Adrian leaned against the car, looking her over. And for the first time, he didn’t hide it.

His eyes darkened slightly as they traveled down her figure before snapping back to her face. "You clean up nice, Sinclair."

She smirked. "You don’t look too bad yourself, Westwood."

He opened the door for her, and as she slid into the seat, she caught the way his fingers brushed lightly against her back. Intentional? Maybe.

The drive was quiet—too quiet. But the tension? Thick.

"So," Evelyn finally said, breaking the silence. "What’s the real reason you invited me tonight?"

Adrian tapped his fingers against the steering wheel. "Moreau’s been watching you too closely. I need him to know you’re not alone in this."

Her heart did something stupid. "And you think showing up together will send that message?"

Adrian glanced at her. "It’s a start."

She bit the inside of her cheek, forcing down the warmth that spread through her chest.

"You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?" she teased.

Adrian smirked. "Immensely."

Damn him.

---

Author’s Note

"And that’s Chapter 10!

Adrian isn’t even pretending anymore, and Evelyn? Let’s just say this is only the beginning. 😏

Coming next: A dinner that isn’t just about business, Moreau stirring the pot, and Adrian definitely not liking the way Moreau looks at Evelyn.

- Spicy Noodles (Serving tension hotter than a Mafia deal gone wrong.)

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