The Royal Contract

"Get dressed." He commanded as he strode into the room. 

He went straight to the cabinet to pick a dress for her. He wanted her to look extra beautiful tonight. He had to impress their company.

"Why?" She stretched in the bed. It was past dinner, so a date was out of the question.

She wondered what he was planning for tonight. From the way, he was acting. She could guess that he was entertaining some guests, a client or investors perhaps. He needed eye candy.

"We are meeting an important client." He grabbed a dress, inspected it, returning it as he chose another one. "Can I expect you to act in your best behavior?" 

He still had some doubts about her loyalty, finding it hard to trust her again.

"Of course, I will, Nick," Cassie assured him.

It was her chance to get out again in the confine of his house. Since he discovered that she planned to run away, he had kept her in captivity.

He insisted that she was not a prisoner, but he was only punishing her for disobeying his orders.

He finally picked one new dress he particularly liked for her to wear."Wear this. Hurry up. I'll wait for you outside." He dropped it on the bed before he left her to prepare herself.

"Ok. I'll see you outside in a bit." Cassie grabbed the dress and turned to the mirror.

She knew that she had to cooperate with him until she could plan for her escape. Now that she could get out again, it would be easier to slip away from him without him knowing. All she needed was the proper timing.

He could not catch her lying because if he did, it could mean losing her life. Nick would not hesitate to proceed with his threat.

After an hour, they were seated in a private booth in a club, waiting for Nick's guests. 

"So, who are we meeting today?" She asked as she looked around the dimly lit place.

She had been used to this kind of scene. She could handle situations like this even with her eyes closed.

"You'll see. But in the meantime, I want to know if you are still part of this team." Nick asked suspiciously.

"I know I made a mistake when I thought that it would be best for us if we will part ways. But now, I realized that you are right." Cassie tried to convince him.

"I am glad that you finally came to your senses. I will hate to lose you. We are perfect for each other." He traced his hand on her cheeks, allowing his fingers to slide down on her arms.

It was both a way to charm her, at the same time, a warning to heed his words, meaning double-crossing him would not end well for him.

Before she could answer him again, Cassie saw a familiar face as he walked towards their table. Like the first time she saw him, he walked with so much arrogance. The crowd could not ignore his presence.

"Well, it is nice to see you again, Cassie. I thought that you bolt out based on the rumors." The newcomer stated as he sat next to them with a wide grin on his face.

He could not help but poke on Nick's affairs. On a personal level, he did not care if he broke up with Cassie. But business-wise, he had learned that Cassie had a significant role in their plans.

If something happened with Cassie, like disappeared, it would affect their plans against Ethan. Although he had no direct issue with Ethan, his connection with Alex was what he counted on, especially now that Alex was doing his bidding.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Edward. But I am still here." She replied to the prince. 

She never did like the man. He might exude elegance and sophistication on the outside. But his attitude and his looks had always given her the creeps.

If she found Nick abhorring, she could swear that Edward was twice more, even though she had barely known him. She could tell that he was capable of more wickedness than Nick. She would never dare to get involved with him.

"On the contrary, I am happy to see you." Edward touched her hand, reached for her drink, took it, and placed it on his lips. But Cassie quickly pulled her hand away as if his kiss scorched her skin.

He believed Nick knew how to pick his woman. First, Dani and then this beautiful, alluring woman that sat beside him. He wondered what she had to offer to make a man like Nick go nuts over her.

Edward believed the rumors that Cassie was able to play Nick in the palm of her hands. He could sense it in the several times he had the experience of their company.

"So, what do you want now?" Nick asked irritatedly. He did not like the way Edward was staring at her girl. He did not appreciate how his hand and lips lingered more than necessary on her hand.

But he also did not enjoy being summoned as if Edward owned him, and he planned to tell him that. If there was anyone in control of this partnership, it was him.

"I want us to proceed with the plan. My people are starting to get anxious. They want to see results." Edward stated without batting an eyelash as he stared into the face of Cassie.

"But we are not ready," Nick said, not wanting to rush the new idea they had come up to make Ethan and Alex go down. 

Besides, he still had to extract from Cassie the files he needed as additional ammunition against their enemies. He suddenly regretted not convincing Cassie to give up the files sooner.

Cassie listened to the two discuss their plans, embedding in her mind their conversation. She could still use the additional information they were feeding her.

But as she continued to listen, the need to escape had become more imminent. She could feel that Nick would soon demand the files that she did not have anymore.

"It is not an excuse anymore. I have given you enough time." Edward said with a tone that meant he was serious. 

"Then, let me see what I can do." Nick still felt that the plan was not solid enough, but if he could take the evidence that was in Cassie's possession, then maybe it would work.. They could finally take down the king and the apprentice.