CAMILLE

I glanced towards my brother. He was wiping his hands on a towel behind the counter when our eyes met. His brows drew together, sensing something.

He walked up to me. “Camille, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” I straightened my spine, hiding the tremble in my gut.

“It’s past six. Why are you heading home now?” he asked, lowering his voice.

“I just need to.”

“Pack your stuff and meet me outside. Drane will lock up.”

Just then, one of the staff rushed over. “Ma’am, Mr. Green is calling. He wants to speak with you.”

I shook my head. “Don’t pick it. Just make sure the new stock is arranged. I’m done for today.”

My brother and I left together. He slid into the driver’s seat and decided to play the big guy today. I didn’t mind. I was used to taking care of everything, including him.

He might be grown now, but he’s still that stubborn boy I raised after our father died. Our mother…she bailed out. She drank, smoked, and partied with strangers. And no matter what we did, she wouldn’t let us help her.

We all live under one roof. I’m the breadwinner. The one who worked, fed, and kept us together.

“What are you thinking about?” Liam’s voice brought me back.

I smiled weakly. “You.”

“Well, I’ve been innocent for a week now. No drama. No crime. I’m practically a saint.”

“Saint my foot,” I scoffed.

But the laughter died in my throat when I saw them.

A line of bikes, parked outside our house. The engines were still warm. Men dressed in black leather leaned against them like they owned the world.

“No…” I whispered. “No, no, no…”

“What the hell?” Liam choked. “Why are they here?”

He knew. We both knew. These weren’t regular bikers.

They were Black Fangs MC.

Owned by Mr. Gregor. The devil in leather.

Cold-blooded. Ruthless. A killer with no remorse. If they were here, it was already too late.

“Liam, tell me you didn’t mess with them.”

“I swear, I didn’t…” He shook his head, eyes wide.

“Don’t say another word. Just follow me.”

We rushed inside. The air felt like poison. My heart thundered as I passed a hallway packed with tattooed men. Their eyes–dead and hungry.

We got to the living room, and my stomach dropped.

My mom was on her knees. And in front of her–Gregor himself, sitting like a king on my couch.

“Well, well. You showed up just in time,” he said with a grin that made my blood freeze.

“What did she do?” I asked, skipping all formalities.

“She owes me twenty grand. Six months overdue.” His voice cracked like a whip.

I staggered. “Twenty what?!”

“It was for your father…” my mom whispered, but Gregor growled, then kicked her leg, hard. “I don’t want your pathetic excuses. I want my money!”

Tears blurred my eyes. I wanted to scream at her, hit something…but not now. Not here. Not in front of him.

Twenty grand? We would return to square zero if I paid it; they would have no means of survival.

Oh, no!

“How much time do we have?” I asked, my voice hoarse.

“There’s no time. You’ve got two options.” He stood up slowly. “I will kill her now… or take your brother.”

“No,” Liam gasped, “I’ll go. Camille, I’ll go.”

“No, shut up!” I shouted, holding onto him. “You can’t!”

He was shaking now, but not as much as I was. I had to fix this. I had to think. I'm the eldest.

What could I offer a man like Gregor?

He signaled to one of his men who pulled out a gun. I panicked.

“No! Please! Take me instead!”

He sneered. “You? You don’t have anything I want.”

“I’ll do anything.” I dropped to my knees beside my mom. “Please.”

One of the bikers started walking toward me to drag me away. And without thinking…

“I’ll marry your son!”

The room went still.

Gregor raised his hand to stop him. “What did you just say?”

I swallowed. “I’ll marry your son. Is that offer good enough for my family’s life?”

A cruel smile stretched across his face. “Now that’s interesting…”

He took a step closer, eyes gleaming with amusement. “You’re brave. You might actually survive him.”

Gregor’s son. Klaus.

The monster. The emotionless, heartless, broken beast who lives in shadows.

He’d killed a girl once…with sex. She died under him. That’s how dangerous he was. Everyone in the underworld whispers about Klaus in fear.

Gregor learned,” Now, prepare your wedding in two weeks,” he stopped on his track,” Not only that. Bring back his humanity within two years of your marriage. If you fail, I will annul your marriage. Kill your mother and take away your brother.”

“Deal?!” He yelled at my face.

“De…al” I stammered, my voice shaking.

“Start preparing, my in-law,” he kicked my mom once again as he left the living room completely.

His members followed him.

I sat on the marble floor suddenly, it was as if life was drained out of me completely.

Silence settled like smoke.

Then sobbing. My mom curled up in a ball, crying. Liam clung to me. I could barely breathe.

“Why would you do this without telling us?” Liam cried.

“I thought… I thought your dad… would make it if I had the money,” Mom sobbed.

Too late.

I stood up, whispering, “It’s done. It’s over.”

But it wasn’t.

Liam gripped my arm, panic in his voice. “Klaus will kill you if he even sees you. Sis, let me go instead…Please.”

I shook my head. “No. You and Mom stay alive. That’s all I want.”

My hands trembled, my lips dry.

I’ve made a deal with the devil.

No way out. No mercy. No turning back.

And the worst?

I have two years to tame a monster.