The Villainess' Husband For Hire

She retraced her steps from the previous night, scanning each tavern she passed for a familiar face. Her knights trailed discreetly behind her, their presence both reassuring and annoying.

She couldn't afford to draw attention, but she also couldn't venture out entirely alone.

The first tavern yielded no results. Nor did the second. By the time she reached the third, her frustration was mounting. She was tempted to shout his name into the crowd, but that would only invite trouble.

As she stepped into yet another dimly lit establishment, her eyes darted around the room. And then, there he was. Alex sat at the bar, swirling a drink.

He looked just as casual and self-assured as he had the first time she saw him. Relief washed over her, followed quickly by a surge of determination.

"Alex!" she called, her voice a little too loud.

He turned, his green eyes widening slightly in surprise before a smirk tugged at his lips. "You found me," he said, setting his drink down.

Selena marched over, her hood falling back to reveal her silver hair. "You're not easy to track down," she said, ignoring the amused glances of the other patrons.

"I didn't think you'd look for me," he admitted, leaning back on his stool. "What's the occasion?"

She didn't bother with pleasantries. "The ball. I need you there. And we need to coordinate our outfits."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "Coordinate outfits? Is that part of this... 'Boyfriend' arrangement?"

"Yes," Selena said firmly. "If we're going to humiliate the Duke, we need to look the part."

Alex chuckled, clearly entertained by her determination. "You're really set on this, huh?"

Selena crossed her arms. "You accepted the contract, didn't you? Or are you backing out now?"

He shook his head. "I'm not backing out. Just curious about your plan."

Selena hesitated. She hadn't expected him to question her motives. But she supposed it was fair. He was risking his own reputation by associating with her, even if he wasn't a noble.

"My plan is simple," she said finally. "We walk into that ball together, looking better than anyone else there. We make it clear that I've moved on. And when the Duke sees that, it'll drive him mad."

Alex tilted his head, studying her. "And what happens after that? Once the Duke is humiliated?"

Selena faltered. She hadn't thought that far ahead. Her focus had been so singularly on the ball, on that moment of triumph, that she hadn't considered the aftermath.

"I'll deal with that when it comes," she said dismissively. Without hesitation, she grabbed his hand and dragged him out. She put her hood on with the other hand and explained, "We need to get you dressed first."

Selena didn't give Alex a moment to protest. With a firm grip on his arm, she practically shoved him into the carriage waiting outside the tavern. The audacity of her actions left Alex momentarily stunned, though not enough to resist.

He found himself laughing under his breath as he stumbled into the plush seat. This woman, he realised, was unlike anyone he'd ever encountered.

As the carriage began to move, Alex leaned back, his broad frame almost too large for the modest space. He glanced at Selena, who sat across from him with her arms crossed, her expression set in stone.

The dim light of the carriage lanterns cast flickering shadows on her face, accentuating her sharp features. A gentle beauty, she was not. She looked like she was plotting something—or everything. Her sharp features were eyecatching but also would make one think twice before approaching her.

The silence between them was palpable. Selena seemed lost in her thoughts, her gaze fixed on the window as the city blurred past. Alex, on the other hand, was keenly aware of her presence.

He wasn't sure if it was the lingering effects of the drinks or something else entirely, but his gaze kept drifting back to her. She sat with an air of quiet determination, her silver hair catching the faint glow of the streetlights outside.

Her expression was unreadable, a mask of cool indifference, yet there was a fire in her eyes that he couldn't quite look away from.

What is it about her? He wondered.

He leaned his head against the window, hoping the cool glass might sober him up. His cheeks felt warm, and he wasn't entirely sure if it was the alcohol coursing through his veins or the enigmatic woman sitting just feet away.

She was nothing like the noblewomen he had dealt with in the past—those simpering ladies who hid their agendas behind sweet smiles. Selena Whitlock was bold, brash, and unapologetically herself. It was... Refreshing, if not a little intimidating.

Still, Alex couldn't shake the feeling that she was carrying more weight on her shoulders than she let on.

Her fiery defiance and sharp tongue were likely her armour, a way to shield herself from the cold, calculating world of high society. He wondered what lay beneath that armour, what she was fighting so hard to protect—or prove.