Game of Love and Deception: The Billionaire's Ex Wife
Chapter 105: The devil’s bargain

Chapter 105: The devil’s bargain

Lorenzo watched in stunned silence as a black car pulled into the compound. A dirty, brown-haired man in his mid-forties stepped out. Lorenzo instantly recognized him. Boyd Mercer, the city’s sheriff.

What was he doing here? Beads of sweat broke out across his skin as two girls stepped out from both sides of the car. He caught the dangerous smile on Charlotte’s face. The girls looked timid—or maybe they were just playing a part in some cruel game.

"Who are they? What are they doing here?" he demanded as the three drew closer.

Charlotte ignored him and greeted the sheriff. Mercer glanced at Lorenzo in a way that made his heart sink. The girls kept their eyes down, unable to meet Lorenzo’s gaze, as if they were afraid. But why?

The sheriff turned to the darker brown-haired girl. "Do you recognize this young man?"

Without looking at him, she nodded. "It was him," she whispered.

Lorenzo’s eyes widened. He’d never met her before. The second girl also confessed she knew him.

"What are they saying?" Lorenzo asked, his gaze darting between the sheriff and Charlotte.

"You’re going around forcing yourself on innocent girls, right? By the time I’m done with you, you’ll wish you were never born," Mercer said, venom dripping from every word.

"I—I don’t know what you’re talking about. I swear I don’t know these people. This woman is trying to frame me." Lorenzo pointed at Charlotte, who just rolled her eyes.

"You’ll prove that at the station. And with the evidence against you," Mercer scoffed. "Good luck with that."

Before Lorenzo could say more, Mercer grabbed his shirt and started dragging him toward the car. Lorenzo struggled against the grip.

"I’m innocent. I didn’t do any of this. Please, let me go."

"Wait." Charlotte’s voice cut through the air, and Mercer stopped, still holding Lorenzo. He was panting, heart pounding wildly. Thoughts of his mom, Genevieve, and Ashley rushed through his mind. With the sheriff’s power, fabricating evidence against him would be like child’s play.

His whole life was ending before it even began. Oh Lord, how had he become a pawn in the devil’s game? He couldn’t bring himself to imagine the devastation his mom would feel if she even caught a whiff of this. Even if she would never believe her son did it, she’d still feel broken.

Charlotte stepped forward, asking Mercer for a moment alone. He nodded and roughly let Lorenzo go, giving them space. The girls walked past to the car.

Charlotte turned back with a wicked smile. "Who do you think is the liar among us now, sweetheart?"

Dread twisted in his stomach. Every word she spoke promised more doom than the last. She didn’t plan to stop with him. His mom. His sister. Even Ashley. She had bad plans for all of them.

Why was she doing this? Why did she hate him so much she’d go this far just to tear him from Ashley?

His head felt heavy by the time she finished.

When he opened his mouth, the only words that came out were, "What do you want from me?" His voice trembled, and he didn’t bother to hide it.

She knew she had him. He was just a pawn in her game. She had the power, the money, the connections. And all he had were the people she threatened to take away.

Charlotte smiled—a sweet, wicked smile.

"You’re smart. I’m proud of my niece’s taste." She cupped his face and pressed a quick, revolting kiss to his forehead.

Lorenzo’s eyes darkened. Through gritted teeth, he spat, "You’re evil! If anything happens to her, I’ll kill you myself!"

Charlotte’s smile dropped into a scowl as she stepped back.

"I’m about to save your ass from many years in jail, even after what you did. You should be more grateful, boy."

He clenched his jaw. "Tell me what you want from me," he said again, desperate to know if there was still hope for his family.

"Fine, let’s go have a seat," she purred, sashaying back to her chair. She sipped her wine, smiling with slow, deliberate cruelty. A reminder of how powerless he was against her.

He glanced at the sheriff, then followed her.

"What I want is simple, darling," she began on the porch, her voice sickly sweet.

He listened, a growing unease curling in his chest.

"I’m starting to like you," she cooed. "Who can blame me? Your physique is impressive for an eighteen-year-old—those strong chest and arms are quite... appealing."

Disgust twisted Lorenzo’s face. "You’re a psycho," he snapped, stepping back despite the distance already between them.

Charlotte waved him off. "You’re too dramatic for your age. Like I said, you can stay here... keep me company." Her eyes glittered with something dark. "In return, I’ll make sure Ashley stays safe. Along with your family."

Revulsion surged through him. "You mean be your bed warmer?"

She grinned. "That’s one way to put it."

He shook his head, fury rising in his throat. "You’re unbelievable. I could never do that to Ashley."

Charlotte tilted her head, still wearing that smug smile. "I knew you’d refuse my first offer," she said with a dramatic sigh. "So I’ve mercifully provided a second option: take your mother and sister, and run... far, far away." She dragged out the words with relish. "And fast, because you never know when I might get bored and need some... entertainment again."

His breathing turned ragged. "What will happen to Ashley?"

"Oh, that?" She downed the rest of her wine and licked her lips. "She’s my sweet little niece. I’ll forgive her... eventually. Once she’s learned her lesson." She poured another glass, eyes locked on his. "But I must protect her from men like you—men who have nothing to offer her."

Was that what this was about? That he wasn’t rich? He was fucking eighteen.

He watched in horror as she continued to savor her wine, his heart twisting into something sharp. Pain, rage, helplessness—all of it crashing over him.

Everything she asked was impossible. Ashley would hate him forever if he even considered the first option. But leaving her?

That felt even worse.