Chapter 1 The Set-Up

"Good evening," Nicole Abrams said, forcing her voice to stay steady as she approached the receptionist at the Monarch Hotel's sleek, gleaming front desk. "I have an appointment with Mr. Martins Grant."

The receptionist didn't bother hiding her curious smirk as she sized Nicole up, then typed briskly into her computer. "Ah, yes. He's expecting you. Take the elevator to the fifth floor. When you exit, turn right, and it's the second door on your left."

Nicole nodded, thanked her, and headed toward the elevator, feeling her pulse quicken. This whole meeting had come out of nowhere, courtesy of her mother-in-law, Veronica Fury.

Veronica had never been subtle about her dislike of Nicole and had questioned her motives ever since she'd married into the Fury family.

So, when Veronica called her this morning, proposing that Nicole handle a "small favor for the family business" to gain her approval, Nicole had agreed without hesitation. She wanted nothing more than to ease the tension between them and, hopefully, strengthen her rocky marriage to Taylor.

Still, as she stepped into the empty elevator and watched the numbers light up toward the fifth floor, Nicole couldn't shake the unease prickling at the edges of her mind.

Her phone buzzed in her bag, interrupting her thoughts. She fished it out and saw Sarah Austin, her best friend's name, flashing on the screen. Nicole answered, pressing the phone to her ear.

"Nicole, are you sure about this?" Sarah's voice was laced with worry.

Nicole swallowed, managing a smile despite the odd feeling churning in her stomach. "I'm already here, Sarah. I know it's strange, but if it helps me make things right with Veronica, it's worth it. She made it sound like all I had to do was get a signature from Mr. Grant. She said it was routine-something important to the family."

"Just... be careful, okay?" Sarah said, a little more firmly this time. "You know how Veronica is. I'd hate for you to get dragged into anything messy."

Nicole tried to shake off the nerves as the elevator doors opened on the fifth floor. "Don't worry, it'll be fine. I'll call you after, okay?"

"Fine. But keep your guard up."

Ending the call, Nicole took a steadying breath as she stepped out of the elevator, glancing down the carpeted hallway. Her heels echoed softly as she walked toward room 215, the faint scent of expensive cologne lingering in the air. Just a quick meeting, she reminded herself. Get the signature, then go.

When she reached the door, she pressed the bell and clasped her hands in front of her to keep them from trembling. She heard footsteps, then the door swung open. Nicole's breath hitched as she took in the man standing before her-Martins Grant, apparently, and he was barely dressed, wearing only a pair of gray jogging pants that hung low on his hips.

"Mrs. Fury?" he asked, flashing a slow, almost mocking smile.

"Yes. Nicole Abrams, actually," she said quickly, keeping her gaze firmly on his face. "Mr. Grant?"

"At your service," he said smoothly, stepping aside to let her in.

Nicole moved past him into the plush, dimly lit suite, glancing briefly around at the lavish furnishings. She took a seat on the couch, her fingers tightening around the bag that held the documents. "I was asked to bring these for you to sign," she said, pulling out the folder. "Veronica mentioned you're familiar with the contents?"

Martins took the folder and flipped through the papers, a smirk playing at his lips. "Oh, I'm aware," he replied, barely glancing at the document as he strolled over to a small bar in the corner.

"Can I offer you a drink?" he asked, lifting a bottle of champagne.

"No, thank you," Nicole replied, her tone clipped. She just wanted to get this over with and leave. The room felt oppressive, and she couldn't shake the strange sense that she was being watched.

Martins poured himself a glass anyway, taking a slow sip as he studied her. Nicole shifted, glancing at the clock on the wall, and then back at Martins. What's taking him so long?

Just as she was about to ask if he'd signed yet, the door burst open. Nicole jumped as Taylor, her husband, strode into the room. His eyes locked on her, his expression cold and furious, and she stood, a relieved smile breaking across her face.

"Taylor! Thank goodness you're here. This meeting felt-"

But he held up a hand, stopping her mid-sentence. "So, this is what you've been up to behind my back?" His voice was low and dangerous.

Nicole froze, the words catching in her throat. "What? No, it's not what you think. I was only here because Veronica asked me to bring these documents-"

"Oh, don't even try it," said a voice from behind Taylor, laced with disdain. Veronica Fury entered the suite, her eyes glinting with satisfaction as she took in Nicole's stunned expression. "Save your excuses, Nicole. We have all the proof we need that you've been conspiring with this man to steal from our family."

Nicole's world spun as the accusation hit her. "Veronica, that's not true! I don't even know him-I came here because you asked me to."

Veronica laughed, a cold, mocking sound. "You really think you can fool me? I know exactly why you're here."

"Enough," Taylor snapped, taking the folder from Martins's hands. He flipped through the documents, his expression growing darker with each page. When he finally looked up at her, his eyes were filled with something far colder than anger-contempt.

"I thought you were different," he said, his voice dripping with disappointment. "But I see I was wrong."

Nicole's heart felt like it was being torn in half. "Please, Taylor, you have to believe me. I don't know what's happening here, but I promise I would never do anything to betray you. Veronica asked me to come here to get these documents signed-"

"Stop lying," Taylor spat, his voice hard and unyielding. "You've done enough damage."

Nicole's chest tightened as she searched his face, desperately looking for any sign of doubt. "I'm telling the truth. Why would I lie?"

Veronica stepped forward, her expression full of mock pity. "Nicole, it's over. We have all the evidence we need to send you to prison for embezzling from the Fury family. Taylor deserves better than a traitor for a wife."

Nicole stumbled back, feeling as though the floor had dropped out from beneath her. "You... you set me up."

A knock on the suite door cut through the tension, and Nicole turned as two police officers entered, their expressions unreadable.

Nicole's hands shook as one of the officers gently but firmly placed her wrists in the cold metal cuffs. She turned, looking at Taylor, pleading silently for him to intervene. But he just stared back, his face a mask of stone.

"You're not really going to let them arrest me, are you?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

One stepped toward her and held out a pair of handcuffs.

"Nicole Abrams, you're under arrest for conspiracy to commit fraud and embezzlement."