Chapter 4 The Brother Who Played With Fire

Selina met Dax St. James in the most dangerous place possible: a public café.

It was the kind of artsy Parisian hideout that wore its pretentiousness like cologne. Dim lighting, overpriced espresso, and enough jazz to drown out secrets. She chose the booth furthest from the windows and arrived ten minutes early. She wasn't sure if she wanted to be brave or cowardly, but either way-she wanted control.

Dax arrived fashionably late and looking like sin dressed in vintage leather.

He slid into the booth with a crooked grin. "God, you're glowing."

She scoffed. "That's morning sickness."

He laughed softly. "You're different now."

"You're the same," she snapped. "Still acting like the world owes you attention."

"And yet, here we are," he said, voice low. "You answered."

She folded her arms. "Say what you need to say, Dax."

He leaned in, suddenly serious. "I want the truth. Did you come to Monaco for me?"

She hesitated.

"I came for the chance," she said quietly. "And you were... part of it."

Dax nodded slowly, like a man taking a hit he knew he deserved.

"I don't know if I'm the father," he said. "But if there's even a chance-"

"There is," she whispered. "A real one."

He swallowed hard. "Then I want in."

Selina looked away. "Your brother already offered me a deal."

"Of course he did," Dax muttered. "That man would draft a contract before cutting a birthday cake."

She gave him a look. "At least he's trying to take responsibility."

He leaned back. "He's trying to take control. There's a difference."

"Which are you trying to do?"

"I'm trying to stop him from using you."

Her breath hitched. "You think he's using me?"

"I know Darian," Dax said. "And he doesn't play fair. If you think he's doing this for the baby, you don't know him at all."

Selina stared at her hands, suddenly unsure of everything.

Then Dax reached into his pocket and slid something across the table.

A tiny blue velvet box.

She froze.

"This isn't a proposal," he said quickly. "It's a... symbol. If the baby's mine, I want you to wear it."

Inside was a pendant. A small, diamond-encrusted sapphire eye.

She frowned. "What is it?"

"An old St. James family emblem," he said. "It means: 'Only the truth sees all.'"

Selina touched it with trembling fingers. "You're trying to mark your territory."

He smirked. "Maybe. Or maybe I'm the only one trying to protect you without a contract."

Their eyes locked for a long moment.

But before she could respond, a flash outside the window made her flinch.

A camera.

Another.

Dax stood in a flash, cursing. "Darian must've had you followed."

"No," Selina whispered, heart racing. "Someone did."

They ducked out the back door into an alleyway.

But as they ran, Selina glanced over her shoulder-and saw a woman across the street holding a phone to her ear.

And smiling.

In a penthouse in New York, a woman's voice purred over the phone.

"Yes. She's meeting with both of them now."

A pause.

"Yes... I have the photos. And the pregnancy test. Everything we need to burn them down."

She hung up and smiled at the framed photo beside her desk.

A photo of the St. James twins.

And a third woman beside them.

One who used to share their last name.