Rise To Power: Death To My Billionaire Husband-Chapter 17: Made A Deal With The Devil

Lord Ravenswood paused, steepling his fingers, he said, "But I must say... I’m intrigued, Ms. White. What could your cousin and... husband have done to warrant such scrutiny?"

He was curious. No, thrilled and the gleam in his eyes didn’t escape Anita. That sick excitement of his made the knot in her stomach twist tighter.

"It doesn’t matter now, does it?" she said coolly, one brow arching, despite herself.

In the past, he never asked and she never had to justify herself. With him, everything was transactional: she named her target, he delivered the dirt, and she paid the price. No questions asked.

So why was he digging now?

Lord Ravenswood’s eyes glinted with amusement, and a chuckle rumbled in his throat. "Ah, but that’s where you’re wrong, Ms. White. This time, it does matter. You see, I’ve had... dealings with your cousin. Donald White is a man full of secrets. I’m curious which one finally earned your wrath."

Anita exhaled slowly. It didn’t surprise her. Who in the White family wasn’t neck-deep in unsavory things? Her own father was no different.

Seeing her lost in thought, Lord Ravenswood leaned back into his chair with a predator’s ease. "Your family is a powerhouse. Its influence cannot be underestimated and it has its tentacles everywhere...even beyond this city’s filth. Donald, in particular, has been stirring the pot. His ventures have attracted some very protective... allies. Men who’d gladly die for him."

He paused, letting that sink in.

"And your husband..." he added, voice trailing into a suggestive hum. "Well, he’s a little too clean...and unusual."

Anita’s gaze snapped back to him, eyes sharp. What was he talking about? There was something about the way he said it that unsettled Anita. "What do you mean?"

His lips stretched into a knowing smile, but didn’t reply. Instead, he sipped from his drink and ignored her question. "So, you see," he continued, "the men you want me to dig into... they’re not just high-risk. They’re possibly untouchable."

Anita’s stomach dropped. If even he, one of Greenville’s most feared underworld bosses, considered them untouchable, then she had seriously underestimated her opponents.

Still, she couldn’t afford to flinch. Her jaw tightened. Her voice, when it came, was a quiet steel. "I’m willing to take the risk."

Lord Ravenswood’s eyes narrowed, studying her. The amusement on his face faded, replaced by something darker. "I see," he said, slowly. "You’re gambling with fire, Ms. White."

Silence.

No one spoke for a while. Then a soft chuckle escaped his lips. "Very well. I’ll play this game. But in return..." he paused, gauging her reaction, but as usual, her face was blank. Leaning forward, he resumed in a whispering voice. "...money is a useless offer for this level of risk. This is an SSS mission, Anita. My men’s lives aren’t guaranteed."

Anita’s fingers dug into her thigh. Just how serious was this case? Or was he playing her? Her gaze narrowed as she silently scrutinized him. But the predator’s look in his eyes made her heart skip a beat.

She knew it. Coming here was a mistake. She’d hoped he’d still operate like before –clean, distant, transactional – With no strings attached.

But she was wrong. He’d changed. Or maybe he never had.

"What do you want?" she asked, her voice tight.

He leaned back with an exaggerated sigh, the shadows clinging to his face. "Don’t be like that. I’m not asking for your life." He chucked again.

Then, suddenly, the smile disappeared as a rare seriousness settled on his features.

"I want something more valuable than money," he said, his voice low. His gaze met hers and they locked eyes for an uncomfortably long period of time. "I want a piece of you."

Anita recoiled, her spine stiffening. "What do you–" but before she could finish, he cut her off.

"Perhaps, a favor. A promise. A bond that can’t be broken...?" He seemed to have numbers he couldn’t choose from. Tilting his head, he sighed with resignation. "You’ll owe me, Ms. White. And I’ll collect... when the time is right."

The room went still.

Anita’s mind raced. She knew what he meant. She knew the cost of owing a man like him. There was no escape once he had his hook in you.

He’s like a loan shark. Only that Lord Maverick Ravenswood is worse – He is the kind of man who doesn’t count on interests or deadlines. He slithers into your life like a devil and tightens a rope of overwhelming debt around your neck when you least expect it.

Anita swallowed hard. The air felt heavier now, like it knew a pact had been proposed – one she couldn’t afford, yet couldn’t refuse.

Or maybe she could do nothing and let David and his family continue to tighten their grip around her neck until she dies like a coward and they shed crocodile tears on her grave...?

No.

Anita couldn’t see herself letting those people win. The dead don’t speak and certainly can’t seek revenge.

She drew in a breath, exhaled, and spoke before fear could steal the word back. "Deal."

It was just one word, but it felt like an earthquake.

Lord Ravenswood grinned like a predator who’d just watched his trap snap shut around a prey. "Excellent," he purred, lifting his glass in a mock toast. "I’ll have my people gather what you need. But remember, Ms. White... patience is a virtue. Especially when you’re dancing with devils."

Anita nodded, though her head felt like it weighed a hundred pounds. "I understand."

Anita has made her move. Now she just had to survive long enough to see it play out.

...

The night air was devoid of its usual freshness thanks to the reek of tobacco, alcohol, and whatever nameless abomination these wayward people decided to settle for.

Anita had just stepped out of the club, but she didn’t seem to notice the air. She was lost in thought. Her meeting with Lord Ravenswood had left her half-hearted and unsettled. Now, anxiety gnawed at her insides like a beast with too many teeth. She had made a deal with the devil, without knowing the full cost.

What would he ask for in the future?

He’d said he didn’t want money.

Then, what else did she have to offer? her body? Her shares? Her connections? Family name...?

Her stomach churned.

No, not her family name. That name had already been dragged through enough dirt to fertilize a cemetery. Her connections were thinning by the day – that is, if she still had any. Her shares...well, she has none, and her body...

Anita clenched her teeth. A bullet to the skull would be a nice death if he knew she was infected.

Anita shook her head—she didn’t know what he wanted.

That was what terrified her most. Lord Ravenswood didn’t operate within the bounds of predictability...

Suddenly, a hand closed around her wrist and yanked her off the sidewalk.

"Ah!" she gasped. Before she could register what was going on, she was dragged into a narrow alleyway between two buildings.

The grip released, and the person spun around.

"What the—?"