Celeste Arden thought she had married the man of her dreams. But when her charming husband, Julian Ward, sells her to a billionaire to pay off his debts, her world shatters. Trapped in the opulent, ruthless world of Ronan Blackwood-a man as mysterious as he is powerful-Celeste is determined to reclaim her freedom. Ronan isn't what she expected. Calculating, commanding, and cold, he treats her as a pawn in his game of revenge. Yet, beneath his sharp edges lies a darkness that calls to her-and a vulnerability he refuses to acknowledge. As Celeste navigates Ronan's treacherous world, her defiance draws his attention, igniting a fire neither can extinguish. But their forbidden passion comes with a price, and as Ronan's enemies close in, Celeste must decide: can she trust the man who sees her as collateral, or will she destroy him before he destroys her? "You think you have me figured out?" she challenged, her pulse racing as he backed her against the wall. Ronan's hand brushed her cheek before trailing down to cup her jaw. "Not yet," he murmured, his thumb tracing her lower lip. "But I will." She swallowed hard, her words a whisper. "And when you do?" A wicked smile curved his lips. "You'll either hate me... or beg me for more."
Chapter 1 Ch. 1
The towel clung to my damp skin as I stepped out of the bathroom, steam curling into the dim hallway. I barely had time to exhale before the front door crashed open.
The sound reverberated through the house like a gunshot.
"What the-" I started, but the words died in my throat as four men in black stormed down the hallway toward me.
"Who are you?" I shrieked, stumbling back as they closed the distance.
The first man grabbed my arm. I thrashed, yanking away. "You've got the wrong house! Let go!"
"Quiet," one of them growled, his gloved hand clamping over my wrist like a vise.
"No!" I screamed, planting my feet and twisting against their hold. My heart slammed against my ribs as I clawed at his arm. "Get off me! Julian will-"
My voice faltered when another man appeared, holding up a gun.
"Enough." His tone was cold and final, a warning that sent ice racing down my spine.
"Please," I gasped, panic swallowing me whole. "I don't know what you want, but you're making a mistake. My husband will-"
"Your husband?" The man laughed, dark and humorless. He nodded to the others. "Get her in the van."
I screamed as they hauled me toward the front door. My bare feet scraped against the floor, kicking wildly, but it was useless. They were too strong.
"You can't do this!" I cried, twisting my head in every direction, looking for some miracle escape. "Julian will find me! He'll-"
But then I saw him.
Through the open door, an SUV idled in the driveway. Inside, illuminated by the glow of the overhead light, was Julian. My Julian.
He was sitting in the back seat, pen in hand, signing something.
"Julian!" I screamed, my voice breaking. "Help me!"
He froze but didn't look up.
"Julian!" I yelled again, thrashing harder against the men gripping me. "What's going on? Tell them to let me go!"
He didn't move.
The pen in his hand hovered for a moment before he finished his signature. Then he handed the paper to someone in the front seat and turned his head-away from me.
Away from my screams.
It was like a slap, the realization knocking the air out of my lungs.
"Julian!" I tried one last time, my voice cracking with desperation.
Still, he didn't look at me.
"He's not coming to save you," one of the men muttered as they shoved me out the door.
"No," I whispered, the word catching in my throat. "No, no, no."
They forced me into the back of another SUV, slamming the door shut behind me. The inside reeked of leather and sweat.
My pulse thundered as I banged on the window, trying to catch one last glimpse of Julian. He stood there, hands in his pockets, staring at the ground like none of this was happening.
I turned back to the men, rage bubbling up through the panic. "Why are you doing this? What did he tell you? He wouldn't-he couldn't-"
One of the men snorted. "Lady, your husband sold you out. Accept it."
"No," I said through gritted teeth. "You're lying."
The man shrugged, his indifference cutting deeper than the words themselves.
I clenched my fists, refusing to believe it. Julian loved me. He had to. There was some explanation, some way this wasn't real.
But the betrayal sat heavy in my chest, a sickening weight I couldn't shake.
"Drive," the man barked, and the SUV roared to life.
As we sped away from the only home I'd ever known, I pressed my forehead to the cold glass, my tears leaving streaks against the dark night.
Julian's figure grew smaller and smaller, but the pain of his betrayal loomed large, eclipsing everything else.
The SUV rolled through an ornate gate, the wrought iron towering high above us. I stared out the window as the car entered what I assumed to be an estate. The sheer size of it was staggering-endless stretches of manicured gardens, fountains that seemed plucked from a fairytale, and a mansion so grand it didn't look real.
But none of that mattered.
Julian.
The man I'd been married to for three years and loved since I was seventeen had sold me. Sold me.
To who? And why?
Did he not love me anymore? Or was it worse-had he never loved me at all?
The car slowed and came to a stop in front of the sprawling mansion. One of the men jumped out, yanking the door open.
"Out," he barked.
I pressed myself into the seat, shaking my head. "No. You can't make me."
He didn't reply, just reached in and grabbed me.
"Let go of me!" I screamed, kicking and thrashing as he dragged me out. My towel loosened, slipping dangerously low, and panic surged through me. "Stop! Stop it right now!"
Another man sighed like he was tired of my protests. "Hold still, lady. You're making this harder than it needs to be."
I kicked harder. "Good!"
The first man groaned in frustration before slinging me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. The cool night air hit my skin, and my face flamed as I realized my butt was completely on display.
"Put me down!" I yelled, pounding my fists against his back. "Put me down, you brute!"
"Damn, she's loud," another man muttered.
The one with blonde hair let out an exaggerated sigh. "Here." He slipped off his jacket and threw it over my exposed backside.
I wanted to thank him, but then I remembered-these men kidnapped me. Gratitude could wait.
"Put her down," a deep voice commanded.
The men froze. Then, like obedient dogs, they set me back on my feet.
I turned around, ready to face the bastard who orchestrated this nightmare. The words were already on my tongue, sharp and cutting, but when I saw him, they died in my throat.
He was...handsome. In a way that didn't feel real. Dark hair, sharp cheekbones, and piercing eyes that seemed to strip me bare. He wore power like a second skin, his posture calm but commanding.
"Done making a scene?" he asked, his voice smooth and laced with condescension.
I blinked, trying to shove past the sudden intimidation. "Who the hell are you?"
One dark brow arched. "The man who owns you now."
The air left my lungs.
"Excuse me?" I whispered, though I'd heard him perfectly.
He stepped closer, his eyes never leaving mine. "You heard me."
"Julian wouldn't-" My voice cracked, and I hated how small I sounded. "He wouldn't do this. There's been a mistake."
"There's no mistake," he said coldly. "Your husband signed you over to settle his debts. You're mine now."
"Yours?" I echoed, my voice rising. "I'm not some property you can buy!"
A flicker of amusement crossed his face. "That's exactly what you are."
Anger surged through me, hot and blinding. "You can't just take me! This is illegal!"
He chuckled, a low, dangerous sound. "In this world, legality is a suggestion. And right now, you're standing on my property. My rules."
I glared at him, my nails digging into my palms. "You won't get away with this."
"I already have," he replied smoothly. Then his gaze dipped, taking in the towel wrapped tightly around me. "And if you want to keep some semblance of dignity, I'd suggest behaving."
Heat flooded my face, but I refused to back down. "What do you want from me?"
His lips curved into a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "We'll get to that. For now, you'll come inside, clean up, and stop screaming like a banshee."
"And if I don't?" I snapped.
He leaned in, his face mere inches from mine. "You won't like the alternative."
I swallowed hard, my defiance wavering under the weight of his presence.
"Good," he said softly, straightening. "Now, follow me."
I hesitated, every instinct screaming at me to run, but where would I go? The estate was a fortress, and I didn't even know where I was.
Gritting my teeth, I followed him, each step heavy with dread.
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