He was supposed to be her patient. Now she's running for her life with him. Sophia Carter is a top forensic psychologist, hired to study the mind of Chicago's most dangerous crime boss, Damian Russo. But just three sessions in, everything explodes literally. An attack hits the prison. And in the chaos, Damian escapes... taking Sophia with him. She's no longer just part of an evaluation. She's now the target. Dragged into a world of lies, power, and blood money, Sophia finds herself stuck between the man she's supposed to bring down and a deadly government official who will do anything to cover his tracks. Damian says he's not the real villain. But can she trust a man with blood on his hands? With the FBI hunting them and enemies closing in, one wrong move could destroy her life. Or worse her heart.
Sophia POV
"You will be handling Damian Russo's therapy session."
Ever since this statement was made, my life has been a total turnaround. As I stared down through the window of the descending plane into Chicago, I knew that my career was about to take an unexpected turn.
The moment I stepped out of the plane, I noticed a man standing at the gated entrance and immediately recognized him.
"Dr. Sophia Carter, welcome to Chicago. Everything is in place for your session with Mr. Russo," Agent Thompson assured me with a professional nod.
I certainly hoped he was telling the truth. As we stepped into the car, my mind became preoccupied with thoughts of Damian Russo.
Considered by many to be Chicago's most enigmatic crime boss, everyone knew the story of Damian who had been involved in sophisticated financial crimes and is now facing trial. I could only hope that enough security measures had been put in place to prevent any unexpected situations.
As soon as we arrived at the prison, I shook my head at the stark reality. Indeed, being confined in this place isn't good for any human being.
We marched through the main floor of the prison, which was heavily guarded by several officers. As we slowly approached Damian's cell, I felt my heart rate increasing, and Thompson seemed to notice this as he gave me a reassuring nod.
Once we arrived at Damian's cell, Agent Thompson stepped in front of me, meeting my gaze.
"You've got this, Dr. Carter." He assured me, and I responded with a determined smile, turning towards the door and approaching it.
The moment I stepped into the cell, I was greeted by the scent of masculine sweat. I turned to see Damian doing intense push-ups. I noticed a table had been properly placed for this session, and I approached it, setting down my bag and taking my seat while I watched him continue his workout.
After a few minutes, he stood up from the push-ups and grabbed a towel to wipe the sweat from his toned physique.
To say Damian was attractive felt like an understatement. He exuded a dangerous charisma that was hard to ignore.
"Agent Thompson is getting clever, I must say." His voice was deep and commanding, sending an involuntary shiver down my spine.
"Mr. Russo, please have a seat. Let's begin this session," I said firmly, refusing to be intimidated.
"Intriguing," he mused, eyeing me with amusement. "I assume they haven't told you everything about me."
"I believe I know enough. You're Damian Russo, Chicago's top financial criminal. Your network is unprecedented in this city. I'm well-informed about your activities," I replied coolly.
He made his way to the chair, a cocky smirk playing on his lips as he sat down with an air of authority.
"I suppose they conveniently left out the part where seven other therapists before you met unfortunate ends." I gasped at this revelation, instinctively glancing at the camera.
"Judging by your reaction, they didn't share that information. Thompson must not value your life very much," he said, shaking his head in mock disappointment.
"Touch her, and you're dead, Russo," a voice warned through the room's speaker.
"I have no intention of harming her. I find her... quite intriguing, actually," Damian replied, his intense gaze making me swallow hard.
"Let's focus on the session," I said, clearing my throat and retrieving my notes.
"How old are you, Dr. Carter?" The question caught me off guard.
"How did you know my name?" I asked, momentarily thrown.
"Your documents," he said, nodding towards the papers on the table. "Your name is clearly visible on the letterhead."
"Right. Moving on... How are you feeling today, Mr. Russo?" I attempted to steer the conversation back to professional grounds.
"I won't say another word unless you answer my question," he said, his face stern.
"I'm 28," I replied reluctantly.
"Interesting... Tell me, doctor, have you ever truly lived?" The implications of his question made me uncomfortable.
"I've answered your question. Now, it's appropriate we focus on the purpose of this session," I insisted, trying to maintain my professional composure.
"Answer me!" His authoritative tone made me realize I was walking a dangerous line.
"That's not relevant to our session," I said, averting my gaze.
"Your reluctance speaks volumes, Dr. Carter. Perhaps you need someone to show you what you're missing." His words, laced with innuendo, were the last straw. I stood up, grabbing my bag.
"What's the matter, sweetheart? Did I strike a nerve?" He chuckled, relaxing further in his chair.
"Your ego is your biggest problem, Mr. Russo. The world doesn't revolve around you, despite what you might think. I hope you enjoy your time in this cell," I snapped, turning on my heel and leaving.
Once outside, Agent Thompson was by my side, guiding me to a seat. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself.
"I've dealt with difficult patients before, but this... I don't think I'm the right fit for this case. You'll need to find someone else."
Other books by Ezeh Rejoice
More