THE SURROGATE FOR THE CEO

eets blurred past the tinted windows, but all she could see was the

n in a dying

was standing by the grand piano, a glass of scotch in his hand, staring out at the sky

ly," he noted, n

y's voice rang out, sharp and

expression was unreadable, but she saw a flicker

e asked, his voice

ts at her sides. "I went back for my jacket. I heard you and Dr. Aris.

d been dusting a nearby shelf, gasped softly and immediately

arp clink. He walked toward Lily with slow, deli

ping," he said, his

shouted, refusing to back down despite the fear coiling in her stomach. "Did you

smell the scotch on his breath, see the exhausted lines

"My health is irrelevant to our contract. You g

ack. "What happens to me when you die, Adrian? What happens

enuinely rattled. His jaw tightened

my child," he said, his

from the front of the penthouse. The sound of shatter

tion. He grabbed Lily by the arm

ck," he

ski masks stormed in, holding baseball bats and a crowbar. Th

a message from your brother. He's tired of waiting for y

blood r

lethal calm. "Tell Julian if he wants my company, he can

n't send us for the company, Blake. He sen

nto Lily behind Adrian.

the

ged forward, grabbing the heavy crystal decanter from the piano and s

ther two

bat away from the second attacker. "Get

swung a crowbar at Adrian's head. Adrian dodged, but the edge caught h

n pain. He just kept f

her bare feet slipping on the cold marble. She could hear the sounds of a bru

the door was locked with a heavy steel deadbolt. Her han

t before she could step inside, a rough hand grabbe

ht up to her. He reeked

ound her waist and hoisting her into the air. "The boss wants

icking and thras

her

ll, covered in blood that wasn't his own, breathing heavily. He he

around Lily's throat. "Put the gu

drian said, his voice terrifyingly calm. He aimed the gun directly

his heart hammering against her back

wo

she stumbled and fell to the floor

thug yelled, raising hi

. The sound

thug's head. The man yelped, turned, and

g. For a long moment, the only sound in

k avenger, bloodied and dangerous, but when he crouched down besid

his hands running over her

lling down her cheeks. "No. No

is jaw tight. He helped her to he

ling billionaire was gone. In his place was a man who ha

red, her voice trembling. "Julian knows.

d the gun at his waist and pulled her against his chest. Th

low vibration against her ear. "I will burn this