Bound by the Billionaire's Terms

ia's

===

o.

lips before I cou

raction of a second, then returned wi

ing my arms. "I'm not signing

ing. "Interesting choice, consid

e he already knew I'd come crawl

napped, grabbing my bag. "Please

th as silk. "Oh, Sophia. You and I bo

y heart hammering against my ribs. Outside, the city was alive with its usual ch

t the sound of Damon's wo

my advisor, Mr. Brooks, ca

s?" he asked, sliding an

instantly-the bank.

ued, his voice calm but firm. "But they're

ands. Foreclosure Notice. The words gl

whispered, barely

be honest with you. Without a significant influ

lls close in. "There has to be a

usted every option. The gallery's financial hist

The gallery was my father's legacy

. Brooks said carefully,

knew what he wa

tinued. "His offer... it

regretting telling you about it," rolling my

on't have to like him, but you can't ignore the opportunity. Thin

the gut, serving as a constant

hate m

arranged paintings, sorted through invoices, and cleaned every surface until my hands

ell past midnight. The city outside had qu

and turned to leave wh

through the space, fo

led out, my vo

espo

eight-and crept toward the sound. My pulse

ar, and the faint glow of a

uted, my voi

y caught a glimpse of the figure-tall, hooded, and fast. They shov

ed everywhere, drawers yanked open. My father's private colle

unassuming painting I hadn't

ight so hard my knuckles ached. Then, I took

d by that time, the adrenaline had wor

stolen item?" one officer aske

. "It wasn't even on display. It

thing unique about it? His

ond where it had been stored. "It belonged to my father's col

low up," one of them said. "In the meantime, you might want to check with any family or sta

thanked them as they left, though thei

floor, staring at the empty spac

? Why would someone risk bre

l further, a knock at the

t the clock

sed the moment, I open

re, looking completely un

manded, stepping into the doorw

break-in," he said,

ling stunned by his knowle

nfuriating. "I

to argue. "Well, thanks for

ne," he said, his

e the way his gaze made me feel ex

oorframe, his expressio

. Let me guess-this is where you remi

er. "This isn't a game, Sophia. Whoever bro

you know

for a moment. "Ca

back of my neck. "Why do I get the feeling you

n't change the fact that you need protectio

orn between anger

"Think about what you're risking. Your gallery. Your

ng because they were true,

my voice barely

sked, his tone inf

," I snapped. "But don't think

s eyes stayed serious. "I

shut between us. And as I leaned against it, I f

with the devil and I know as fr

I really