Shadow of love and power

ke the memories. Adrian's strange behavior, those cryptic words from Marcus Kane, and

ce our heated argument in his car. Even though I thought keeping some distance was

right in front of me on the coffee table. I should have felt lucky. Half a million dollars for just six months of my life should have sounded ama

perfect as always. His fitted suit hugged him just right. But somethin

d, breaking the

saw his intense

ntract on the table. "I need yo

me like a ton of

om him. He's dangerous," Ad

him," I responded quickly, "but honestly, sin

tightly. "This is

ect me to just follow your orders without know

arcus and I have a past. Th

up. "I'm tired of being kept in the dark

eyes softened for just a second, showing a hint of vul

s is for your own good,"

on. "Fine. But don't expect me to pret

t about controlling you. It's about keeping you safe. Marcus

oes he want

tween us was thick with tension. Just then, his phone buzzed, bre

s," he said, headin

to understand Adrian, the more confusing he got. His life felt like

red back at me. Was it worth it? Sure, the money c

e buzzed. I picked it up, surprised to

vet Room. Midnight.

words. There was no name attache

-

e. To stay safe in Adrian's penthouse. But my curiosity couldn't be pushed aside.

y, dark, and full of secrets. The smooth sound of jazz pou

booth, looking as shar

ding as I walked up. "

my nerves twist. "Why

still smiling. "Because you

uth abo

ut this whole arra

tougher than I felt. "An

lose," he replied. "Adrian,

ers down my spine.

smile going away. "Did he e

ringing a bell. "He

what it truly was? Do you know how ma

my head,

"Adrian Blackwood isn't who you think he is,

just making stuff up," I stamme

omething feels off. Why would a guy like Adrian marry yo

e doubts I had were

s continued. "When he's done using you,

s but held them back. "Wh

uth," he said. "And I want to see A

re. Before I could react, a

ian, looking darker th

m but in a dangerous

Ah, Adrian. Alway

, focusing solely

f the club. The ride back to the penthouse was

ian finally spoke. "W

imed, my voice shaky. "You

d idea?" he shot back, clearly angry. "Do

k of the secrets, Adrian! If you won't

t. Then he said quietly, "

nt chills do

alized I might have