Taming the Runaway Heiress

e. Her father had deceived her in the most inexplicable way possible. This wasn't the kind of betrayal witnessed in the swapping of enterprises or the swindling of

t instead lit a flicker of something potent and furious deep within her-an ember of rebellion she never realized

g her closely with an annoying smirk playing on his lips. The backdrop of the gloomy metropolitan skyline behind him only emphasized his imposing presence, making him appe

he knew she had crossed a boundary from wh

y with another woman. The pain of betrayal was sharp, but it was the stinging shame that gnawed at her insides. To know that he had fooled her had purposefully twisted the knife of t

" His gaze remained fixated on her, that leisurely drawl mixed with a taunting undertone. "But I m

fiance. "You truly want t

w, humour flickering in

ng the incriminating photos like an a

en them. Killian's sneer hardened, taking on a raveno

rst time in her life, Isla recognized she was no longer solely a reactive pawn in someone else's game; s

-

lan Un

sweetly as he masterfully negotiated the darkly lighted streets of Manhattan. Outside, the city shimmered with a waterfall of

the gear lever, fingers drumming lightly as if contemplating some invisible beat. His countenance remained enigmatic, but I

on sink heavily around her. "Where are we headed?" she qu

on enough," he said

seething beneath her skin. "You

enjoyment flaring in his gaze. "And you

challenged him further, "So s

eous blue eyes glinting in the glow of st

nsisted, her deter

to face her, the intensity of his stare locking onto he

cheme behind your back," he remarked, his voice deceptive

arks fell with the po

her mind whirling with asto

er meant to be anything more than a pawn in t

ng within her. "They meticulously planned everything," he said, his voice firm. "Your education, your

e revelation. "This is

of any indication of mirth. "No, I

rath within her. It felt like an assault as if she should have alw

s?" she shouted, anger stab

re returning to the road, his manner composed

pt down her spi

sed, anxious for answers sh

ound steadying yet disturbing. "Because, Isla, your father

er street, the mood becoming oppressive as

vested in," he claimed grimly. "And I have

her throat as knowle

that?" she question

garage, Killian shut the engine and turn

id smoothly, "is that this situa

in the pit of her stomach

ce falling to a whisper that s

-

ettling

uorescent lights overhead. Isla stepped out of the car, her senses heigh

re-looking elevator. He tapped a code into the keypad, and

being targeted," he

eart stuttering.

her to follow. When she hesitated

d forceful, mixed with an edge of

to step inside, the doors slamming shut b

he horror that gnawed at her insides. "What do you mean I'm

enetrating. "I mean that someone is going to grea

raced down he

churning behind his controlled facade

azement and horror in equal measure. Screens lined the walls, each broadcasting live security footage from variou

r father, the recognizable face of Alexander, and a third guy whose features were partially concealed. But there was no mis

her's f

reality threatened to

ge of the table, supporting herself a

tantly, his posture seriou

herself to confront the truth. Yes, she knew who he was

eath wasn't only a

ed, a part of a sadistic plot that had placed her in the crosshairs of a perilous game. Just as she prep

privy to h

n on ensuring she