BOUND BY THE BILLIONAIRE

lept, and neithe

loaf of bread clutched in her trembling fingers felt heavier than it should-a crime she never wanted to commit b

own her spine. She ducked behind a stack of crates, hopi

her. A sleek black car screeched to a halt, and before

ruggled, but the gr

it slammed shut, silence engulfed her. No sirens. No esca

n she s

n Bla

steel-gray eyes regarded her with calculated interest, like a predator study

as silk but carrying the weight of autho

he knew who he was. Everyon

to steal," she

resting on his knees, exuding quiet

mach tw

on suffocating. "Tell me, Miss Adams,

d the stories. If the law didn't

ed, voice barely audible. "Bu

omething resembling am

d iron gates, and her breath caught

er gut. "Where a

nly seen in magazines. Gilded chandeliers dripped from the ceiling, casting golden ligh

the top of the

r Blac

s, and a dress that clung to her like sin itself. But ther

Eleanor's voice was

onfirmed, his expr

confusion twisting inside he

tone laced with condescension, "I have no interest in ruining my bod

stomach d

ing closer. "But my hu

aire's ears. "You

ced the curve of her collarbone, her amusem

ation clawing at her. "You're j

ver. "I'm the one

d. This wasn't re

enjoying every moment. "You rot i

the walls

ispered, leaning in clos

r screamed run. But

a rising. "This isn't a choice.

all means, darling. Walk away. Se

nt to prison, her mother would di

e into her, unrea

deal to him? Or so

ky breath. "An

you will live here. You will be cared for.

wed hard. "An

ill be taken care of. Medical

convenient. But the alter

... in how this happen

"Oh, sweetheart. The c

as the weight of their prop

d no c

had to m

austion hit her. The adrenaline, the fear-

her. His touch was warm, firm. "Sit down," he comman

appeared with a silver tray, setting a cup of tea

a smirk. "Drink. You'

d. "Why are you

. "Because, darling, you belong to us

spine. She wasn't a person to them.

ray eyes sharp, assessing. "Do

cating. The weight of her mother's life, her ow

aled shaki

hands together, triu

mained unreadable, as if he knew... this was onl

ped into the lion's den, know