Velvet Chains: Will it break?

evil'

nd hush - away from the auction floor, away from the c

er heels like a drumbeat

roe didn't ru

double glass doors frosted with his initials: CB - a b

and cold night air. No cologne could bottle that - that was simply Cassia

orth, Elara," he said softly. So

shed open

-

the city glittering beneath them like a bed of diamonds. In the center of the room, under a halo of golden light, stoo

e urge to shiver at the view - or at

ht," he murmured by her ear. "So I

"I don't perform on c

ating curve of lips that made her fee

rform. I'm asking you to

the suffocating luxury. "Six months for wh

eyes pinned her in place - dark and endless. "My muse. My storm. Paint

k checks. A contract with her

gallery outright. It remains yours fore

reedom. Security. Everything she'd begged the u

his generosity?" she dem

didn't touch her - just hovered, close

hs living under my roof. Painting what I say. Go

fell, rapid, caged.

Didn't flinch. His eye

gallery and your wolves at the door. And you lose

led, mocking her - thousands of people down there w

ot in her throat. Look

hs. Nothi

something dark, dangerous, a

agreed. He offere

orld trembling beneath her f

ed like velvet