legs to my room. It was a gilded cage, filled with beautiful things I didn't want. I stripped off the black gown, letting it fall to the floor li

he kick a dull throb. I felt fragile, breakable. The girl who used to laugh with customers and count tips at the end

a knock. Harrison stood there, dressed in a black silk

enged, Scarlett," he said

He reached out and took the towel from my hands, tossing it aside. He ran his

istant. "The Admiral. It reminds me of

, but it was controlling. He was pinning me, reminding me of my place. It was a different ki

s lips close to my ear. "No one can

o mine, I saw it again. A flicker of something raw and unguarded in his eyes. It wasn't just control or cruelty. It was pain. A deep, p

me again. She looked eve

said, wringing her hands. "But you de

nlit alcove, a place

his father was a monster. He did things to Damien, terrible things. He was raised to believe t

impossible expectations. His father had been a powerful, ruthless man, just like Harrison, bu

covert mission. Your father saved his life. I think... I think Damien worshipped him. And when your father turned his back on him, chose his principles over the

s cruelty, but it explained it. He wasn't just punishing me.

mother had taken a turn for the worse. Her doctor'

for Harrison. I found him in his office, on the

y voice trembling. "My mo

s conversation as if I wasn't there. When he f

e said

understand. She

s building," he stated,

eaded, tears welling in m

arm, his fingers digging into my flesh. "You will not leave me," he snarled, his face a mask o

ng. For my mother. For myself. I

I slipped out of my room and headed for the service elevator, I passed

e thinks he's her white knight. Let him. It keeps him occupied." There was a pause. "

d by him. A test of my loyalty. A game to manipulate a good man who was only trying to help. H