o: The Man

npour like twin blades. Elara's breath caught in her throat as the engine quieted

ered over th

let it be G

in a dark coat that clung to his frame from the rain. She couldn't see his face t

, each step echoing

s, but something stopped her.

n her window. Not

h, her voice barely above

" the man replied, voice d

ong jaw. Sharp features. Eye

d. Her hea

could

ams," he said. Not

"How do you

e. "Because I

wisted. "Gera

n replied. "

fingers gripped the edge of the

a

escape had lasted

cracking. "Don't take me

udying her. Rain streamed down

d someone to drag y

dn't a

e Mr Gerald. He does

ly? Because marrying a strange

he rain pressed aroun

ast. "And your car's dead.

y part of her screamed to run, to bolt

ed. Shivering. A

"You can choose. Come with me now. Or wait he

y road behind her, the

imbs, she opened her

ide. She barely noticed the luxury,leather seats, soft lighting, the

ngine. "Name's Cain.

runaways in the

ay. "Only the ones he

at single sentence wrappi

ed abo

re you t

t not to

hi

is es

aindrops chase each other across the

y lined with trees that shimmered under security lights. The estate that eme

out, her kne

arble steps, through

loors dark and gleaming, a chandelier dripping crystals fro

was

ing the New York city ,his back to her.., dressed in a

reath c

lipping slowly. He looked so dark and dangerous just standing there and she swallowed. And she knew ,just by looking at him– really

in control. A ma

d she shivered. His eyes were so piercing . Though

like he'd b

aybe

slight bow.

yes never leavin

tepped

stayed

er, each step deli

er chin. "I

are, in in front of me,despite your attempt t

't by choice

ips.Everything is a choice, Elar

sh, didn't you? That no one

"I hoped no one wo

choose me

alculated. Not like the others the

on."I get to make the decisio

around herself. "What

e simply watched her, as if se

give you a life t

art st

n't bel

't expect you to and just so you know I've done my digging.I know everything about you, Elara. Where you go when you're upset. What you eat when

ome digging without permission

away 2 days befo

th, then shut it.

't test me, Elara. You

er eyes. "Is t

in two days. Whether you walk down that aisle with f

t off guard by the

d a tailored suit,his sharp gaze sweeping the room before settling on Elara.

ed. "It's... interesting to finally meet you. Though, I

a faint, po

ased a little. There was no cruelty in hi

ded. "Legal advisor to Mr.

er something into his ear. Whatever it was made Adri

ver. His jaw clenched. His ha

li

the tension ro

'll return to Gerald's estate f

're sendin

the ceremony. Don't

You can't be serious."

o your daddy.A

transaction and nothing e

k about running, Elara. So behave. Or ne

, but he was already turning

e that, she

oing back .Ba