nca'

briefest second, disbelief cracked through the cold ma

nd

t the hell just ca

give

n't time for pride, not with Nathan tightening his leash and watching my every move. Somewhere,

he sa

one n

that

t something when someone touched m

the same. Just one ni

rth

y?" Damien's voice c

I'll be yours. You can

us before he suddenly

he slumped back into his chair, dragging a hand across hi

I whispered under

e mock

rasped. "But never in a million years did I think I'd see Bianca Call

the face. I didn't flinch o

I didn

ould

my life-of avenging my father-I'd pay it. I

that, the laughter drained from his fa

," he sai

tuttered. "

r like a king granting mercy. "You want

e as I sat up straighter

. "Is it tonight? Just the o

to a cruel smile. "Who sai

t my blood turn

aid, "you'll play by my rule

around the desk, every step

n my house, show up when I call, and do exactly what I say. No questions. No comp

as coming. Sti

my persona

for a full beat, I cou

red. "No, you c

n't think this through when you came in here, thro

nk people will say when they see me living with an

't do it. But don't come crying back when your h

, and I gripped the edge of the cha

serious a

have to decide. Sign the contract and walk into hell

r, and my voice barely rose above

out, glancing back over his shoul

nge?" he said.

g me still seated, fr

Damien Sincla

o my face and breathed deeply,

ad I ju

l hell had I go

**

Hayes mansion, something felt wrong. Too much noise.

at t

Do you know how much they co

Cecilia was, clipboard in hand,

she sneered. "Look who f

he jab. "Wha

wants to discuss a contract over dinner. A business contract," she added with a raise

fro

lled N

rea

ince I left his company. And h

He was playing a game. I jus

my skin. "Wear something decent," she hissed. "We're not go

off before I

stairs slowly

ence. Damien was makin

side was he

, my eyes caught the small, w

ription a

oved it into my purse. I'd take it to Dr

t the exhaustion settle in, then forc

ect to find a

I d

d. As if someone had erased the woman I used t

and a maid entered quietly,

me to deliver th

only time I was ever a

ess, hand-selected to remind th

yal Blue. Off-shoulder. Thi

dress meant

t my reflection in the mirror.

n's guards hadn'

look like

. The one who smiled through t

tonig

'd r

bathroom, I shut t

ne last time, only one t

.. what the hell