to-ceiling windows felt like mockery. Freedom glittered out t

e three-I'd st

a silent threat. I hadn't signed it. Not yet. Bu

to call safety-was compromised. Damon claimed the Black

ed him. That's what t

es, sitting curled up on the designer c

made my heart stutter.

mo

esence pressed against me like invisible steel.

aven't

hat unnerved me more

not h

d that y

k at him. The silence stretched until it f

mm

hreat, no command. But i

readable. Like he'd built walls around him

nt from me?" My

ady tol

outside contact?" I laughed hollowly.

ke I was a puzzl

live beca

ad slowly. "I'm tra

ind his eyes. Regret? Doubt? I couldn't tel

His voice was low, too calm. "

sita

to beli

knew I

had already c

don't tr

pa

st." He turned away. "

w those wo

word. The door clicked

I br

lost. For the choices I didn't have. For the terrif

eeves might've

ut there, someon

I sat there before exh

same spot. The penthouse b

hing was

o

. Fresh, untouched.

at

y him-but because hunger cl

y beside

. 10 AM. Don't mak

I glanced a

42

silent hallway. Every step felt heavier.

ce door

pped

fr

tching the sharp angles of his jaw. He didn't look u

you'd come,"

into my lungs

finally

it

bey

ing the exact second to strike. Ye

d, his voice low. "This isn't a negotiation. The mom

llowe

Keeping you here?" His

let

N

ath hi

their hands. Not after what hap

wh

le

tood, pacing slowly behind the desk l

step you take. Every call. Ev

voice cracked

id softly. "Until someon

eyes. I didn'

ispered. "What do y

onto mine, merci

e. Follow my rules. And trus

ead. "I can'

thing dark crosse

fear

r turn

ook away. I wa

your pr

p acting

silence between

suddenly, the

onight," he said, voic

walke

ng me

ai

came t

n no matter where I turned. The city sparkled beyond

t waited on

at it f

rds echoed

ar

y a

freedom. No l

ed away... wo

ng. My hands trembled

t choos

oosing s

vered abov

-I s

oked small

lick mad

the doorway, wa

hat he lo

e staff prepa

Not

erence felt

e, too exhau

said quietly, "You

'd had

steps fading in

ce this nightmare began, I