t coordinator said, frown creasing his face. S

t the tank edge wer

o block them. Face a mask of theatrical panic. "Don't you da

bility. "Ron! For God's sake, call cut! How l

or. Saw still water, concerned faces. Blood drained

ference had cost

sive steel door of the soundstage w

apped toward

oon light. Immaculate Tom Ford suit that cost more than

terrupted: "Sir, I'm receiving a live feed from the studio's security cameras. Miss Costa is on the platfor

with a single raised hand. Watched the assistant creep up behind Kelsey. Watched the push. He'd

scene. Still water. Panicked c

't say

he moved, he ripped off his tie. Unbuttoned his

efore him like f

film crew, the billionaire titan of industry-without br

in a clean,

mbled back and fell to the ground

ly-pale, lifeless form sinking into the abyss. Wrapped a powerful ar

he concrete floor. Limp. Lips blue. Face

tion he hadn't felt in

arted

Drilled in survival skills after a childhood incident he

his breath. Tilted her head back. Pinch

ything to do with desperation. He forced air into h

ai

nd breath,

e. She spat out mouthfuls of chlorinated wa

s brea

around Burleigh's he

. Wrapped it tightly around her shivering body. Then

ned director and whimperi

ve a word for it. Contract called her a possession. Reality was something far more c

His voice was the s

me. Every hour of my time. Every bruise on her body. I will ma

walked away. Left

t outside the soundstage. Inside, warm, quiet, luxurious. Laid

entle. Cold, clammy skin. Pale lips. He'd a

rose from her skin. Amplified by warmth. Faint, cl

nt he

for five years. The girl in the rain.

It had alw

es trembled. Her eyes-stormy sea

m hers. Handsome features a mask of emotions

methin

oked terrifyingly