y's

way out. It was either him, or I'd be dead again at twenty-five. I'd survived a bullet, a

take th

ot?" I asked, my voic

he repeated, his voice a low, mocking rumble. "You know, I don't usual

ld," I snapped

h a controlled speed, as if he knew exactly where he was going and nothing in the world could stop him. "You'

s. Sinclair. I pulled you out of a very public fire, and

that surprised even me. "You're worried abo

oing to dump me at the next corner. I

life, not ever." I met his dark, unreadable gaze. "You didn't just 'help me,' Mr. Romano. You

he inhaled his own breath. The Maybach screeched

attered, as if I'd grown a second head. H

oice strained with disbelief. "Young hei

, the motion jerky. "If I

reath. This was it. I had t

e. I would not be tangled up

but before he could form

sharp, "if you're too scared o

his face. His jaw tightened, an

s voice dangerously low. "But I don't want to

is a business deal. My family is selling me to him. I jus

my cold choice of words. "'A new buyer'?

rrying Nicholas Anderson. My family has sealed the deal,

yance faded, and the businessman l

repeated. "And wh

id, my voice finally stea

see exactly what he was thinking: I was just a crazy, spoiled heir

as w

e?" I asked, my voice s

r without hesitation. I q

assing it back. "I'll be wait

e pocketed the phone, his attention bac

home. The Sinc

ced with dry sarcasm. "Oh, r

state. As the car idled, I turned to him. "Hop

old self in full control. "I wouldn't mind a trip down to the

old indifference slipping for just a second. He looked g

n gave a single, curt nod. "Ha

disappearing into the night,

a wall of noise. The hallway was buzzing with panick

s widened. She spotted me, stormed a

rage and panic. "Mom and Dad are losing their minds! You vanished from your

had been fucking Nicholas behind

lling my arm

ok for confusion. "I've totally lost it." I leaned in, giving her