TER

LFI

.. I'm n

ortune's cracked lips. Her voice

pes only b

eyes didn't flinch. He tugged the last knot around her a

oke and heat. Her back ached, her arms numb from being bound be

s the

heavy head an

cracked stone floor like it belonged in a medieval dungeon. The air was suffocating. Heat

as a wide pit bla

he heat was unbearable. It soaked her skin with sweat and filled her lungs with dread. She w

s of gold and crimson, casting long shadows behind him. His black shirt clung to his powerful frame,

er voice cracking, "I'

iled off mi

e wasn't

ever

ting his head like he was examining a specimen in

u are Emily Carter or her twin, her ghost,

ard. Her heart thun

as calm, low,

of Zeke Zee Armani, he who owes Zek

She realized that he wasn't interested in the truth or anythi

t dust from his hands, then turned his

ting lazily. "That is where you'll

s blood

ed. "Twenty four hours. If my money do

lance of pity, he walked out. The heavy stee

s alon

with t

scratched her throat with every breath. Her dress was soaked with sweat, the once luxuri

dn't be h

posed to happ

suite to settle a score. She hadn't planned to wear her face,

re and no one was

used to cry. Not in front of the

cing her breath into slow, shallow pulls. She

voice hadn't wavered once.

t paid, he woul

the fire filled the dark chamber. Every now and then, fo

joints keeping her from full rest. Her skin blistered from

nown hour the do

ret

elegant, dangerous. A crystal glass of liquor hung in his hand. Hi

ill alive,

nted?" sh

ronger than I tho

, swirling the amber liquid in hi

r chin. "How much

ld and proud. "You

ly. "How much is t

replied softly. "How do you wan

sed face. Her voice cracked when she spoke next. "Yo

power. To hold someone's life between your fingers. T

on, but she didn't lower her ga

w. "Are you giv

ill get my father

er pay it willingly. But w

whispered. "My ash can

as q

scanning her face like he was seeing

to fuck with

hat can't fuck twice a nigh

long moment. The fire

iet scoff, he t

oice unreadable. "I ain't fu

et me out?"

pau

he replied, then disappeared through the

k click