rment I endured at work, yet my mind refused to settle. I had stayed late to fini

ready mad

was m

ded him the final key

ctly what I felt like

roken sob crawled up my throat. My fist slammed into the wall agai

hy couldn't I stand

had shaped

ame his enemy. From the day he first struck me, I became his puppet. From the day

d controlled me for years. He struck me countless times, threatening to erase me from existenc

e. No one did. I never told anyone. I didn't want people

e straight back into the same nightmare, and once

ne. A smile flickered when I saw the name on the screen; Jane, my attorney and dear friend.

ered, my voice r

ice faded, making my

rything

een able to do anything yet." She tried to sound casual, but t

was one of the strongest lawyers in the city, yet

to pile more s

e even worse if y

two pieces of news for you, one good

good

She burst into laughter, pulli

aded quickly. "A

the call had dropped. Then her voice returned, low

ha

hat to the elders. Their minds wer

ng without permission. He even cut

ugh my veins. The room around me seemed to fall silent, swallowed by

you later, Jan

ina, do

efore she c

saw wa

, furi

after I had done ev

waiting through the s

ans

ied

ag

ag

hone onto the mattress with all my strength. It was late. That bastard was probably

ough my mind before sleep f

he darkness that had held me. I blinked groggily, immediately shie

right. T

ast the room spun violently. There were only twenty minutes lef

r fuck

orning routine, showered at lightning speed, and threw on the first

time, I could've secured

I climbed into my ca

you? The meeting begi

on; it was practically human nature. Praying I wouldn't be late, I tore th

the girl at the elevator to move aside. I slipped in ahead of her, muttered an apologetic smile, and jabbed the b

art resumed its frantic sprint right before I sl

with his, my face smacking directly into his

c. Just

st rammed into Jaxon Thorne. His gray eyes narrowed frostily beneath tau

!" I s

ued glaring daggers at me. Not

us swung open and Mr. Cortez appeared. "Ms. Vale, you mad

lked in though not without str

ment I lifted my eyes, my heart dropped a

ntourage. My gaze darted to Mr. Thorne, who calmly shook

ted me. He wasn't here just for business. He

t beside Mr. Cortez. My heart hammered, but more than fear, the urge to punch Creed ma

horne, I believe you know Mr. Creed. He

orne gave Creed the slightest

. Mr. Thorne, you

e front with confidence. I had done this countless t

our bac

ucing myself, I began. The next ten minutes flowed smoothly. When the lights brig

ce held the fain

however,

" Mr. Vanco

at. As Creed's assistant walked past me to present, my chair jerked suddenly

e actua

ean to," she squealed in that shrill voice, but

tc

rtez and wiping myself dry. Just wait until Thorne won th

clearly d

ce cut through the room.

Why?

ea

argument. No

tabbed me. I bit my lip and walked out,

s no better than Creed. Ung

shroom he stared at me far too eagerly, which should've been my

fr

d turned completely transparent.

lamed. My e

hell did I

ne had sent me out. And why that

wanted to fall through th

n't help much in this summer heat. Eventually, I managed to

when someone yanked my arm

eth clenched. "

ike you don't care about those po

t raced. Still, I knew he wouldn't dare touch me here. I

r it takes to secure my empire, some

have you done? You locked those elders away after promising

on them. But..." His tone darkened. "...if you keep acting the w

before he walked off, leaving

led. Sweat dot

at one slip of temper could get people hurt? Why cou

h, I straightened myself and stepped out

Th

rugged off his suit jacket and draped it across my shoulders. He pulled both

s minty breath and masculine scent washe

, "remember not to wear

, he turned a