A

kept playing the same image over and over, my spineless father, staring

t a price tag on my head and handed the leash to a man wh

in th

my face. We were at the curb, and three massive, black SUVs were waiting, their

shook my head, taking a staggering step backward. "No. No, I'm no

ght. "You're wasting my time, Maya. I

on that cheque, Mr. Blackwood. I am a human being, not a business acquisition. You don't get to comm

ning me in his shadow. There was an amused glint in his gaze, a l

moving, does it? I wonder if it'll be qui

ntence. My pride finally took a backseat to my survival instincts. I panicked. I spun arou

around me. He scooped me up effortlessly, hoisting me against

alance before I remembered I was supposed to be fighting him. My heart was beating fast, b

my fists against his chest, but it was like hitting a brick wall. He didn't even flinc

d into the crook of his neck. "You don't just kidnap a

just carried me toward the SUV calmly, while I swu

bed in after me, his large frame making the spacious SUV feel s

iver, not even glancing at me

ling the handle until my fingers hurt

ng. "I need to go home. Please. I

For a long second, those ocean-blue eyes searched mine, looking for the lie, for the manipu

photos, her jewelry, a scarf that still smells like her perfume. If I'm never comin

k. For a second, I thought he was going to mock me and tell me he'd buy me a diamond for every

e a stop at her apartment. Five minutes. And If she isn't back in the car by the sixth

t of his sight. He followed me up the narrow stairs, h

ped my bedroom door handle. My heart was racing so hard I thought it might burst throu

cking for second exits or hidden windows with the precision of a s

s, Maya. If you aren't out by t

er's jewelry. I grabbed my passport from the nightstand and pulled out

shoving my feet into

ck hit the door, making me

a photo!" I yelled back, alread

the pavement of the alley and ran. I didn't look back. I didn't stop until I hailed a taxi

, sobbing out the story of the contract, the $500 million, a

his jaw set in a line of pure defiance. "There's a loophole, Maya. If we get married right now before he can force y

ry me? Now?" I a

said, pulling me toward the door with a desperate urgency. "Come on. We'