A

was cramping from how hard I was clutching my phone. I was waiting for it to buzz, for a text f

it t

iet of the car. I didn't have to ask what he

It's

ice, which somehow made it scarier. "There is no 'mine' anymore. You were just caught tryin

I snapped, finally turning to face hi

that Bureau, Maya. Desperation did. And love isn't coming to get yo

on separating us from the driver. I was trapped. With

e spying on girls is a Blac

the window, the cool night air rushing into the car for a split second befor

red straight ahead, sounding bored. "You wo

side of the window as if I co

ck into my seat

old me he was dead ser

t because I don't marry for love," Sil

back tears. He wasn't going to see me cry. I woul

e SUV pulled into a massive, circular driveway. "You don't speak to anyone fro

wasn't entirely wrong. Liam hadn't even l

he only pe

a single punch," Silas interrupted. "He's a coward, Maya. And the

scream that he was wrong, but the fight was draining

months?" I asked, straini

I hadn't spoken at all. He reached back and offered

e, despite myself. Everything about the mansion was screaming luxury. It was too much: the

ritory. I was currently in the Blackwood

umed they were the staff. I didn't want to move, but Silas's hand landed on the

ward with a slight bow. "G

ave a c

. Blackwood. I'm the h

ckwood?

d my waist. It was a silent warning that made me gasp and shut my mouth. It

ignoring my glare as he steered me t

m was plain and small compared to the rest of the mansion. It was just a desk cluttered

sturing to a black chai

me what's happening in six month

eboard and poured himself

to get me into the car. But looking at the way he looked while swirling his drin

u trying to flee again, I'll make sure the people you love pay for your mistakes. I'll take

monster,

taking a slow sip of his drink.

t. "Sounds like the same thing to me." I looked around the room, trying to find a

a reasonable adult in this ho

lled to meet him." He paused, his gaze driftin

cking my fingers into my palms to h

red. "The apartment. Did you le

get away from him, a lie I'd crafted in desperation. But

d back at me, his gaze completely empty of any warmth. "I let you go

I rolled my eyes, the brief sympathy I felt dying instantly. Just when

ly have t

cut me off, setting his glass down with a heavy thud. The

sh

ather have my

hell of a distraction, and you're going to provide it.

absurdity of it finally hitting me. "Does this

disbelief. He looked at me as if I were a puzzle he couldn't quite solve. "You're being hel

y think I'd

istant, I want a salary. A hi

ou're taking this be

d a fucki

voice low and mocking to match his, just to see if I

rings and a mind of its own. I'd make him wish he'd left

ired than annoyed. "Yes,

to let it show. Part of me expected him to laugh in my face, which only made

rs, pushing the boundary just to see where it would break. I sat ther

irect deposit. I'll even throw in a denta

dental plan? How gen

ss, Maya," he warned. "You're here to do

vacations, a proposal in six months, and a marriage in a y

That's all I was, and my li

," I mumbled. "But sur

u're exhausted. But don't make it a habit. You will no

e. "Don't be a fool. This house doesn't tolerate reckless voices. You aren't safe