nd the dark figure upstairs. His chest heaved, and hi

ed. "You told Mila you wanted to s

ing just a fraction. She could practically hear the gears turning in Essex's hea

ile. She looked at him the way one might lo

in the quiet night. "Did you really think I was still

. "I don't know what game you're playing, but I came

? With your family's bankrupt shipping business? Or are you trying to salva

oward her, his hands balling into fists. "You ungrateful bitch. I'm o

a wave of pressure into the garden. The air grew heavier, thick with t

e distance between them. She didn't flinch.

what he is. Essex doesn't hide what he wants. His power,

ief hiding behind a white knight costume. You're broke, Preston. Your family is drowning in debt

een slapped. He opened his m

r. She slowly shifted her gaze from Preston's face back up to

g almost... intimate. "You couldn't even tie Es

Preston stared at her, his

entire estate... even the way he punishes me, it's more real than your pathetic little 'lov

ilver platter. It was outrageous. It was insane. It was e

The cigar glow paused halfway to his mou

s going to be sick. "You're insane," he whisp

nt blank, her eyes turning to ice.

e you still have legs. Because if I see your face

giving Essex the power. It was his right to p

him. He shot Clora a look of pure venom, then turned and scrambled through

again. The crickets s

ked up at the study window. Essex was still

had just gambled her life on a monologue. If he thought she

moved. Essex turned and d

the manor opened with a heavy click. He

d him, making him look even larger, more imposing. His face was in shadow, but his

a few feet away. The scent of his ci

k. She didn't cower. She met his gaze head-on, even tho

st was just