g windows, casting long, bright streaks across the

is dark eyes locking onto the woman sleeping soundly beside him. The cold, impenetrable

silk sheet slipped down her back,

pale skin, was a faint,

f a dark, damp basement ten years ago slammed into his brain. He remembered the terrifying grip of the kidn

f the lounge, but seeing the mark confirmed it. The girl he h

rge hand trembling slightly as he moved to

act, the phone on the nightstand e

glance at Bridget to ensure she hadn't woken up. He slid out of bed, his bar

the phone

oice dropping back to its

n division was facing a catastrophic financial hemorrhage. The board of dire

at the woman in his bed. His muscles tightened with the overwhelming urg

m the glass, walking briskly into the massive walk-in closet. He pulled on a custom-tailored suit

ad and a heavy fountain pen. He hesitated. Writing his real name might send her into a

the nib t

for

On it, he quickly penned Alex's direct line: If you need anything, call this number. Your safety is my priority. It was a silent promise of protection

che pulsed behind her eyes. She pressed the heels of he

in dark red marks. The fragmented memories of last night's absolute madness explode

ound. The luxurious sui

dragging the sheet with her. Her bare feet sank into th

of paper and the sleek bl

humiliation washed over her. She had given herself to a stranger to numb her pain, and he ha

metal clattering against the wood. She grabbed the note, not even registering

umb her chaotic thoughts and overheated body. She closed her eyes, desperate to wake up from this surreal hangover and clear her head of the lingeri

shoes. The heel of her right

imped out of the suite, sprinting down the hallway and throwing

he bit her lower lip hard, tasting copper. She swore to herself that

fic of Manhattan. The freezing air shocked her system. She threw her hand

ast," she to

om Jacob, begging for forgiveness. Her thumb hovered over the screen

get took a deep, shaky breath. She had to pack her

ront door, expecting

a. His eyes were bloodshot, his hair a g

The collar of her trench coat had slipped, exposing the

shade of gray, the muscles in