Expressway, the glittering skyline of M

any ordinary person, but to build an impenetrable, self-sustaining fortress before a global apocalyptic, it was barely a down payment. For the truly restric

ed to a stop in front of mass

air of the Hamptons, and pressed the intercom button. With

op of the stone steps. His tuxedo was immaculate, his postu

thur said, bo

ch at the title. "

ss, but he turned and led her through the dimly lit, opulent hallways of t

doors open and

a lit cigar. The only light came from the roaring fire in the massive stone fireplace, ca

firelight illuminated his sharp, ruthless jawline and

he heavy silence. "An interesting choice for a woman who just extorted one hundred million

rised by his flawless intelligence network; he was

, casually crossing her legs. "You keep a very close eye on a

rself," Kenneth countered, his gaze heavy and calculating. "Y

here to play house," Jessie said directly, mee

rs began to rhythmically tap against the armr

. Specifically, the private, off-the-books shipping routes you run

ers abruptly s

ere his most fiercely guarded secret-the shadow empire he had built to co

ning into black, lethal voids. "And what do you offer in excha

will not only keep you alive through what is coming,

mped around Jessie's throat, pinning her forcefully against the back of the

s breath hot against her fac

He expected her to claw a

dn't struggle. She

ht of a woman who had crawled out of a literal hell. It was a cold, predatory sti

wasn't fearful; it was ancient. It was the look of an equal

y from her neck, adjusting her collar without breaking e

rous, intrigued smirk playing on his lips. "What

ut a black, encrypted USB drive, and dro

ed everything on it acquired and delivered to my es

angle. He was deeply fascinated by her a

letely flat. "Then in two months, you will freeze to death i

ard the heavy oak doors, her ste

d around the b

eep voice echoed th

a faint smile t