e walls of the VIP hospital room. Axel stood perfectly still.

She lowered her voice, ensuring only

" she reminded him. "Your violent reputation is a liability.

ily. He acknowledged that the old woman had played her trump card perf

eyes never left Eleanora's trem

tisfaction. She turned to Jayson

e documents immedi

ulled out his encrypted tablet and began typing

bed. She reached out and patte

m Sterling promised. "The Ste

Madam," she whispered politely. She played the role of the timid, grateful

he hospital room. Her four elite bodyguar

uble doors c

e room instantly dro

deliberate. The hard leather of his shoes clicked agai

ack against the wall, trying to make herself as small as

placed one hand on the wall behind her head, trapp

pered. His breath was hot against her skin. "But

e met his dark, furious eyes. Her hear

he upper edge of her white medical mask. He pres

errified he would rip it of

arned, his voice a low scrape of gravel, "I will personally e

at. She gave a slow, jerky nod to show she

s trousers, visibly disgusted by the proximity.

are moving into my penthouse today. I am

the room. He slammed the door so ha

hands gripped the edge of the mattress to

handed Eleanora her folded clothes and a di

om. She changed quickly, splashing freezing water

Jayson was waiting for her. His ex

corporate office," Jayson informed he

ospital. She ignored the curious s

ting black SUV. The premium leathe

on, and the thick, soundproof privacy divider rolled

. Her fear slowly hardened into cold resolve. She would use this forced marriage. She w