al was a blur of tinted

He just kept his hand firmly wrapped around her wrist, guiding her into the back of a sleek, black SUV.

ng windows showed off a glittering city skyline, but the interior felt cold. It was all polished concret

ma'am," a tremb

ay uniform stood there, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. Bes

knuckles were white, and she looked

his deep voice echoing off the high ceilings. He

kly stepping forward. "Of co

per slide the oversized trench coat off her

ime. A flicker of profound confusion and raw terror passed through the older woman's face

d, turning to the man beside her. "Why is s

replied smoothly, though his jaw remained rigid

iliar jolt of electricity straight down her spine. His touch was heavy, possessive, and entirely unyielding.

a king-sized bed covered

ently, pressing her d

her sneakers, removing them with surprising tenderness. He treated her like she was ma

she said, her voice tight as

, his thumb rubbing against her skin. "The doctors said you

knew she wasn't the type to sit quietly and be handled. "You brought me to this fortress, your staff looks like they want to

up, towering over her. The tenderness vanished, replaced by

ng to a cool, detached whisper. "Protecting

ad back to look into his eyes, but she refused to back down. "Tell me my name. T

closer, crowding her space until she coul

strange, bitter emotion. "And we met because you wante

oes tha

inch, his gaze dropping to her lips. The sexual tension in the room spiked instantly, thick and agonizing. Her heart hammered aga

a," he said coldly. "

alked out, shutting the hea

hivering, trapped between the fierce physical pull she felt toward

t sit there. She

he handles, the double doors swung open to reveal rows of designer clothes, expensive

carpet. She brushed her hands against the fabrics, hopi

the very back of the closet, hidden

nd parted the he

e pulled it out and unzipped the top, her breath caught in her throat. Inside were stacks of fol

hands, she open

anding flat on the carpet. She pick

, the wide eyes, it was definitely her. But when her eyes drifted

d next to her f

fully packed bag, then at the cash. She

ring to run a

s. She stared down at the strange name on the page, her thumb

hastily buried the suitcase beneath the heavy coats just a

out from the hallway. "Mr. Vance is waiting f

s she stepped out of the closet. If she was a prisoner in a golden cage, sh