ked over, grabbed her by the collar, and dragged her to

resisting. Struggling would've probably led to wo

d up, got dressed, and came out, only to find Rya

re," he

Mr. Ryan, I was forced to agree to be your se

, the situation was pretty clear now. Echo's carefre

he spoke in a low voice,

g blue, Echo felt a surge of defiance rise within her. Being a servant w

mewhere else to stay. If you need a bedmate, I'll let Hawk and the others kno

ot a lot

eact before a surge of an

lamped down on it, yanking her backward with such force

a second, but it felt like it had pierced her very bones, cutting off her breath. Lying there, gasping

ating, forcing a muffled groan out of her. Despite the fog in her mind, Echo's senses snapped into sharp focus as she felt those st

ame was like a mountain, she cou

ile one of his legs completely subdued her legs. His other hand tightened around

ure in her chest growing unbearable. She locked eyes with his icy

seated stubbornness and defiance shone through. If he wanted to talk, they c

near, she didn't cry, panic, or show fear. All he saw was that unyielding defianc

ushed deep red, her mouth gaping in a desperate attempt to breathe, but no sound came out

. He knew exactly how much pressure he was applying, e

till showed no sign of backing down. It was something even many men had failed to do under his han

ing desperately for air. She knew she had just taken a trip to the ed

rate as he said, "You have no right to bargain wit

vering determination. She tried to speak, to respond to h

ruly meant to kill her, and he hadn't

ms, yet her expression remained so res

his eyes as he said slowly, "You've got guts." As he spoke, he shift

ly focus on catching her breath. She heard Ryan's words but didn

aving a backbone is a good thing, but if you use

no difference between men and women-there are only enemies and those who belong to me. You'd better understand that. I never go easy on women, and I don't pity the we

died, she couldn't help but raise

follow orders. I just stole a ruby from you. Whatever it's worth, I'll pay

eached out to gently touch them, feeling her flinch beneath his fingers. His brow furrowed slig

teal a ruby; you stole the Dark family's re

e made her take the job. Everyone knew Ryan was fiercely protective of his people and possessions-cros

ingers slightly harder against her injure

driving me around on this trip to Southeast Asia, you wouldn'

eat, it was a statement of fact. She raised her eyebrows and, with a rasp

cheek. "I like smart people. That's one o

he ultimate authority. But Southeast Asia, with its wealth, had long been a battleground for v

how powerful the Dark family was, in this new and unfamiliar land, they we

wo attacks on his first day here made it obvious that

in escaping death, Ryan was undoubtedly increasing his odds of survival

expression, his eyes grew cold as he pressed