ling overwhelmed by the events of the past few days, she curled up on the couch and hugged her knees. The only sound in the room was the ti

it. Adrian Gray. A shudder ran down her spine as his name flashed on the screen. Though she made an effort to persuade herself that l

the screen. Letting go of him and forgetting his penetrating blue eyes and the sensation of his

tmares w

that had resurrected them, something about the way he gazed at her as though he could see right through her well-polished

uzzed once more,

e line, low and recognizable, "Ma

swallowed. "Adrian, I don'

ceful but gentle tone. "I've made

her lip. Adrian was not your typical man. She was afraid of him because he was intense, erratic, and had a da

d. "But I'm not going

r a moment. "I didn't think you would. Meet

ore she could say

as of the city. The bell above the glass door jingled quietly as Maya pushed it open and entered. In contra

meanor, he stood out from the rest of the laid-back diners in the intimate setting. However, the t

greet her as she got closer. "

to the seat across from him. "You

d tell there was more going on here than just seeing her again by th

her, saying, "I didn't drag you here jus

afraid about. She had no intention of becoming sucked into Adr

topped, looking into her eyes as if he was looking for a sign that she would understand

clined in her chair. "Why me? All I do is wai

e observed how you conduct yourselves. You're shrewd, resourceful, and not easily intimidated

or receive trust lightly, so hearing it from Adrian, of al

someone to look out for my back, but I know who is behind th

because of the raw vulnerability and imploring expression in Adrian's eyes. He wasn't requesting that she play a pawn in a business game

"Okay." "But I must b

aya raised an eyebrow as she looked up. From the outside, it didn't seem like much-just another brick-and-mortar façade among a plethora of identical buildi

lights and the air was cold. Maya didn't realize they were in a storage facility until they got to the back of

aya inquired, her voice al

ts, revealing shelves lined with paperwork, documents, and boxes. It appeared to be

records of my most sensitive business dealings." "Agreements,

t. "You feel like some

ady been attempted. Two times. And they wo

just keeping Adrian's business and reputation safe. This had to do with surviving. There was no knowing w

ough she already knew the answer. Adrian Blackwood had as

ecomes viral as soon as they become engaged. Things will t

om the gloom that enveloped him like a second skin. But there was no goi

voice firm despite the internal

ad captivated her from the start. We now ascertain the perpetra