ngulfed the room, plunging

r ou

nched, fear and pa

ght was closing in, making her

r, and before she could react, a stron

t. Even through the fabric of his shirt,

e let out a

ep, husky voice breaking the silenc

carry such an overwhelming sense of domin

be mustered the courage t

ld clearly catch every emotion in her wide, clear eyes-t

s keen gaze continu

rified, and

ed into a smirk as

cus on how to please m

pounding erratically. Was thi

uldn't see his face, she could feel his arrogant, playful gaze, his natural grace and nobi

his breath on her skin makin

out now. His grip on her waist tightened,

magnetic voice commanded, as he held h

er smile, nodding de

anxious,

ic videos she'd seen before, she

or were a man's jacket and shirt... the air thick with the heat o

, forceful conquest

pped around her had fallen, and cold, r

undercurrent of danger

ng

g out, shatte

d into the room, firi

HH

ed with the echo of gunfire, ab

swiftly grabbing his discarded jacket. Rolling acr

and with piercing eyes, he aimed at the in

bang

wed by the darkness again. Winds howled, and the night was blanketed

*

a start. The room

c pounding of her heart. Beads of sweat dotted her forehead, d

re

r disoriented. The pungent smell of

ing down at the hospital gown she wore, memories of that ni

m still

r opene

oebe's mother,Hermosa, her voice filled with concern as she rus

a sudden wave of dread washing over her. How had she ended

anxious

r. They came from a conservative family-if they kne

prayed that th

dside, her face etched with exhaustion and worry. She lo

t hesitated, unsure if she should ask how she

she struggled to hold back her tears. Just a few days ago, her daugh

ong have I

ee d

ed, ignoring the pain in her chest as sh

ured her gently. Such a foolish child-after everythin

t her mother. Was he really, or was

ng the truth. The

did you ge

ey to pay off the loan sharks." Hermosa's voice trembled with emotion. Her daughter had alm

money? She h

e?" Phoebe asked cautiously, h

you mean,

As long as Gordon's safe

ed, staring blankly at the ceiling. That gunshot... not only h

divine in