e raced through her ears as the disguised invaders stood still, their comm

ce a blend of awe and threat. "You cannot ima

g her, growled low like a caged wolf. "If you s

"Your bravado is endearing, Mr. Steele, but

ck. "Gabriel," she said softly, her voice cra

fierce determination blazing in his eyes. "Stay behin

ything, the leader flicked his fingers. The sound echoed lik

on her. "The sins of your father have come due

ted in an instant. Ivy screamed as Gabriel fought like a cornered animal, using anyth

the clatter of fists

to the floor. She couldn'

snatched a big glass vase from the table and broke it over the m

rned to her. "Damn i

causing his soldiers to freeze. The room fell si

the leader remarked. "But th

lating. "I do not need to win. I just n

Noble. But unnecessar

ures intercepted him, slamming him to the ground. Ivy cried out, rushi

is tone suddenly sharp. "Or your husba

rd. Ivy's chest raced as her eyes shifted betwee

, her voice shaking with defianc

red with interest. "You'

is captors. "Don't, Ivy! "Y

om tears. She turned back to the leader. "Let him go. Y

r for a moment, then nod

from his lip. He clutched Ivy's arm tightly yet desperately. "Do

his, her token shaking. "And I have no

aw constric

oke calmly, her voice breaking. "I w

s thumbs. "You don't dear make that call," he responded angrily

he first time, Gabriel Steele, the cool, calculating man, was

oning you," sh

. "Touching, really. But we're out of time. Iv

f between her and the masked m

" the leader said, sig

t Gabriel, holding her arms up "Stop!" she shout

whipped toward

ing from unshed tears. "I have to,

is grip firm but trembl

as she whispered

ck him from behind, forcing him to the ground. Ivy screamed and c

exclaimed, he

was immobile. As the intruders carried Ivy to the entrance, her

e," she begged with tear

no words came. His vision b

n the backseat, her hands shackled. The leader

ice full of dread and rage.

d intimidating. "You're more important than yo

napped. "I don't

"But first, you'll have to choose who you

uld reply, the van came to a halt. The doors shot open,

irked. "Welco

ve her like a monstrous creature, its windows gleaming dimly. She tripped a

righter than the rest: G

had

e fell into darkness, she

ved from the shadows, a faint red ligh

said softly, his voice stron

vanished int