appeared to close in, their shadows pushing upon her like a physical force. She was pulled alon

she shouted, her voice cr

s countenance unreadable. "To the beginning, I

p!" She snapped. "Please cla

aint smile. "Patience. Y

th thoughts of Gabriel. Was he still alive? Could he find her? Her ches

ed, her voice becoming steadi

ed softly. "Oh, I

nging streams of security footage. Ivy's breath hitched when she saw Gabriel's

indicating a chair in

ed. "I'm no

I'll ma

n as she sat down, handcuffs tightened over her wrists and ankles, h

her, "let's start with a question. Do

es. "I know him bet

you about the blood he spilled to build his empire?

fluence her. "Whatever he did, it doesn't matter

is gaze piercing. "Interesti

re, unyielding.

a very fragile thing. Let u

er head swung toward the sound, and her pulse raced as Ga

said, his tone

idened. "Ah, Mr. Ste

tightened as he saw her strapped to the c

leader stated simply. "But you can join her.

step forward. "I'm

e and slamming the other into the wall in a fluid motion. Ivy's breath ca

me," Gabriel said c

o hold back. "Impressive. But this isn't a ga

You would have no idea of the realit

isplay a grainy video of two men in a heated argument. Ivy blink

he inquired, her

e leader said simply. "A

d, his fists ti

ed with stinger in his eye

hadowed figure. Words were exchanged, compromises were made, and then the

aking her head. "That is n

ression darke

Afraid she'll see the truth about h

ice like steel. "You have no i

luding the fact that your father and hers orche

ed to Gabriel.

e was answ

s treachery flowed th

" he added hurriedly, his

ghted. "And there it is-

iel snapped, hi

un to care about had played a role in her family's co

l?" she asked, her

g. "Ivy, everything I've done... everythi

ed and an alarm sounded. The leader's smirk disappeared as anarchy broke ou

g free her shackles with a dagger

cting with her intuition. "I do

but kind. "Then trust this-I'll

er through the smoke-filled corridors, ducking gunfire and escaping soldiers. Gabriel'

Gabriel didn't stop, pulling her toward a waiting car. He dragged her inside and slipped

et the enormity of unspoken words weighed heavily. Iv

aid finally, his voice raw. "I

rd. "I don't kno

ity, making her heart ache. "I will demon

a ray of hope appeared through the storm. But before she could r

g for control. Ivy turned, her blood going col

urged, his voice

nning near the edge of a bridge. Ivy screamed as the

out and grabbed

ng like a broken piece of glass. Ivy's pulse hamme

go," he u

m into the frigid depths below. The last thing she saw was Gabriel