d patterns across the polished floor. Despite the warmth of the golden rays, the air felt ic

nd like a haunting melody she couldn't escape. Adrian's words still clu

The woman staring back looked like a stranger-her dark hair mussed, her e

have

oor startled her,

de, smooth and cold. "Get dressed and come dow

footsteps retreating echoed down the hall

ing herself. It wasn't like s

-

fingers brushing against the smooth, dark wood of the banister. Below, the house was eeri

of power and control, his black shirt unbuttoned at the collar and sleeves rolled up to reveal forearms lined w

" he said, hi

she replied, sharp

so piercing she almost took a step back

across from his desk, her palms damp. The moment she

leaned against the desk, his

ow why you

se swirling in her stomach hinted tha

d, his voice low and deliberate.

said, though her voi

e decisions you make from this moment on will determine whether yo

ully in her chest. "Wha

of his lips both chilling

n the air, heav

he asked, though part of

tone cold and firm. "You'll be my eyes and ears, and when I need you to play a

. "How do you know

to know everything about the people I deal with. You

nto fists on her lap

o interest in harming her. As long as you uphold your end of the bargain, she'll be fine

l of fear and anger boiling inside

meeting with one of my rivals-a man named Victor Kane. He's been sniffing

at. "What? I don't know anyth

off. "All you need to do is deliver a mess

ic rising in her chest. "

t'll escalate into something neither of us wants. But you..." His gaze swept over her, ling

e said, her voice trembl

closer, his presence suffocating as he leaned ove

lethal murmur. "You don't have a choice. You belong to me now, and

her vision blurrin

through gritted t

sfaction evident in the glint

twist, but she bit her tongue, knowi

ce returning to its usual calm. "You'll need to memorize ever

-

g to him outline the plan. His tone was clipped and emotionless, his

sliding a slim piece of paper across the

sage short but pointed. Her stomach churned as she r

sed to mean?" she

"Victor has been encroaching on my business. Th

paper. "And what happens if

Then you'll find out exactly how dangerous Vic

forced herself to hold his gaze. "Y

t harm you-not at first. He'll want to know why I sent

don't ma

ovements slow and deliberate. He loom

firm. "Because if you don't, there won't be a cor

ne-something almost protectiv

?" she whispered, unable to k

as he tilted her face upward. His touch was surp

said, his dark eyes boring int

the door to the study open

and an air of quiet menace. His dark hair was cropped close to his head,

nce that bordered on arrogance. She wore a tailored suit that hugg

Elara. "Elara, meet Marcus and Sienna. Marcus is my

head slightly, his e

a hint of amusement, "is my... associate. She'll

lara over, her gaze sharp and assessing. "So, this is the

Adrian cut in befo

d, his voice lac

row but said nothing,

e sure she gets in and out without any trouble. Victo

dded. "Un

-

paration. Sienna had her change into a sleek black dress, one

e a vulture. "Victor's men will underestimate you if you l

anger in her own skin. The woman in the mirror was

d, turning away from the mirr

orframe. "None of us are when we start

s nerves, but before she could ret

said, his gaze

ut obeyed, slipping out of

oor behind him. His presence filled

eady?" he asked, his v

d, her voice bare

canning her face. "Good. Fear keeps yo

heart pounding. "Why are

s expression-something almost human. Bu

said, his voice a low murmur

pine, but she couldn't tell if it

g her cheek. The touch was light, almos

Elara," he said, his

r alone with her racing thoughts

-