Her fingers tightened around the railing as her mind replayed the events of the past few hours. The coldness in Alexa

y beneath her. She had to be strong. She had to stay focused. But all she could think of w

use in dwelling on what she had done. The decisions had been made. But t

He didn't look at her as she approached, but she knew he had heard her coming.

off, not sure if she wa

replied without look

matter. If Alexander wanted him gone, Adam would be gone. She was no

unreadable. "You don't look like you've com

anger that threatened to rise within her. "I don't need you to

choice, but you've already started walking down the

too close to the truth. She was in too deep now. Alexander had made sure of that. The world she had o

She couldn't stand the suffocating air around her

hallway, she froze. Standing in th

xan

ve as she approached, and his lips

" he said, his voice smoo

her chest refused to subside. Instead, she just nodded. She didn't

s world doesn't have room for hesitation. You either take what's offered, or you fa

ll the faint trace of his cologne. It was intoxicating. But it wasn't just the scent that made

d, his tone almost casual, though

Not in the way he thought. She regretted the feeling of being

, her voice barel

was toying with her, playing some twisted game. "Good. You'll need

gly gentle. Isabella tensed at the contact, but he didn't pull away. Ins

between them growing smaller, until it was just the

he murmured. "You've changed, Isabella. And that cha

ding her in place. The air between them crackled with an ene

he whispered.

ng open, and Marco stepped inside. His eyes flicke

co asked, his gaze

remained on Isabella's face, and she could feel

voice low and decisive. "But whether or n

, that she didn't know which way to turn. One part of her wanted to break free, to escape this world and all that it entailed. But t

Alexander continued, his voice a low, vel