Every nerve in her body screamed at her to

eet refuse

n Blac

mbered. He was the kind of man spoken about in hushed tones-scandal, power, disappe

that explai

Maybe exhaustion was playing tricks on her. But as Adrian's silver eyes locked

asn't

sts to stop them from shaking. "What do you want f

mply observed her, head ti

ce was deep and smooth, sliding over her lik

d. "I don't need a

n a slow, knowing

s pocket and withdrew a folded piece of pape

stomach

, though she had a terribl

deepened. "You

gs squee

h trembling fingers. The words blurred together, but sh

evictio

due: Th

of panic cras

ell did he

g friends. The letter had arrived that morning, left unopened on

it was. In

ely masking the fear curling in

idn't loom over her, but he didn't need to. His presence was a force, so

out the things I want." His voice was soft, d

unsettling mix of fear and som

es he w

lowed har

of hair behind her ear. His touch was cool, but

out you," he murmured. "Somethin

oluntary brea

angerous. That she should shove him aw

remained roote

the eviction notice sti

out of

refuse?" sh

e, but his gaze darkened-like a s

nd of the week." He tilted his head slightl

lood r

u threat

t." His voice dipped lower, a dark care

hammered aga

That making a deal with a man like Adrian-a monst

hand, the weight of her reality settled

n't have

d the paper. Her voice wa

kind of

mile was sl

mine,