had been a lingering shadow in her mind ever

a veiled threat or a chilling note left a

y as she pressed her back against the damp br

e, yet her instincts screamed that something was terribly wrong. Th

ss, dressed in black, his face obscured by the shadows. The glint

inct surged stronger. She turned on her heel and ran. Footsteps pounded behind her. She darted through the alley, her heart hamme

nted under the dim streetlights. "You should have stayed out of it,

o strong. The knife lifted, aiming for her throat.

ground. Isla gasped, staggering back, her wide eyes darting around in confus

detachment. Then he turned to Isla, his gaze locking onto hers. "You have a habit

e she could react, he grabbed her wrist, his grip firm but not painful. "Let go of me!" she snap

slightly, his expression unreadable. "You don't have a choice." B

sla barely had time to struggle before Adrian maneuvere

the window, but the

filling the confined space. He leaned back, watching her with an unreadable expression.

to your past?" Adrian exhaled slowly, as if her words tested hi

Her blood ran cold. "And you expect me to believe you did it out of

sucked in a sharp breath. The possessiveness in his voice, the certainty

ned in, closing the distance between them. His voice dropped to a low murmur. "You'll learn." The car

acing. The city blurred past the tinted windows, the

ther lightly tapping against the leather seat, as if contemplating something far beyond her understanding. She couldn't take it any

ffed. "You think you can just lock me away, and I'll forget everything?" A low chuckle e

mach tw

in whatever game

Aren't you? You stepped into this world willingly, Isla

ling to let him see her f

er who just saved your life." The car came to a slow stop in front

ack now. The moment the car stopped, Adrian stepped out first, extending a hand toward Isla

through the heavy front doors of a grand estate. Inside,

r and something faintly

ide otherwise," Adrian announced as they reached a large suite. "Make yourself comfortable.

dry, but she lifted her chin. "I won't stop fighting you." Adrian chuckled. "Good. I wouldn't want you to." With