buried deep in the closet. My feet still throbbed from ye

. I lowered myself to the tile, trying to ignore the humiliation burning through me. He

mured, his fingers

the spectacle. Had they seen worse? The thought made my stomac

as nowhere to be seen, but I co

r gently. "There's a ceremony tonight-a

my handcuffs and the leather choker, replacing them with a delicate silver br

he leather seat, keeping my eyes down as Master settled beside

you tonight, pet.

vial filled with clear liquid. My breath caught as h

visor to the CEO of R Group. I need

slipped out before

a partnership I want. Keeps pushing his in-laws' compan

hundering against my ribs. "That's

ot squeezing but holding me in place. His index

d be a reason to kill you." His grip tightened sli

nt!" The words ca

inches from mine, his breath warm against my

hand. I nodded solemnly,

ed, releasing my thro

-

omen wearing designer gowns, men in immaculate suits. Master moved thro

ewd eyes behind wire-rimmed glasses. My fingers kept straying to my purse where the

champagne flowed. I drank too quickly, glass after

le. "You need to get your head on straight," he

voice sounded patheti

me away from him. I stumbled, landing agains

ammered, steadying m

lied, trying to gently extr

I feel so out of place here," I confessed, batting my lashes. "Could you tell

dear. Nothing to trouble your pretty head with." But he began

d into my purse. The vial was slick between my fingers. Mr. Thomas's glass sat j

denly brightened, signaling the end of speeches. I blinked rapi

m," he instructed before melting into the

e person I came with has totally abandoned me," I laughed, the soun

t Mr. Chamberlain mind? The man h

he wants me, he

uietly beside him as he greeted associates. My palms were sl

ter, then set it down to adjust his cufflinks. This was my chance. With trembling fingers, I un

ore it touched his lips, a middle-aged woman with a heavily

then spoke rapidly about some inconveni

lass, lifting it from his hand. Before I cou

s she swallowed. My vision dimmed,

ed, oblivious to what she'd done. "These startup com

n. For endless minutes, they talked markets and products

ssment. "Oh my! Excuse me," she laughed, but the sound faded as

own champagne, concerned.

ce had gone ashen. Her daughter took

g back to me. "I m afraid I have

y smile so tight it hurt.

ss and fled to the nearest bathroom. Inside a stall, I rinsed the poison

lashed cold water on my face, and

. He seized my arm, dragging me back into the bathroom. After

ce inches from mine. "I ought to throw yo

d failed him and an innocent woman mi

oth moved toward the door. In the hallway, people were ru

the poison lay crumpled at the bottom of the marble stairs, her limbs

ng. "She said she felt dizzy and

n my throat. Someone was calling 911.

solid around my waist. "Not he

In the car, shock turned to horror. The tears came witho

breaths. "She wasn't supposed to-

his chest. "Shh, pet. Nothing will happen to you," he whispered, h

around me. I clung to him, desperate for any comfort, even

my room. When he set me down on

egged, clutching his sleeve

ong moment, then nodd

hed out beside me. I curled against him, my tears soaking his

fingers stroking through my hair. "Yo

thing broken inside me. His initials pressed against my skin f

surrendered to the