t of her fear thick in the air, exci

here!" she screamed, her vo

ven one of the guards, the younger one, seemed to flinch, a flicker of unease in his eyes

door, a silhouette of absolute power

a cold echo from the doorway. "Perhaps you should have tho

e turned and

k clicking into place a final, deafening sentence. It was the soun

straint evaporated. Their grins were predat

mble. "Looks like it' s just us, pretty thing. The boss wants

ay from them, her mind screaming. She crawled towards the door, her fingernails scraping a

s deeper than physical. It was a soul-deep agony, a confirmation of h

He grabbed her by the ankle, his grip merciless,

othing compared to the fire of humiliation and despair that co

The fear gave way to a hollow, chilling calm. If this was her end, she

eached for the waistband of her pants

nce more. He was a looming, terrifying monolith, his presence

s wide with a desperate, pathetic flicker of hope.

n a frantic rush. The fight had drained from her. "I did it.

to grab the hem of his perfectly tailored pants

ough his eyes. But before he could react, the overwhelming stress, the pain, and the terror finally took their toll.

center. She was in a private hospital room, the sheets clean and white. Through the haz

, furious roar. "She is a Cordova! Your wife! How dare you subject her

ny secrets," Kade' s voice was c

laced with contempt. "I warned you about her. I warned you this marriage was a bond of honor. If you bring shame upon th

ctuated his threat. Then, footsteps receded down

tered her room. He saw

rled, his voice low and dangerous. "My grandfather can protect you for now, but he won' t be arou

together, shattered again. The pain was a physical thing,

ng. "Why won' t you believe me, Kade? I have loved you for ten years. For te

decade she had spent pining for him, only se

e past," he snapped.

tant accusations, the endless cycle of his hatred. S

d, her voice gaining a sliver of strengt

ten wondered why I could never bring myself to be near you. Even be

se you reek of lies. You are the most calculating, disingenu