n't s

breath shallow, afraid that even blinking too loudly might wake him. His breathing was heavy with

y movement stung. But it wasn't the ache in my b

e burned into my memo

out from under Marcus's arm. He stirred but didn't wake. I moved like I had a t

clicked shut behi

en did I

rror wa

beginnings of a bruise already blooming at my temple like a d

routine now. Just another step in becoming Isla Langford, the polished wi

tion could cover the tru

ne else was in

he was in danger. I wasn't capable of protecting mys

looked at me more tha

en us was a moment too long, a gla

bastian Hale had done-or hadn't done. What mattered was what M

o get someone kil

lf, frying eggs and pretending not to notice the bruises that weren't quite hidden.

ce, I kept m

he security guard nodded. I smiled back, me

d as I pressed the button for the 24th floor. Not from fear this time,

gy when I stepped out. Phones rang. Laptops clic

and buried myself in reports. I was good at dis

g the quarterly investor notes

to look up to k

d," Sebas

ed up. "

tood

ed. Too long. Not with the softness of concern, bu

early,"

ork to ca

a good job. Not perfect. The makeup cracked slightly near m

nce room in ten. Bring the nu

s, s

r shift around me. Like something unsaid was

nce after I handed him the notes. He was all business, composed, clear, intimidating in the way p

a habit I'd

led i

hers. But as I started to follow

d, stay a

ice the lim

ing to talk abou

, slow an

hind the last employee. S

ously. But with that same quiet stillness I'd seen the night of the gala, when he fo

did

alright?

I lied,

"You left someth

straighten

of his suit and pulled out a dif

the one I'd given to

panic mingle

aid, offering it, his eyes caref

they could have. And for the briefest se

I thinki

I said. "That

people don't use cards anym

eel solid," I said bef

icked to min

d. "Safe is

It was a luxury

. It stretched a

l be meeting with the Paragon Group tomorrow. Wear

he bruise. No kindness. Just

eel I was hopin

d. "Unde

I didn't glance back. But my heart was beatin

hat he

And he was choo

he was choos

**

e, I moved l

rug. Marcus had cleaned up. The shat

ot the

t. Too quiet. An

spoke. Barely

worse tha

t he was

rd only ever thoug

ntr

speak, his words we

e the strategist. Bu

fro

t me. Just kept c

ws exactly what he wants," he c

grip to loose

I said, voice even.

d his lips. No

we'll see,

al away. I'd lo

de it to the bedroom, locked the door behind me, and sa

as ci

just

stian

I could d

or aff

for

moment Marcus

se he

d, someone woul