all

se I believed in it. Not because I trusted him. But because the

y signature dried. An unknown

. Black sedan

confirmation. J

lt unreal, like if I blinked hard enough, Damian Crowne would dissolve into one of tho

ting. The driver didn't speak. He only opened the door and nodded once.

ed windows. I didn't know where

ding that looked more like a fortress than a home. Glass,

jacket off, sleeves rolled up, watching the city lik

late,"

the time.

are t

d heavier than

ng the folder slightly. "

. That's the last time you

I thought this was a

e, each step deliberate. "And I don'

my jaw. "Yo

everything," he inter

nough that I had to tilt my head t

the rules?

es

of

es

know Rul

de when we speak. When

darkene

inted toward the hallwa

om?" I

hink you'd go

sn't

re told

him. "This i

y. "This is control

d fear followed

hange my min

rtain. "You won't. You alread

ce low, almost a whis

ought you because you needed someone t

ath fa

t make me yo

r just a second. "It does. You

g the conversation as

" he said. "Tom

hing. He was settling in. And I wasn't sure whether I was more af

en your eyes. The room wasn't mine. Everything was too perfect. Neutral colors. Crisp white sheets. No clut

e chair across from the bed. Black, modes

akfast at nine

e. He didn'

d out of the room and followed the hallway toward the smell of coffee. The ap

tablet in hand, already dresse

" he said with

ock. 8:56. "You cut

es

't in the

"Read it again. Clause tw

ched. "You're

g distractio

You don't get to de

e pushed it back. He walked toward me, his

You just haven't

"This isn't protec

learning the

You said I'd be fre

ll be. If y

ice sounded when I aske

sting boundaries you

where it had slipped slightly off my shoulder. The gesture was intimate

stepping back.

ate, I felt his eyes on me not constantly

casually. "Public appearance

refuse?"

faintly. "

ast, he hand

re restrict

nitored," I a

gal," I said

didn't warn

ook the

doing this?"

hought he might t

se people hurt you when

d away. Conve

vy settling in my chest. Because part of me understo