f the penthouse kitchen. A violent cramp seized her stomach, twisting her insides like

h herself up. Her legs felt like jelly. They gave out instantly, and she cras

f black coffee. The rich, bitter smell filled the room. He looked down

was lined with sandpaper. She gathered every ounce of stren

ice was a harsh, scraping soun

his back to her, taking a slow sip

ing to die right here on this floor. She lunged forward, her

. He kicked his leg back, striking Amalia

t door. A bright red welt instantly formed across her pale skin. She

d over to the stainless steel trash can, reached near the rim, and pulled out

iles, the bread spilli

rambled forward on her hands and knees, grabbed the cold, slightly dusty bread,

eyes widening in terror as her airway blocked. She hit her own chest with her fist, coughing vio

nd walked toward the inner office to report to C

of the remaining food. She stopped chewing. Through

king questions dow

d in her ears. She leaned closer to the door, straini

cut through the air. It was low, but it carried a w

wned. Davi

d. "And the NDA...

tering violently against a wall echoed through the apartment. Amalia jumped, her sh

ster, who had her non-disclosure agreement destroyed, and was now running fo

eavy, terrifying silence in the inner room was broken by a deliberate shift in tone. Chadwick's voice suddenly dropped, slicing through the air with

g. The blood drained complete

nded like a death knell. Amalia looked around wildly, her eyes da

filled the doorway. His eyes were completely black, locked onto

d even raise her hands to defend herself, Chadwick grabbed a

roots of her hair felt like they were being ripped f

rom hers. His breath smelled of mint and cold danger. He look

shaking her head as much

n her scalp flared into absolute agony.

Amalia cried out, her voice cracking. "I bumpe

oticing the crumbs of stale bread clinging to the corner of her lips. His jaw cle

the doorway. "The overseas vide

ir. Chadwick stared at Amalia

opened

. Her knees hit the hard tiles, and she gasped for a

adwick said, his voice dropping to a lethal whisper, "I w

sure of his presence left the room with him. Amalia slumped agai

bread from the floor, and shoved it into her mouth. She chewed through her tears