Expressway, the glittering skyline of M

any ordinary person, but to build an impenetrable, self-sustaining fortress before a global apocalyptic, it was barely a down payment. For the truly restric

ed to a stop in front of mass

air of the Hamptons, and pressed the intercom button. With

op of the stone steps. His tuxedo was immaculate, his postu

. Ramsey," Arthur sa

ch at the title. "

ss, but he turned and led her through the dimly lit, opulent hallways of t

doors open and

a lit cigar. The only light came from the roaring fire in the massive stone fireplace, ca

firelight illuminated his sharp, ruthless jawline and

he heavy silence. "An interesting choice for a woman who just extorted one hundred million

rised by his flawless intelligence network; he was

, casually crossing her legs. "You keep a very close eye on a

e to die," Kenneth countered, his gaze heavy and calculating. "

here to play house," Jessie said directly, mee

rs began to rhythmically tap against the armr

. Specifically, the private, off-the-books shipping routes you run

ers abruptly s

ere his most fiercely guarded secret-the shadow empire he had built to co

ning into black, lethal voids. "And what do you offer in excha

not only keep you alive through what is coming, but I wi

mped around Jessie's throat, pinning her forcefully against the back of the

s breath hot against her fac

He expected her to claw a

dn't struggle. She

ht of a woman who had crawled out of a literal hell. It was a cold, predatory sti

wasn't fearful; it was ancient. It was the look of an equal

y from her neck, adjusting her collar without breaking e

rous, intrigued smirk playing on his lips. "What

ut a black, encrypted USB drive, and dro

ed everything on it acquired and delivered to my es

angle. He was deeply fascinated by her a

letely flat. "Then in two months, you will freeze to death i

ard the heavy oak doors, her ste

d around the b

eep voice echoed th

mile touching her lips,