t behind her, the flimsy wood rattling in its frame. She leaned a

as a

aw, trying to wash away his scent, his touch, the memory of his body agains

een. His bright, innocent smile was a knife in her gut. Tears streamed silently down her face,

door made her heart

hitched. It

nding a frantic rhythm against her r

black suit and thin, gold-rimmed glasses. His expressio

ied through the door. "I am Vincent Hayes, Mr. Mcka

from under her. He'd found her. Of course, he'd found her

thin, trembling line. "I h

voice replied

lid under the door, foll

the latest medical report for your son, Leo Costa, including a consultation summary from t

lood turned to ice

umber of zeroes making her feel dizzy. But it was the report that made

he had dissected her life, found her mos

ued, a silken threat. "You can choose to come down now, Miss Costa.

was usin

se escaped her

ust as quickly by a wave of cold, crushing powerlessn

face a pale, grim mask. Walking down the stairs of her

dows like the eyes of a predator. The car was understa

opened as sh

here

had changed into a flawless bespoke suit, the dark gray fabric emphasizing the breadth of his shoulders.

her inside. The space was filled with his scent, the same cold, intoxic

mic, impatient beat against the edge of the tab

finally, his voice colder

t him, her mind

ce of his attention felt like a physical impact. His

"And the next three months. Be my woman. I'l

slap. A commodity. A th

flared in her chest.

rk. "Breaking into a strange man's penthouse suite, throwing

ight. From his perspective, that's exactl

older onto her lap. "Sign i

her absolute obedience, her constant availability. It forbade any unnecess

very sense of self-it was

turned to t

diatric cancer center in the country. A guarantee of paym

laughter, a sound that was becoming rarer and ra

shameful. She would no

provided. The ink was

signed her name. Kelsey Cost

toward her, and gave a curt, satisfied nod. The folder r

look at

f the car. "Notify the hospital.

to a cold, final command,