ng match that had just taken place downstairs felt like a distant nightmare, but the adrenaline still hummed faintly in her veins. She opened her tightly closed fist and held the cuf

illionaire with endless resources and a reputation for ruthlessness; he certainly did not make careless mistakes. Did he leave it here intentionally for her to find? Was it a simple tool to m

d failed. A wealthy stranger playing mind games was not going to intimidate her. She spun around, her piercing gaze scanning the room. She for

her solid oak desk, the heavy base of her bedside lamp. She checked the air vents and the curtain rods. And then, tucked perfectly behind the headboard of he

ion, she brought her heavy leather boot down, crushing it under her heel. She twisted her foot, grinding the expensive piece of surveillance equipment into useless plastic and metal pieces with a satisfying crunch. As for

smelling of aged paper and expensive cedar. Carlisle sat comfortably in a massive leather armchair, swirling a glass of rare, amber whiskey in his hand. He was wearing hi

wince slightly. The distinct, violent sound of heavy boots grinding against wood filled his

ing rigidly by the marble fireplace, l

some face. He casually took off the headphones, looking thoroughly entertained rath

erstanding his boss's exceptionally good

another team to infi

whiskey. "Leave her be. She has made her boundari

over a thick, heavy manila folder. "We have completely uncovered her background information, sir. E

ly shifting from amused to unreadable. He rested

ng. "We cross-referenced her early childhood timeline with the specific geographic locations you requested. There is one thing w

gered on the closed folder for a long, agonizing moment. His handsome face remained completely impassive, a perfect mask o

tly, his voice faint, cold